Every morning, I sit down to write the Thought of the Day and Question of the Day—part routine, part ritual, part “let’s see what happens when I open the door to the unexpected.” Today’s post is about what happens when you stop obsessing over the plan (spoiler: everything gets more interesting), and how you’d handle the kind of honest, straight-to-your-face comment most of us secretly dread. Buckle up, because we’re about to take the scenic route.
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Thought of the Day:
A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent upon arriving.
—Lao Tzu
Most of us are taught from a young age that it’s good to have a plan. We write to-do lists, set goals, map out five-year plans—even our vacations come with itineraries. And while there’s comfort in knowing where you’re going, there’s also a kind of quiet magic in letting go of the need to control every outcome.
Lao Tzu’s words challenge me every time I read them. The idea of not being “intent upon arriving” sounds, at first, a little bit irresponsible. Isn’t the point to get where you’re going? But if I’m really honest with myself, the best moments in my life didn’t happen because I stuck to a rigid plan. They happened in the pauses—when I made space for a detour, a conversation, or an idea that wasn’t on the agenda.
Not being fixated on the destination lets you actually notice the scenery, the people, even your own thoughts along the way. It gives you permission to explore, to stumble, to make mistakes, and to discover new things about yourself and the world. Sometimes, when I look back, I realize that the “wrong turns” were the most important parts of the trip.
It reminds me of “You can’t change the length of your life, but you can change its depth.” And if you think about it, even “Most people are like most people—and that’s not a bad thing.” We’re all wandering in our own way, trying to find meaning, or at least a good story, in the uncertainty.
So if you’re a chronic planner like me, maybe try loosening your grip a little today. See what unfolds when you’re not rushing toward the finish line. You might not end up where you expected—but maybe that’s the point.
Question of the Day:
How would you respond if someone said to you, ‘I don’t like you’?
Let’s face it—nobody loves rejection. If someone flat-out told me, “I don’t like you,” I’d probably freeze for a second. Part of me wants to shoot back a witty comeback, something like, “Thanks. I don’t like me either.”, or “What specifically? Is it my quick wit, crooked smile, or something else?”
But honestly? If I’m doing this whole “good traveler” thing, the best response is to take it in stride. Not everyone has to like you. You don’t have to be for everyone. Sometimes you’re the main character, sometimes you’re an extra in someone else’s drama, and sometimes, you’re just the person who asks good questions.
If you want a little more reflection on handling tough truths, check out my post on “What do you think people misunderstand most about you?” or the always-humbling “Do you ever wear dirty socks?”. Spoiler: I do. And some people probably don’t like that, either.
How would you respond? Let’s get honest—drop your answer in the comments below.
Join the Conversation
How do you handle unexpected turns, literal or emotional? And what’s your honest answer to today’s Question of the Day? I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment below, or sign up for the daily email to get tomorrow’s Thought of the Day and Question of the Day sent right to your inbox.
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