I realised something about myself this week.
I’ve become way more okay with things being last minute.
Which is funny, because older me… hated it.
I used to plan everything. Properly. Calendars. Buffers. Contingency plans for my back up plans. I liked knowing what was coming next. Control felt like safety back then.
This week reminded me how different I am now.
I’m back in Malaysia as I’m writing this. And honestly, this trip wasn’t planned at all. We decided last week. My wife was feeling homesick, called me at work if I’d like to fly back home for Christmas, saw flight tickets, and that was kinda it.
The prices were insane. More than double what we’d normally pay. Old me would’ve opened multiple tabs, tracked prices, justified waiting, convinced myself “it wasn’t the right time”.
I mean, I still did compare prices anyway but without the hesitation of maybe not doing it. This time we just looked at each other and said: yeah, money can be earned back. Time like this can’t.
Being around people who feel like home. Eating food that you’ve been craving. Letting your mind unclench. That stuff matters more than getting the “best deal”. And weirdly, I just accepted it without being too anxious about it - knowing that this was the right call for now.
I think somewhere along the way - between running businesses, moving countries, carrying responsibilities - I learned that over-planning was never really about being organised. It was about trying to avoid discomfort.
But life doesn’t really work like that.
Things will still go off-script.
Plans will still break.
You’ll still feel unsure sometimes.
The difference now is… I still feel slightly uncomfortable with being last minute, but I don’t see it as my enemy or a threat anymore.
I’m more willing to move when something feels right, even if I don’t know what’s ahead of me. Even if it costs more. Even if it doesn’t make perfect sense on paper.
Maybe that’s what growth looks like in your 30s. Less tightening your grip. More trusting yourself to handle whatever comes next.
Anyway. Just a small thought from a last-minute flight, sitting somewhere between here and there.
Hope you’re taking care of yourself too.
That’s all for now.
Merry Christmas everybody 🙂