Enjoying the Unknown

Are you the kind of person who goes on a trip with no plans or preparation? Or do you feel more at ease when there’s at least a loose outline of what’s ahead?

I’ve always been the latter. I like having a rough plan. I like packing a few days in advance. Back in my university days, I even wrote down EVERY SINGLE task on a daily schedule sheet. (Seriously!)

Musu

Planning was my way of feeling secure.

This winter, right after the New Year, my Duch partner and I held a small pre-wedding gathering at home in Japan. It was not a big celebration― just our Japanese family, shared food, and warm conversations.

Although our Dutch family and friends were unavailable due to the time and location, it was still a special moment, and I’m so grateful for everything.

After getting legally married in the Netherlands, I’ll be moving there to live with him.

A new lifestyle. A new rhythm. A new chapter. Exciting? Yes—but also unsettling in a way that’s hard to put into words.

Planwise, we are night and day. He follows curiosity more than schedules. As long as the essentials (like flights) are settled, he’s happy to figure out the rest along the way. Sometimes even without knowing where we’ll sleep that night…

When I first noticed this, I honestly wondered, “Is this guy for real??”

In hindsight, I wonder if my need to plan came from a fear of losing control. So I organized my days, my weeks, my future—hoping structure would protect me.

Somewhere along the past eight years, something softened. I’ve come to enjoy moments I hadn’t really prepared for ― at least, occasionally. Moments that didn’t fit neatly into a plan. I guess this change has occurred thanks to both his influence and mindfulness practices.

I still worry. Overthinking is kind of my specialty. But I’m steadily learning to return to the present moment—to what’s here, instead of what might be.

Musu

Just look back at the moments that shaped your life. It could be a book, a person, a turning point…

How many of them were actually scheduled? How many of them could you have pictured a year before they happened?

Maybe that’s how it is, sometimes.

Stepping into the unknown still scares me. I’m someone who loves quietness, comfort, and familiarity.

But perhaps, beyond routines and plans meant to keep things safe…

…there’s another kind of richness waiting.

Musu

Japanese Blogger

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A Japanese flexitarian, based in Japan and the Netherlands.
Centered around well-being, I share Japanese plant-based recipes, cross-cultural stories, and ideas for a wholesome, peaceful, intentional life.
Mainly writing in English and Dutch.