This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCF chapter.

If you know me you know that I am most definitely in control. I wouldn’t go so far as to call myself “controlling” but I would definitely agree that I am extremely busy and I am extremely organized, almost to a fault. In order to be successful in my academic and professional career I’ve realized the importance of writing everything down, planning and scheduling every event, keeping myself up to date and informed on what I need to do during the week and always knowing what is going on at all times. This outlook and detail-oriented perspective has carried over into my social life as well as my love life and has impacted my everyday moves. Where others would go with the flow when it comes to entering a dating scenario or relationship, I would need to have labels, defined dates and times and definitions. As far as hanging out and getting together I would need to know where and when and how long. This year I’ve realized that I don’t need to plan out every aspect of my jam-packed schedule but that sometimes it is okay to go with the flow and when you do some pretty interesting things are bound to happen. As the title suggests, I didn’t plan out my entire week or my hourly day to day shenanigans for a week and here is what happened to me…

1. I went on a crappy date.

Yes, despite my schedule I made time for a date, but let’s be honest, I wouldn’t even call it a date. It was more like having some one sided conversation (from me) out at a casual restaraunt and then hanging out at my apartment. Don’t ask me why I let it go on for that long because he didn’t pay for my dinner or think to suggest to do so. I’m all about being an independent woman and I may even deny the offer, but c’mon… at least try to show that chivalry isn’t dead (or is it?).

2. I met some new people by approaching random strangers.

I went out of my comfort zone of keeping to myself in certain social situations and made friends with some interesting people on my bus ride to and from campus. I also ran into some pretty interesting people at my job as a tutor by simply asking them about themselves and what they enjoy doing. You never know when or how you’re going to meet people and who knows? They could be your best friend. I met my best friend by talking to the most “normal” looking girl in my Astronomy class.

3. I actually almost forgot to turn in an assignment and I didn’t feel like a failure.

I found myself on Monday morning realizing that I hadn’t turned in a discussion posting and I skimmed through an article, answering the posed question with general knowledge and what I knew to be truth. Thank God I was blessed with the writing genes and am super talented in the art of BSing it so I was able to slide by, but for the first time in a long time, i wasn’t too hard on myself for being an imperfect human.

4. I met up with some people from dating sites that I had been meaning to see for awhile.

Everyone has those people they’ve been getting to know online, but they’ve simply never met up. I was able to do just that this week and it was a refreshing experience. I also was able to meet face to face with some people that I’ve been talking to over dating sites that I maybe otherwise wouldn’t have the balls to confront or take the time out to see. Not every experience was all in all great, but they were memorable and they were experiences.

5. I made time for myself.

I made sure to focus on myself: my health, my beauty regime and my priorities in life. I was able to exercise by running and doing some floor exercises and I felt amazing from being able to work out any frustration I had or any pent up emotions. I also enjoyed a face mask and a bubble bath and let me tell you, I will be treating myself way more often now that I’ve had a taste.

6. I tried new experiences and foods.

I definitely went a little bit out of my comfort zone this week when it came to experimenting and trying new things. I tried a “leek soup” that was some form of a plant from Ireland and it sounded disgusting but was suprisingly good. I also tried some tapioca pudding and a walnut salad that looked like it still belonged in the rainforest. None of them were disappointing and I’m definitely going to be openminded when it comes to trying different cuisines. I also engaged in conversation with people that I may not consider my “type” or someone that I would potentially date and gave them a fighting chance because… why not?

7. I let other people be in control of situations and sat back.

Normally, when I am entering any type of discussion that is related to relationships, dating or preferences I have strict opinions about lines not beign blurred and a clear understanding of terms and labels. This week I met some new people and I let them decide where they wanted things to go and I just went with it. After all, not everyone has to be boyfriend or marriage potential and not everyone has to be exactly what you are looking for.

8. I slept in for once in my college career.

Guys, I actually slept in past 8am and it felt wonderful. Due to my job and my academic schedule sleeping in isn’t a luxury I can afford to have and weekends aren’t much better because my internal alarm clock won’t let me sleep past a certain time. However, for one not so busy day I made sure to “forget” to set my alarms and to appreciate the comfort of my own bed.

9. I let people back into my life that I didn’t know how to or have th maturity to forgive before now.

This week I decided to forgive people that had been negatively weighing me down for some time and just realize that as humans, we are imperfect and we all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes involve being selfish and not realizing that our actions effect others. I gave friends and ex “lovers” a chance this week by simply hearing them out and understanding their perspective. Just because I’ve learned how to forgive doesn’t mean I won’t be skeptical, but it’s a first step to becoming happier and gain insight into the world of being an adult.

10. I felt free and out of control.

Yes, I felt free but also out of control and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We are absolutely not in control of every aspect of every part of our life and I’ve learned that accepting that will only make me more comfortable with the idea that life is everchanging. Throughout this week I felt somewhat liberated and I was able to recognize that we just have to hope that as life changes it is for the better and I need to make all the right moves in order to reap the rewards and benefits of what life blesses me with.

All in all, I was able to learn a lot this week and I’ve come to realize that not planning ahead and not being in control from time to time is more than okay. It’s very necessary to just let life happen from time to time, focus on what is important and let life do the rest.

Photo credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

EDITED BY JJ

I Didn’t Control Every Aspect of My Life for a Week and Here’s What Happened