I used to have a plan, but life had other ideas. We are taught to build our lives like architects. We draw the blueprints in our twenties, marking exactly where the career milestones, the relationships, and the white-picket-fence moments should go. We carry these plans like a shield, believing that if we just follow the map, we will arrive at "happiness" right on schedule. Then, life happens.
"I Used to Have a Plan" is a masterclass in letting go of the life you expected to embrace the life you have. It is a story of triumph, but a messy, human, real triumph. I used to have a plan, but life had other ideas
With a newfound sense of uncertainty, I decided to take a break and travel. I had always wanted to backpack across Europe, and now seemed like the perfect opportunity. I quit my job, sold my apartment, and bought a one-way ticket to London. We carry these plans like a shield, believing
A central theme is that healing cannot be rushed. Olanow emphasizes "sitting with the pain" rather than trying to fix it immediately. The book acts as a gentle reminder to practice self-care—advocating for naps, baths, and "not making permanent decisions based on temporary feelings". Resilience, in this context, is not about bouncing back to one's old self, but about discovering who you are becoming. The Gloss Book Clubs It is a story of triumph, but a messy, human, real triumph