The concept of "spontaneity" is used in the modern world in a negative way and is personified with unpredictability, lack of control, impetuosity. But more recently, it meant harmless surprise and unexpected action. A spontaneous person arouses suspicion, mistrust and condescension among others, caused by the fear that at any moment he may throw something out of the ordinary. According to the unanimously prevailing opinion of society, it is impossible to rely on such a person in view of its reckless unpredictability. Is spontaneity so dangerous, and how to identify this “dangerous" quality in yourself?
Is spontaneity good or bad?
In psychology, spontaneity has historically been explained in different ways. In some sources, a spontaneous person is a person who finds the strength and courage to act in accordance with his inner motives, ignoring external influences. In others, this is an inability to regulate their behavior, a complete lack of awareness of the acts committed. Thus, spontaneity was first put on a pedestal, and then it was rather rudely asked to vacate an unjustifiably occupied place. The concept of free expression of personality fought against uncontrolledness, and vice versa. Both concepts are quite interesting, because a spontaneous personality for a long time caused either admiration or contempt.
A brief moment of the triumph of spontaneity
The scales in psychology continued to pull spontaneity in one direction or another. Some argued that a spontaneous person is a dangerous and unreliable person, because he does not know how and does not want to control himself, while others praised individualism and the ability to be oneself. The end of this protracted discussion was laid by the teachings of Moreno, Jung, and Fromm, who boldly stated that the phenomenon we are considering is one of the driving energies of human existence, and the ability to manifest spontaneity is a sign of a real person. According to their concept, this quality of personality is considered a huge force pushing a person to self-realization and freedom of expression.
The spontaneity in their mouths became a challenge to the prevailing foundations and stereotypical behavior. It has become fashionable to "be yourself", "decide to embark on your own path" instead of the usual "everyone does it, so I must", "be like the rest." Spontaneity finally established itself on a pedestal and was proclaimed the "road to self-development."
Our days. To be spontaneous is not in fashion ?!
Years passed, the masters of psychological sciences, who managed to restore spontaneity to a good name, sunk into oblivion. And again she fell into disgrace of the people, she was credited with such negative qualities as lack of control, impulsiveness and unpredictability. In the modern world, a spontaneous person is an infantile, irresponsible and immature person, not able to keep his irrepressible "I" in check. To be spontaneous - alas! - only children can.
The dynamically developing world crushed us for ourselves and taught us to follow responsibilities, schedules and stereotypes. Moral duty, upbringing, social restrictions bound us on the hands, and we didn’t resist, confident that it was necessary. Even spontaneous speech is now not held in high esteem - everything should be thought out, verified from all sides and delivered through a sieve of stereotyping. And only a few of us find the strength to follow our inner convictions, not hearing the indignant exclamations of society, to move towards the freedom of our "I". But we still cannot decide for ourselves who they are - outcasts of society or real personalities?
The road of spontaneity!
Living in a world of standards is hard and sad. Everyone has the right to fall into childhood for a brief moment and feel free, let off steam and return to their usual life again. For spontaneity, like all good things, must have time and place. How to achieve this state?
- Disconnect the phone for a day.
- Order in the cafe those dishes that you have never tried.
- Walk around the area aimlessly.
- Visit friends you have not met for a long time.
- Take the bus and drive around the streets.
- Put on what you never wore.
- Go to the cinema for any movie.
Such actions will give you a charge of positive emotions and energy. You will be able to feel like a free spontaneous personality.
No matter how much this topic develops, to questions about whether a person is spontaneous - is it good or bad, spontaneity is a danger to society or a form of self-expression, each person has the right to respond in his own way, based on his own vision of this concept. However, do not block your oxygen if spontaneity is a source of joy, movement and life for you.