Stumbling into the Best Outcome

Sometimes, all of your extensive planning means absolutely nothing.

For us in Guangzhou, I thought I’d booked a great hotel. At least, based on the pictures. It was in what I’d been told was the best district, at a reasonable price. With amenities we’d been craving: kitchenette; washing machine; gym. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite match the photos. I also overlooked the possibility that there would be a kitchen without any cooking equipment, utensils, or cutlery to speak of. In this instance—yes, I definitely could’ve foreseen that, had I checked the fine print.

Anyway, after unpacking everything following an exhausting end to our travel day, we made the decision to cancel our accomodation. As difficult as it was for me to agree to this move, I can confidently say we’re far happier because of it. Not the most economical decision, but that isn’t the only metric worth evaluating. Sometimes, throwing money at a problem is a solid solution. It has taken me a long while to warm up to the validity of that proposal. If we’re going to be here, we might as well put ourselves in a position where we can enjoy the city, rather than starting on the back foot.

I gave the keys to Mary when it came to choosing an alternative location. Whatever the decision, we would have to roll with it. Usually, I take hours to indecisively choose accomodation. Here, I was forced to let that instinct go.

The verdict? Great call. Granted, it’s a warm and sunny weekend, which makes most places look good, but the location we stumbled into is brilliant. When I searched for the best areas we should stay in, this area never appeared. Not sure why. We’re within walking distance of two enormous parks, with gorgeous gardens, ample green space, and lakes aplenty. Two nearby metro stations service three of the most well-connected lines in the city. By foot, you can also easily reach street food, a wholesale clothing market, two different malls, supermarkets, and several tourist attractions if you stretch your walk a little.

Stumbling into great decisions happens. I can’t take any credit for the outcome at all, but at least I could convince myself to jump ship and abandon my initial plan. It isn’t always easy to part with your ideas. They are usually forged through at least some sacrifice of time or effort. You’re emotionally invested. But it is a sunk cost. You can have the best systems for planning and preparing, but even the best plans can unravel in a second if your fortunes fall a certain way.

This year has been an enduring exercise in cultivating resilience and adaptability. The unpredictability and constant change hasn’t always been enjoyable, but I think learning to flow with it has absolutely proved valuable. Life rarely falls the way you expect it to. That’s just about the only constant you can depend upon.