Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that routine rules my life. From the morning alarms that ensure I have enough time to stretch, enjoy a coffee and some reality TV before work to the self-care Sundays that recharge my batteries for the week ahead, incredibly precise schedules determine almost all of my daily actions.

And while solid routines have long been proven to boost productivity and instil better habits, their lack of spontaneity often exacerbates the very feelings of distress they’ve been formulated to overcome.

Though it might seem counterproductive, opting to detour from today’s world of online planners and task management apps and instead embrace the unexpected can actually boost your mood and overall mental well-being.

According to online health advice service Lifespan, being more spontaneous can help us become happier, more creative and even rewire our brains.

“Doings things differently forces the brain to forge new connections between its cells, boosting brain capacity”, explains Dr Hilary Jones.

With this in mind, this summer I’ve been veering away from routine and consciously making an effort to seize opportunities as they arise.

From a spur-of-the-moment road trip to an unplanned yet wholesome girls’ night in, here are some of the ways spontaneity has allowed me to live my most joyful summer…

How I learned to shrug off routine and embrace the unexpected to live my most joyful summer