We all have that one friend—or maybe you are that friend—who lives entirely in the moment and treats planning like it’s a contagious disease.
Whether it’s about holidays, dinner plans, or even just what to do this weekend, some people just aren’t built for structure. They’d rather wing it, vibe it, or let the universe decide. While it can drive the more organised people slightly up the wall, it’s hard not to laugh at the phrases that always seem to come out of their mouths. If you’ve ever dodged a calendar invite like it was a trap, you’ve definitely said some of these things in your time. If someone you know hates planning, they’ll sound all too familiar.
1. “Let’s just see what happens.”
This is basically their lifestyle mantra. They approach each day like an unopened mystery box, and the idea of locking in a plan feels like ruining the surprise. Whether it’s deciding where to eat or what to do with their weekend, they prefer to wait and see where the day takes them, which sounds romantic until someone ends up hungry and Googling open restaurants at 9 p.m.
They genuinely thrive on spontaneity, and they’ll tell you that some of the best things in life happen unplanned. While that might be true occasionally, it doesn’t do much for the friends trying to coordinate a group dinner or book train tickets in advance. Still, you’ve got to admire the optimism.
2. “I’ll let you know.”
This one always sounds polite and noncommittal, but let’s be honest, you’re not getting a follow-up. It’s their way of leaving the door slightly open while keeping their schedule as free as possible for any other opportunity that might pop up. It’s not that they don’t want to hang out—they just really don’t want to decide yet.
Most of the time, this turns into a last-minute yes or no, depending entirely on their mood. And while it’s frustrating for planners, it works perfectly for them. They get to feel free and easy-going, and if nothing better comes along, they might actually show up. Maybe.
3. “I’m more of a go-with-the-flow type.”
They say this with pride, like it’s a badge of honour—and for them, it kind of is. Structure feels stifling, and planning ahead feels like predicting a mood they haven’t even had yet. They’d rather keep their options wide open and follow whatever feels good in the moment.
But while they’re floating down the stream of spontaneity, their more organised friends are back on the riverbank, trying to coordinate meeting times and Google Maps locations. It’s a vibe clash, but at least it keeps life interesting.
4. “Do we really need to plan this far ahead?”
Yes, we do, especially if it involves tickets, travel, or literally anything with a time limit. But to them, anything beyond next week might as well be five years away. They can’t commit to plans they can’t emotionally picture yet, so even well-meaning invites for the future feel overwhelming.
They’re not trying to ruin your efforts; they just don’t think like a planner. They operate in real-time, and the idea of scheduling now for something weeks away is like trying to emotionally commit to a weather forecast that hasn’t even been written yet.
5. “I’m down for whatever.”
This sounds helpful at first. Like, wow, what an easygoing person. But when every person in the group says this, nothing gets decided. And even if you make a plan, there’s still a decent chance they’ll suddenly develop a strong opinion after everything’s already been booked.
It’s not meant to be passive-aggressive, it’s just that they genuinely don’t want to be pinned down. Being “down for whatever” is code for “please don’t make me choose, just carry me along for the ride.”
6. “Let’s play it by ear.”
This is their ultimate comfort phrase. It makes them feel like they’re open to something without actually committing. It gives them room to flake, change plans last minute, or just bail entirely without feeling like they broke a promise.
For the rest of us, this phrase is usually a nightmare. But for the anti-planner, it’s a way to keep their schedule as breezy and commitment-free as humanly possible. They’re not trying to be elusive; they just hate locking anything in.
7. “I’ll see how I feel on the day.”
This is another polite way of saying, “Don’t count on me.” It’s not personal; they just need to check in with their energy levels, social battery, and vibe forecast on the actual day before making any real decisions.
The issue? Most plans require a bit more structure than that. But in their world, making decisions based on present-moment feelings is healthier than forcing something just because it’s scheduled. And to be fair, they do have a point—when they show up, they’re fully present.
8. “I hate feeling tied down.”
Even just writing something in their calendar makes them feel like they’ve lost some level of freedom. It’s not the plan itself; it’s the looming sense of obligation that makes them uncomfortable. They want to keep their days light and open to change.
To them, planning feels like shackling their future self to something their current self might regret. They prefer options, space, and flexibility, even if it drives their friends slightly mad in the process.
9. “Let’s just wing it.”
This is the beginning of both amazing adventures and total disasters. They genuinely believe that “winging it” always leads to the most fun because there’s no pressure and no expectations. And sometimes, they’re absolutely right.
But this approach also means ending up somewhere that closed early or forgetting to eat until 10pm. Still, they’ll defend it forever—because, for them, it’s not about control; it’s about living in the moment.
10. “I’ll decide later.”
This is their procrastination in disguise. They’re not being flaky; they just don’t want to make a call too early and end up regretting it. So they’ll push the decision as far out as possible and hope something else gives them clarity first.
Of course, this leaves everyone else hanging. But from their perspective, it’s a form of self-care. They’ll commit once they’re sure it aligns with their energy, their vibe, and maybe the moon phase, who knows.
11. “Let me check my schedule.”
This one’s particularly funny because they usually don’t have anything written down. It’s more of a stall tactic than a real check-in with a calendar. But it sounds responsible and buys them time to think—or forget. When they do get back to you (if they do), it’s often with a vague “something might be happening that day.” Whether it is or isn’t, the goal is always the same: avoid committing until the very last moment possible.
12. “I hate having too much planned.”
To them, too many plans in one day feels like being suffocated by invisible appointments. Even two events in a weekend can feel like too much. They need mental white space—time to do nothing, chill, or be impulsive. So, they guard their free time like treasure. One plan a day is plenty. Two? That’s a logistical nightmare they didn’t sign up for. And if you try to plan their whole week? Forget it.
13. “Can’t we just be spontaneous for once?”
They say this with a bit of frustration when everyone’s deep in logistics mode. They don’t mean to be a buzzkill; they just miss the magic of random plans that turn into unforgettable nights. They’re the type to suggest road trips at midnight or to book last-minute tickets to a gig without knowing who’s playing. Their spontaneity brings life to the group, but also a fair bit of chaos.
14. “I’m not great with plans, you know that.”
This is their disclaimer. It’s not an apology; it’s more of a heads-up. They’ve likely disappointed people in the past by forgetting plans or changing them last minute, so now they manage expectations upfront. And you know what? Honesty helps. At least when they say this, you know what you’re dealing with. It might be frustrating, but at least it’s transparent.
15. “We’ll figure it out.”
This is both hopeful and terrifying, depending on your personality type. They say it with a smile, confident that things always work out in the end, even if it’s not how anyone expected. Sometimes “figuring it out” means getting lost and finding a hidden gem of a café. Other times, it means two hours of aimless wandering. But for them, the uncertainty is part of the fun. Planning is overrated; memories are made in the chaos.
