New research shows eight in 10 Brits avoid being spontaneous because they worry about having everything perfect, which includes a clean and tidy house.
Eight out of 10 Brits shy away from being spontaneous. A survey of 2,000 adults reveals that people want at least a week’s notice before making plans. Nearly half (45%) don’t want to feel rushed, while others prefer to remain in control of the situation, or simply lack the motivation.
Two thirds (63%) admitted they prefer to plan ahead rather than act on impulse, but for 17% the pressure of getting everything “perfect” is a key reason they put off making last-minute plans altogether. Women are more likely than men to make excuses to wriggle out of last-minute plans, with 42% and 32% respectively.
It emerges that 29% of adults won’t invite people round at short notice due to concerns about their home being untidy, and 23% have gone as far as pretending not to be in rather than answer the door.
Despite this, 23% would like to be more spontaneous, and 21% believe it would make life more enjoyable.
The research was commissioned by Hotpoint as part of its “Just Come Over” Season encouraging the nation to say yes to spontaneity again this summer.
Dr Angharad Rudkin, a clinical psychologist who worked with the appliances brand, said: “What’s exciting about the research is what it reveals about appetite, not just avoidance – people actively want to be more spontaneous, and most already sense it would make us happier.
“The barrier isn’t desire, it’s small, fixable habits: feeling rushed, or believing that a home needs to be ‘ready’ before anyone’s invited round.
“I’d encourage letting go of those habits – and it doesn’t take much, saying yes to a last-minute invite, or accepting that your home doesn’t need to be perfect, can genuinely shift how connected and fulfilled life feels.”
The research revealed that more than a quarter of women (28%) felt that having a tidy home would make them feel more spontaneous, compared to just 19% of men.
Meanwhile, 26% of women said having food and drinks prepared would make them more likely to welcome last-minute guests, a sentiment shared by only 19% of men.
Women were also more inclined to feel spontaneous when their household was running smoothly (23%), versus 18% of men.
Kimberley Garner, from Hotpoint, said: “We’ve seen 115 years’ worth of spontaneous hosting, and this research shows just how much pressure people put on themselves before they’ll open their front door.
“Just Come Over Season is about giving the nation the confidence to say yes at short notice – because some of the best get-togethers are the ones nobody planned.”