Adventure Idea #12

When I was young I spent sevaral years traveling around the world working on cruise ships. If we didn’t have anything major planned on a port day, my favorate thing to do was to just aimlessly wonder around a strange city. It was exciting and sometimes very eye opening.

I am not one to just sit at home. If I have nothing planned Ilike to go for a drive. One thing I love to do now is turn the map app off on my phone and just start taking random turns. I have found all kinds of interesting landmarks, restaurants, fascinating shops and some pretty some cool beach bars this way. I find previously undiscovered trail heads for my hiking adventures this way all the time.   

We found the first house that we ever bought like this. I had been looking at listing for months. Then one day I picked the neighborhood that I was curious about and I just started taking random turns. Then I pulled up to this house and it felt like home and we had an offer in it the next day.

Intentionally getting lost can be a unique and powerful way to foster personal growth. This practice, often referred to as “drifting” or “psychogeography,” encourages you to explore unfamiliar areas without a set destination. It can help you develop a sense of adventure, improve your problem-solving skills, and enhance your ability to navigate uncertainty. After all it is only when we reach the edges of our maps that we can make new discoveries.

Here are a few tips to safely and effectively get lost on purpose:

Choose a Safe Area: If in the wilderness be wary of dangers like cliffs and rivers. In Urban environments pay attention to the neighborhood and the people around you. Situational awareness is key. Trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right get out of there and always move toward safety.     

Set Boundaries: Define a general area where you’ll wander to ensure you don’t stray too far. This is especially important in the wilderness.

Stay Connected: Let someone know your plans. Have your phone on you and fully charged. Google maps timeline will keep track of where you have been even if you are not actively using the map app. It can help you in a pinch. Take photos of landmarks to help you find your way back if needed.

Embrace the Experience: Allow yourself to explore without a specific goal. Pay attention to your surroundings and be open to new experiences and encounters.

This approach can help you break out of your routine, discover new places, and gain a fresh perspective on your environment and yourself.