Have you had an incredible travel experience that changed the course of your life? Share it here and you may even get featured on six-two!
Joseph captures a vibrant subculture of young Travelers through striking portraits that capture hitchhiking and freight train hopping as a form of freedom and adventure. However, this lifestyle does come with its share of hardships.
The Power of Getting Lost
One of the primary ways travel changes our perspectives is when we interact with people from various backgrounds, see things that challenge our beliefs, or are exposed to more complex understandings of global issues such as poverty, climate change or human rights. Sometimes it can even be more transformative just getting lost – literally! Black Tomato, a travel agency based out of New York and London offers a service called “Get Lost” where travelers must navigate remote destinations without guidance before finding their way home again (their slogan states it all: “You have to get lost to find yourself”).
Stepping outside our comfort zones and deliberately letting ourselves become lost can teach us valuable life lessons about managing uncertainty and challenges, trusting our instincts, and exploring paths that beckon to us. Additionally, getting lost provides us with an opportunity to explore the world with greater wonder and curiosity – often uncovering hidden gems we wouldn’t otherwise come across if following an established script.
Get lost can be an effective means of self-reflection, offering you an opportunity to examine more deeply your thoughts and emotions. Additionally, getting lost may reveal new appreciations for places we call home as you view familiar areas with curiosity and admiration.
A Field Guide to Getting Lost
Lost in the woods can be terrifying but is rarely dangerous. Being prepared can make things less distressful and easier to find your way back home; practicing navigation techniques before venturing out into remoter terrain will equip you to handle any situations where you might become disoriented.
Even though most people are prepared, getting lost still happens to many. From hiking and camping trips, kayaking excursions or climbing expeditions – even experienced outdoor enthusiasts may become disoriented in unfamiliar terrain.
When feeling lost, the best course of action is to stop moving and relax – this will allow you to reassess the situation and determine what’s truly transpiring.
Once you know where you’re headed, determine the most efficient course of action to retrace your steps and return to a place where you know you belong. When that occurs, anxiety should begin to subside and you can focus on planning how best to move forward. Relying solely on a mental map (which could be inaccurate) as your way back will only waste energy and lead to further confusion; focus instead on finding landmarks which can help reorient yourself instead.
Getting Lost in the Moment
Lost can be frightening, yet also transformative. To stay present and enjoy every moment as they come, appreciate something about your current experience like its beauty or uniqueness to help break free from your thoughts and into the physical body where peace can be found.
No matter where your journey leads you, taking time for yourself can help reconnect you with your passions and unlock new avenues of growth. Additionally, doing this can relieve some of the tension associated with difficult circumstances.
When feeling lost, keep this thought in mind: all events occur for a reason. While you might not always understand this immediately, in time you’ll discover its purpose and its eventual impact. Apply this concept to relationships if they’re experiencing communication issues: imagine a scenario with mutual respect and honesty between partners to inspire openness and create more honest dialogue that leads to deeper bonds and a richer life experience.
Getting Lost in the Past
Losing and finding are foundational stories in any culture. For example, Caddo people of Oklahoma’s pine savannas tell tales about “Lost Elves”, tiny beings who inhabit murky swamps and haunt wooded areas; anyone lost there risks becoming bewitched or even transformed into one.
Daniel Defoe’s classic shipwreck story Robinson Crusoe and its many imitators depict Christian values and British order being brought into an otherwise lawless wilderness by an unlikely white hero, yet its literary roots go much deeper, to medieval poets’ Chanson d’aventure – where poets would lose themselves in nature until discovering something inspiring or transformative to write about.
Have you experienced times in life when you were lost and then found again? Share your story here, and it may appear on six-two. Your words could inspire someone else! We want your tales of hope, adventure and big dreams!