When I was very young I used to scare the heck out of myself by getting lost in the woods near where we lived. Instead of going to scary movies, like some kids, I’d head off again and again and manage to go around in circles – that was the only way anyone could get lost there, as my neighboring patch of trees was not large, even for a five year old.
Later, in a larger landscape and using topo maps, it was still possible to be pleasantly surprised to not come out where you were expecting to, and that was so much fun that bushwhacking, as opposed to hiking on a trail, became my preferred way to spend a Sunday. Walking companions, except for the canine variety and a few carefully chosen humans, tend to tire of this approach.
Later still, when the forest was my workplace, a compass, increasingly good maps, and the blessings of technology kept me on the straight and narrow. Getting lost is not cool if you are working.
Now, a little bit retired, I can again spend time getting a little bit lost. On familiar paths, there’s a tendency to see what you saw yesterday and to not see what you didn’t see yesterday. If you can wander freely for a while, just poking along, you’ll find interesting things that you might have walked right by if reaching a destination has clouded your vision. You can lose yourself in admiration of a sweet little glade or a bouquet of lichens and forget which direction you came from. Getting just a little bit lost heightens awareness as well as appreciation.
Now, this recommendation is not for five year olds, not a wise strategy in vast stretches of wilderness, and to be taken in small doses at first. It doesn’t hurt to keep a compass in your back pocket, but leave your watch at home.