For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
November 4, 2023 | 7 min read
Ally Veldhuisen
When was the last time you got lost?
Not figuratively… literally. When did you last take a wrong turn and have no idea how to get to where you needed to go?
I’ll be the first to confess, I get physically lost easily. However, I usually have my phone and can use a mapping app to get me to the right place, so even though I’m totally lost by my own power, I’m never truly lost. You know?
Last week, though, this was not the case.
I was traveling to visit my sister (and fellow blogger), Lauren, up in British Columbia. The drive is pretty straight forward—head North for a while, then take two turns—but I pulled up a map just in case before slipping my phone into airplane mode and driving across the border.
Welp. I bet you can figure out what happened.
I went North for a while, then took two turns… in the wrong direction.
Quickly finding myself three miles down an old logging road in the middle of the woods, I realized that I was completely off-course with a sleeping baby in the back seat and no option to map myself out of there this time.
Bears kept running through my mind (because naturally when you’re lost you jump to the worst case scenario and imagine what you might do if your Chevy Traverse were suddenly mauled by a bear) and I stopped in the middle of the road to calm my thoughts.
When my mind cleared, I chose to head back down the bumpy, washed up gravel road toward the highway. I moseyed back to a gas station I had passed, headed inside, and asked the attendant for help.
To my surprise, the girl at the counter was extremely friendly and helpful. She got me the store landline so that I could call my sister, she mapped my route on her personal phone, and sent me off on my way with a smile and a heartfelt, “Good luck!”
I found my way to Lauren’s house and breathed a sigh of relief. It felt so good to arrive, and upon reflection I noticed that getting lost was actually a refreshing experience.
I felt more confident in myself after finding Lauren’s house without following my phone. I connected with some really nice strangers that I never would have spoken with had things gone exactly according to plan.
I think getting lost, I mean really lost, was good for my soul—even if it was quite stressful in the moment.
In our hyperconnected and fast-paced world, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the web of routines, responsibilities, and digital distractions. We often find ourselves moving from one predefined point to another, guided by GPS, schedules, and the ever-present lure of our smartphones. But would you believe me if I told you that getting lost might be one of the best things you could do for your well-being?
Getting lost isn’t just about losing your way on a physical journey (don’t head 3 miles down an old logging road when your gut tells you it’s the wrong way!); it’s a metaphor for temporarily detaching from the daily grind and embracing the unknown.
When you wander into unfamiliar territory, you open the door to wonder and curiosity. The world suddenly becomes a place of endless possibilities, filled with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Getting lost allows you to see the world through fresh eyes and appreciate the beauty and intrigue that’s often overlooked.
Stepping outside your comfort zone and losing your way can be a fertile ground for creativity. New experiences and unexpected encounters spark the imagination, leading to fresh ideas and insights. It’s in those moments of not knowing where you are that you may stumble upon innovative solutions and creative breakthroughs.
Getting lost can be a wonderful reminder that life isn’t always about sticking to the script. The freedom to explore without a plan can be so liberating, allowing you to go wherever your instincts lead. Embracing spontaneity in your life can lead to exciting adventures and memorable stories.
Learning to navigate uncertainty and challenges when you’re lost can help build resilience. Life often throws unexpected obstacles our way, and the experiences of getting lost can teach you to adapt, problem-solve, and trust your instincts.
When you’re lost, your mind naturally focuses on the present moment. You’re not worried about the past or the future; you’re fully immersed in the here and now. This mindfulness can bring a sense of peace and presence to your life.
Getting lost isn’t just about losing your way in the physical world; it can also help you lose yourself in introspection. Solitude and self-reflection often accompany these journeys, providing an opportunity to explore your thoughts, dreams, and desires more deeply.
Sometimes, it takes getting lost to truly appreciate what you have. When you return home after an adventure, you see your familiar surroundings with a newfound gratitude and love. It reminds you that there’s no place like home.
Getting lost every once in a while can be a deliberate act of self-care in a world that constantly demands our attention and adherence to schedules. It’s a reminder that it’s okay to let go of control, to embrace the unknown, and to be guided by your curiosity.
So, next time you find yourself on your way somewhere—or maybe with some free time to spare—consider letting yourself get lost exploring a new area, or simply in your own thoughts. You may just find that it’s in losing your way that you discover more about yourself and the world around you.
In the best of ways… GET LOST!
xo, Ally
