I’m at the Buford Corn Maze, a wonderful place where people come from near and far to get lost with family and friends. Fact is with GPS everything and instant answers to any question, it takes work to lose yourself in physical space or deliberate thought. Well, it turns out there are some powerful benefits to getting lost, physically and metaphorically.

You might wander about, getting lost in an unfamiliar city, or in the woods, without using your phone’s navigation. Or, get lost in a creative challenge or lost in learning that’s beyond your grasp. This leads to being lost in time, unaware of exact minutes, which brings you deeper into the moments.

How ever you lose yourself, here are three very real cognitive benefits you’ll likely find along the way.

Getting lost challenges you to think creatively and find unfamiliar solutions. The need to make choices with limited information sharpens problem-solving skills and cognitive flexibility, helping you innovate and adapt to new circumstances.

Navigating unfamiliar terrain requires increased focus on spatial cues and landmarks, which strengthens your hippocampus and improves memory. Emotional intensity helps boost awareness and long-term retention.

Successfully finding your way back after being lost builds tolerance for ambiguity and reinforces a growth mindset. Each time you navigate the unknown, you develop greater confidence, self-reliance, and composure.

So if you’re striving for certainty, remember sometimes it takes getting lost to find your way, your skills, and yourself. So until next week, get lost, and stay Off Balance On Purpose.