"Not all those who wander are lost." - J.R.R Tolkien

I'm going to be honest. I am someone who gets lost a lot. Whether I am walking, biking or driving, I often find myself in places that I don't expect or desire to be in. As someone who has gotten lost in my own hometown and in foreign countries, I think it is time for me to share what I have learned throughout my many journeys. This list is for my fellow wanderers, just a few tips that I've picked up during my time wandering the world.

1. If you can, travel in a pack, and make sure someone in your group has street smarts or at least a general sense of direction. Also, if you have any kind of map, make sure the directionally challenged people are not in charge of it! (This happened to me in Spain. I made the bad choice of being in charge of the map and spent a good 15 minutes trying to figure out how to read it.)
2. If you are in a safe place and you happen to stray from your path, just stop and ask for directions, people are usually kind and helpful. People are especially helpful if you go into their stores and buy something.
3. If someone gives you directions, write them down! Or at least try to remember them. (I am often a violator of this tip, and it never turns out well for me)
4. It’s always okay to pull over and look up directions, or get a GPS that works, or print out directions ahead of time (I learned the printing tip from a friend who is never late and always knows where she is going).
5. Sometimes, retracing your steps and starting your journey over again helps. I once left home and drove for twenty minutes before I realized I was going in the wrong direction. I turned around and made my way back home before looking up directions again and heading in the correct direction.
6. If someone makes the mistake of choosing you as their guide, you might want to consult a map or a friend before turning that someone into a wanderer like you.
7. Remember that safety is important wherever you are. If you get lost, be alert and aware of your surroundings. Calling for help or calling someone who can help you stay calm is a great idea. It also wouldn't hurt to keep a blanket, flashlight, and extra batteries in your car.

Now you may think that these tips don’t apply to you, but even if you have that handy Maps application on your smartphone or a state of the art Garmin GPS system, they may fail you sometimes and you have to rely on your own sense of (or lack of) direction.

Even if all of these tips fail you, you will still be okay! Remember to stay calm, I know how scary it can be to be lost. You will make it wherever you need to be eventually and some wandering could be good for you. Whether your adventure is on purpose or by accident it will be full of important lessons and great stories to share with fellow wanderers.

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