Help, Mom! I'm Lost...Again

If you’re like me, you get lost. A lot. Ask almost anyone I know and they’d say that I’m notorious for getting lost. I get lost while driving to college in Iowa, while driving to church, and while driving to meet friends in downtown Minneapolis. I don’t have a GPS. I drive a 1996 Audi and it’s not equipped with one, nor am I willing to buy one. I like using “old school” maps to find my way. But unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to get me anywhere.

When I get lost, I immediately reach for my cell phone and call my dad or my mom. They know how to help me out of every situation. But sometimes, they don’t pick up the phone. What do I do? I panic. Yet over the years, I’ve learned a few things about getting lost while driving.

1. Don’t panic.

I repeat, do not panic! The moment after I realize I’ve made a mistake, my heart starts to race. I wonder where I am. I nervously glance around, slam on the brakes, and make wrong turns. I panic. But panicking only makes everything worse. Staying calm will help you better find your way out of your situation. It will also remove some of the yelling and/or fast talking that may occur while calling someone and asking for directions.

2. Turn down the radio.

It’s only natural to turn down the radio or turn it off when you get lost. It has to do with divided attention. If you divide your attention between listening to the radio and trying to find your destination, chances are that you’ll only get more lost.

3. Slow down.

Zipping around won’t really help you get anywhere faster. It will only increase your stress and make any delays seem longer. Don’t drive unnaturally slowly. Just drive slow enough so that you can read the street signs as you pass them.

4. Pull over.

Take the nearest exit or pull into a parking lot. Just taking a breather will help you calm down. Take the opportunity to pull out a map (that’s right, an old fashioned map) and try to locate your destination. Not only will this assist you in finding the end of the line, but it will also help you train your brain and improve your sense of direction.

5. Find help.

After you pull over, give your parents a call. Phone a friend. Or, if it’s daytime, stop somewhere safe and ask for directions. Don’t be ashamed. It’s not embarrassing to ask for directions. Chances are, it’ll save you a lot of time in the long run.

If you’re anything like me, you take a risk of getting lost every time you drive somewhere. If you’re sick of getting lost (or in my case, accidentally taking I-80 West while trying to get to Iowa City), keep these tips in mind. You never know when they could help you.