No. 1 · Walks
How to get lost on purpose
The best lane in town is rarely on the way to anywhere.
By Wren Takahashi · 7 min read
Every city has two versions: the one on the map and the one you find by accident. The second is almost always better, but most of us never meet it because we're always walking somewhere.
Turn whenever something catches your eye.
Getting lost on purpose is simple. Pick a neighbourhood, put your phone in your pocket and turn toward anything interesting: an archway, a smell, a sound, a splash of colour down a side street.
Give yourself a time limit, perhaps an hour, and a way home you trust. The goal isn't to be lost. It's to let curiosity steer for a while.
Field notes
- Choose an area that feels safe and walkable.
- Keep your phone for emergencies and getting home.
- Note three things you've never noticed before.
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