This May, I’m ditching Google Maps. No, not for Apple Maps or for a physical map, I’m just not going to use one**. Growing up in Los Angeles, I always used a map to check routes since the varying traffic patterns meant there was rarely a “right” way to go. That fact, in tandem with a poor spatial sense of direction, meant that my spatial acuity never flourished and whatever is there is currently rusting. Relying too heavily on maps makes me feel like I’m losing an edge—the same way skipping mental math dulls arithmetic so calculating a restaurant tip feels like a hard homework problem.
In April, I meditated everyday. This enhanced my mindfullness and helped get a scattershod meditation practice on a track where it feels easier to maintain and integrate daily. The more I do it, the easier it gets and paradoxically the less of a time commitment it seems. I hope this month brings better spatial awarness and helps me become a more aware and conscious maps user. Even with a map, I am the kind of driver who still takes wrong turns more than most.
By committing to this “No Maps May,” I aim to not only reacquaint myself with LA’s streets but also to improve my punctuality. Without the constant need to update others on my ETA, I plan to leave earlier and explore more freely.
This experiment involves simplifying my lifestyle by reducing my reliance on modern conveniences. This might mean limiting the use of certain technologies like ChatGPT, cutting back on indulgences like Zyn, and avoiding news topics that distract from my focus on the immediate environment. Ultimately, it’s about depending more on my own resources and less on external aids.
Although it might affect me just a few times each week, this shift will transform how I interact with technology and navigate my adventures across Los Angeles, guiding me towards more thoughtful and deliberate choices.
**I will use a map in some cases to notify people of an ETA. When I am going to a totally new place, I can use a map sparingly
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