Getting Lost While Traveling: Why It Can Be a Positive Experience: Javier Labourt’s Perspective
The National Geographic Travel article titled “Javier Labourt, Cognitive Therapy Psychologist: ‘It’s Very Easy to Get Lost While Traveling — and That’s a Good Thing’” offers an inspiring perspective on how apparent lack of control can become a psychological opportunity. In this interview, Labourt addresses the phenomenon of FOMO in vacations and suggests that instead of causing anxiety, getting lost can actually be a healthy and enriching experience.
The Weight of Control and the Fear of Missing Out
Labourt argues that many people bring the same rigid structures of daily life into their travels: planned itineraries, strict expectations, and the desire to “do it all.” This mindset creates an illusion of control, as if one could dominate every detail, every location, every experience. When things don’t go as planned — which often happens — stress arises.
In his words: “Our daily lifestyle, centered on goals and objectives… is exactly what we end up copying into our travel plans.” (National Geographic Travel)
For Labourt, this phenomenon is a direct manifestation of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) applied to tourism: the belief that if we don’t do everything on the itinerary, we’re missing something valuable. This anxiety undermines the travel experience itself, stealing the joy of what could otherwise be liberating.
Getting Lost as a Conscious Act of Living
Labourt proposes inverting the paradigm: rather than seeing getting lost as negative, view it as potentially positive. Venturing into the unknown, not following every plan to the letter, or letting the journey “flow” can open key emotional doors:
- Mental restructuring: releasing control allows the mind to relax and make space for surprise.
- Emotional activation: unexpected situations spark new reactions, learning, and inner resources.
- Real presence: without the lens of “I must do this now,” one can simply observe, feel, and absorb the moment.
- Inner growth: as the proverb cited in the interview says, “The person who returns from a journey is not the same as the one who left.” (National Geographic Travel)
Labourt suggests planning unstructured days or moments, letting the trip “propose” more than we impose. For people with anxious traits or strong needs for control, this practice can be especially transformative.
Practical Applications for Healthier Travel
From his psychological perspective, Labourt offers strategies to turn “getting lost” into a benefit:
- Include itinerary-free spaces: dedicate at least one or two days of the trip without planned activities, open to discovery.
- Reduce rigid expectations: recognizing that you don’t have to “see it all” relieves internal pressure.
- Prioritize inner experience: beyond monuments, seek moments of emotional connection, introspection, or stillness.
- Accept mistakes as learning: getting lost isn’t failure; it’s an opportunity for growth if observed mindfully.
- Reflect afterward: consider what made you uncomfortable and what you discovered about yourself during the trip.
In this way, getting lost becomes not a logistical flaw but an invitation to expand psychologically.
Why This Vision Resonates Today
In an era of hyperconnectivity, social media algorithms, and pressures to “show the best” of our travels, Labourt’s proposal is timely. Travel is no longer just “vacations to escape,” but also a chance to reconnect with oneself, with others, and with what truly matters.
Moreover, his perspective bridges two worlds often seen as separate: therapeutic psychology (and cognitive therapy) with conscious tourism. This union is powerful because it shows that travel doesn’t just create memories — it sparks inner change.
Closing Reflection
This article summarizes some of the main ideas Labourt shared in his National Geographic Travel interview about why getting lost while traveling can actually be a positive thing. 👉 Read the full interview here.