Getting Lost Without a Phone: Why Discomfort Creates Clarity
Yesterday, some of our members at Outsiders CrossFit took on a huge challenge — a 10,000-meter row. For some, it took close to 40 minutes. For others, almost an hour. Watching them grind it out inspired me to do something different: getting lost without a phone and seeing what I would discover.
I couldn’t row 10,000 meters myself right now, so I decided to head outside for a long run. What happened next turned into an unexpected life lesson.
Going Old School
This wasn’t a normal run. I left my phone at home. No headphones. No music. No watch to track distance or pace. Just me and the road.
To make it even more challenging, I wasn’t wearing glasses or contacts. That meant I could barely read street signs until I was right up close to them.
At first, I felt confident. I thought I knew the path. Soon doubt crept in. Was I going the right way? Was I already off course?
Instead of stopping, I kept running.
Getting Lost
Pretty soon, it became clear: I was lost.
No GPS. No quick out. Just me trying to figure things out the old way — asking strangers for directions.
I stopped five different people during that run. Each gave me another clue, another step toward finding my way back. I planned for a five-mile run, but it turned into six and a half. I thought it would take an hour, but it stretched to an hour and forty minutes.
The whole thing reminded me of the old MapQuest days, when we’d print directions, hope we didn’t miss a turn, and figure it out as we went.
The Clarity of Getting Lost Without a Phone
Here’s the part I didn’t expect: getting lost without a phone felt freeing.
At first, my head was full of noise. A hundred different thoughts bounced around, just like most days. But as the miles added up, something shifted. The noise got quieter. My mind started to clear.
I felt nervous. What if it rained? What if I really couldn’t find my way back? But I also felt calm. It hit me how rare it is, in today’s world, to be without constant distraction. No shortcuts. No backup plan. No technology to lean on.
Most of us spend our lives avoiding discomfort. We want the easy path. GPS gives us the fastest route. Spotify gives us endless playlists to block out silence. Phones fill every gap with entertainment or distraction. Strip all that away and you’re left with the raw human experience — and that’s where growth begins.
Fitness works the same way. You don’t get stronger by staying comfortable. You grow when you add weight to the bar, push through the last minute of a workout, or keep moving when your lungs and legs burn. That discomfort is the gateway to progress.
Running unplugged — and literally lost — reminded me that clarity doesn’t come from more apps, better playlists, or fancier tools. It comes from leaning into the discomfort and facing yourself head-on.
The Lesson
Getting lost without a phone taught me that growth comes from discomfort.
It forced me to be present. It pushed me to problem-solve. It made me connect with people face-to-face instead of through a screen. Most importantly, it reminded me that discipline — not motivation — is what keeps you moving when you don’t know exactly where you are.
Motivation might get you started, but motivation is fragile. It fades when conditions aren’t perfect. Discipline is different. Discipline says, “I keep going because this is who I am now.” The path might be unclear, but discipline keeps you moving anyway.
And here’s the bigger question: Who are you when you’re lost? Do you panic? Do you quit? Or do you slow down, breathe, and trust that you’ll figure it out?
That’s the gift of discomfort — it shows you the person you’re becoming.
Your Challenge
So here’s my challenge to you: sometime this week, leave your phone at home. Go for a run, a walk, or even just a drive with no GPS, no headphones, no distractions. Get a little lost.
Pay attention to what comes up. Notice how your mind reacts. Notice what you learn about yourself.
Because sometimes, the best way to find yourself… is to get lost.
Final Thought
At Outsiders CrossFit, we talk about “Fitness for Life.” That doesn’t just mean workouts. It means building discipline, clarity, and resilience that carry over into every part of your life.
And sometimes, the discipline of getting lost without a phone is exactly what you need to find your way back stronger.
Ready to build the discipline and community that will keep you moving forward? Book your free No-Sweat Intro today: outsiderscrossfit.com/#getstarted
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