teejai, you can't get better at being lost and finding yourself without "practice". You DID find yourself and DID get back home, etc. Happens every time.

I think you should do the gardening thing, I think getting there and back home will be worth it to be mucking about in the dirt and growing stuff. I had an allotment when I was living in Washington, D.C. Get the boots and a little lawn chair! Sitting and doing a little reading outdoors in the garden, nothing beats it. I had the landscapers who did my back lot last year put in a little raised bed in front for my veggies too. I just planted some lettuces and will plant the rest of them today and some bush beans. . . It's very exciting watching food grow