📍 Using Google My Maps to Remember Places
One day, I stumbled upon a quiet little coffee shop hidden in an alley in District 1. It had the perfect lighting, peaceful atmosphere, and felt like an ideal spot to work. I told myself, “I’ll definitely come back here.”
Weeks later, I wanted to return, but I couldn’t remember the name—or even where it was.
That moment made me realize I needed a better way to remember places worth returning to. That’s when I discovered Google My Maps.
💡 What is Google My Maps?
Google My Maps is a tool that lets you:
- Create custom, personal maps.
- Pin locations and add notes, photos, or links.
- Organize places by categories (coffee shops, work spots, travel destinations…).
- Access your maps on both desktop and mobile.
Unlike Google Maps, where the map is already made, My Maps puts you in control of what’s on it.
🧭 How I use Google My Maps
1. Save favorite spots
I created a map called “Favorite Places”. It includes coffee shops, bookstores, and quiet workspaces I want to remember.
For each spot, I usually add:
- Why I like it.
- Tips for the best time to visit.
- Sometimes photos or a review link.
2. Plan short trips
When planning a quick trip—whether to Da Lat or just a weekend in Can Gio—I use My Maps to:
- Mark the places I want to visit.
- Group them by area or day.
- Estimate travel distance and route.
Much better than listing things in a Google Doc.
3. Track work and investment locations
Since I work in business and investment, I also have a map called “Clients & Potential Locations.”
It helps me:
- Remember places I’ve visited for meetings.
- Keep track of high-potential areas.
- Recall how I felt about a place when I was there.
✨ Why I love it
- It’s simple, yet powerful.
- It gives me a visual memory of places that matter to me.
- It’s like a spatial journal—something a photo album or text note can’t quite replicate.
🛠️ How to get started
- Go to: https://www.google.com/mymaps
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Click “Create a new map” — and start pinning!
🎯 Final thoughts
Google My Maps is not a flashy new tool, but few people use it for personal memory and reflection.
For me, it has become a kind of living map of places I’ve been, loved, or want to explore.
If you’ve ever had the thought “there was this amazing place… but I forgot where it was”—this is the tool you’ve been looking for.