Sense of direction

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Sense of direction has nothing to do with knowing left from right.

I also never know. Before I understand or give a direction like this I always have to think "What hand would I use to write something?" and move the hand to realize: "This side my moving hand is must be the right because I am right handed so the other side will be the left then".

But it doesn't change the fact that I feel all directions as if my body contained a compass. I just don't name them. They are "that way". Not "left" or "right".
Actually it might be easier for me to say "south","north", "east", "west" or any combination than "left" or "right". I also have to think about them at first but its just a one time thing. Once I set the world directions on my "map" in any point I can use them freely no matter where I am at that "map" because world directions become just a far away points in edges of map that I can sense using my "compass" just the same way as I can sense any other point. "Left" and "right" change constantly. "South","north", "east" and "west" are static points.

BTW. Apparently the compass is not just my imagination but an actual brain feature: http://www.haaretz.com/life/science-medicine/1.629812 , http://www.iflscience.com/brain/found-m ... al-compass .

I'm like Kiriae, I have a great sense of direction (I love to spend time in the mountains alone.) but get the words for left and right mixed up all the time, I say left when I mean right etc.

I also get verbal directions mixed up in my head, I struggle to remember the order I heard them in.

I have a good sense of direction, I can read maps and find my way around towards places and I remember what direction I went and came from. But don't ask me how to get to places. But I am horrible at remembering how to get to certain places I am not familiar with or if it's not part of my daily life. I always need to directions every time.

I'm generally the navigator for everyone else. I know my way around the central Ohio area very well. I worked as a driver in my early 20s and have lived in central Ohio most of my life. I can even tell you where the good bathrooms and decent restaurants are, should you plan to visit the greater Columbus area.

I don't mind having navi/GPS in the car, because it makes it easier for me to get to different or new places, but I enjoy driving (grew up around things automotive) and I like to travel. Especially alone. Of course, I enjoy it much more when I have researched ahead and I can go where I want on my own terms.

I am a bit of a control freak though. Riding in the car when others are driving makes me nervous because I tend to be a fairly conservative driver. So on most road trips that involve other people I will usually insist on driving.

I'm the same way. my sense of directions is lousy, and when someone asks how to get someplace, I cant explain, cant see it in my mind. often my feet know the way when my mind doesnt. I cant explain or remember, but when I start walking, I get there just fine.

familarize yourself with your area. Walk in a radius around your house and make it larger and larger while memorizing every tree, house, and corner. because it's a shame not to leave your house. it's always beautiful out there.

I cannot find west in a sunset. I have absolutely no sense of North/South/East/West. It's embarrassing because guys are expected to know directions. I keep a GPS in my car in case I get lost. I've lived in the same small town my entire life, and I can still get lost. I take the same familiar routes to the places I go to. Even if there is a shorter or more direct route, I have to go the way I know. If I have to drive out to the country roads, I'm doomed.
I can sympathize with the person that said they need the nurse to show them the way out. I get that way, too. I haven't had the courage to ask, but I have walked all around Dr.'s offices looking for the exit. I get the same thing sometimes when leaving the restroom in a restaurant or unfamiliar place.

I have a terrible sense of direction.

One time I had to go to a mall we usually go into, and I have to ride a vehicle. Before I went out of the house my mom was reminding me of where to ride, what route etc. but it didn't quite absorb in my mind 'cause for me it's still complicated. So, when I went to the city, I knew the place of course . But, I'm not quite sure if that's really the right vehicle to ride, so I asked the traffic enforcer at the side. He directed me with the same vehicle(Jeepney), I thought it was. So, I rode. Then, that time I'm still not quite sure if it's the right route we're heading. I got extremely anxious that time. Then when it's being kind of unfamiliar already, Just when I realized and just went down anyway to ride another Jeepney, with the name of the destinations.

This is not the only instance anyway.

I always know the right way is the opposite of what I think. This has been true every time, my whole life. I have so many face palm stories about it. It doesn't matter if I have a map -- I'm terrible at reading maps. And I speak, like, eight languages. It's moronic.

The problem is, if I'm alone, I don't know which way is the opposite of what I think. Is it my first idea or my second? When I start walking or when I turn around? If someone else is with me, I know. I say "left" and they frown, and we go right, and then we get there just fine.

So, knowing this about myself, I always schedule time my first day in a new place to walk around a LOT until I know the area. And I over research the area, tracing the route many times. I try to go for runs instead of using a car, too. After a while, I get familiar with it and don't make mistakes.

But yeah, if people ask me for directions, watch out!

I have a bad sense of direction, i need a long time to get familiar with any place, even then, its not always the best. I find it helps if i like the place or geographical arrangement, if i warm to somewhere its better. Sat Nav is a wonderful invention for me, it means i can go places i would never have been able to before!