It's not just adding and subtracting with math

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I wasn't sure where to put this thread, but it's about my struggles with math.

Today I had got into a muddle with my timesheets I have to write out at work each week, because of the next couple of weeks being different from all the other weeks, due to Christmas and new year. My hours have changed - only very slightly, but it was still enough to throw me into a mathematical confusion. My boss said that I'm doing the same amount of hours and so that there's no adding or subtracting, but I was still confused and needed help with changing some of the times written down, simply because they're numbers and my brain shuts down when it comes to numbers.

So I've just learnt that it isn't just adding up or subtracting or dividing or whatever, it's just any math that I can find confusing, which in this case is just changing my start and finish times by an hour on my timesheets. It's such a simple little alteration for other people, but for me it's difficult. It's like I'm dyslexic in math and just can't read numbers very well. Letters and words are friendly, but numbers just jump around the page and laugh at me.

Anyone relate?

I have hemmed and hawed whether to become an engineer or not. But due to my struggles with math and being put in special ed, I was a bit reluctant thanks to self-doubt. It didn't help that one rando had no faith in my decision but looking back I didn't think he knew what he was talking about. That man has a cushy job in a state with a decent economy (Texas) so of course he isn't in the same shoes as me.

I will note I am not aspiring to be an engineer just for the money. Though as someone who comes from a low income background, I think aiming for a higher paying salary is valid.

Anyways, I was someone who loathed working a physical blue collar job with a lot of NT folks who didn't have the same interests as me. Not to mention I just don't give a damn about fruit processing. I wanted a job where I was passionate about the subject matter while involving creativity, thinking, and organizing. Also I could sit on my butt all day.

Engineering seemed like a perfect fit for me. I am someone who is fascinated with planes and boats/watercraft. According to my research, it seems there are a lot of desk jobs in this field. Also, I enjoy designing things and playing around with 3D graphics. I aspire to own my own 3D printer someday.

I could try re-learning math but I would have to find time for that and push my hobbies aside. It's complicated to juggle studying with working 9-5 plus doing daily chores.

My sister deals with the exact same thing. She's smart and highly educated, but can’t figure out math.

If it helps, let Excel do the heavy lifting to cut out errors. Grab a free template online, keep it on your phone, test it out, then copy the totals to your paper sheet.

I'm very good with writing and spelling and punctuation, like maybe just over average, but my math is absolutely poor, way below average. I think it's because I have a creative mind, and numbers and creativity aren't usually compatible.
But someone once said that if I can play the piano then I must be good at math, but I don't think there's a correlation there, because I'm living proof of that lol.

Is that something like dyscalculia, Tamaya?

I don't know what sort of overlap there is between maths difficulties and autism. But I wonder whether it is also partly to do with the way it is (or used to be) taught.

Certainly when I was at school maths teachers were the least flexible in terms of their methods and expectations. There was really very little tolerance for alternative learning styles in maths back then. I think lots of students got put off comprehensively and permanently.

Do you think you might have enjoyed playing with numbers in different circumstances? Or is it simply how your mind works?