Why the hell can't I remember routes?

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I have to go there at least 2-3 times, in a short span, before I can find my own way to or out of the place. And I tend to forget it after a few days even then. I envy the people who can plot a map in their head the first time they go somewhere. And they don't seem to be paying any special attention to the routes they are taking. I can't remember even when I consciously TRY to remember the route.

I've had this problem since I was a kid but back then I thought I would grow out of it when I'm older. I know I'm not particularly dumb and seem to have a good enough memory. Anyone have/had the same problem or know someone who have the problem?

Sumit.
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    When I forget how to get where I want to go I just assume I am geographically challenged....now I have gps and it's like my crutch.
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  • Profile picture of the author waterotter
    Sumit, have you tried the visual landmarks approach?!
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    • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

      When I forget how to get where I want to go I just assume I am geographically challenged....now I have gps and it's like my crutch.
      LOL.. When driving you could use a GPS, but what if you are walking. How do you remember then?

      Originally Posted by waterotter View Post

      Sumit, have you tried the visual landmarks approach?!
      Never heard of it. What is it?
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Sumit, don't feel too badly ... I walked into the kitchen last night and forgot why I was there. Who knows, I may have wanted to go to another room and simply got lost.
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Sumit, don't feel too badly ... I walked into the kitchen last night and forgot why I was there. Who knows, I may have wanted to go to another room and simply got lost.

      Jeez - if I had to remember why I was going places, I'd never make it out of the yard. I spend a lot of time on double trips because I forgot the very thing I set out to pick up.

      Two days ago I went to a gas station. I had to pay inside the store because the pumps don't like my paypal card. So I paid -- then I went back to my car, got in and drove off without pumping my gas. I got about 5 miles down the road and looked at my gas gauge to see where it was sitting and realized what I'd done, so I had to go back.

      Holy cow. At least nobody looks at you like maybe you should be committed for your own safety for having to ask directions.
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      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Sumit - what Jody is talking about is remembering how the landscape looks at various places on your route. For instance - if there is a church at the corner you want to turn at, remembering the church is a lot easier than remembering the name of the street. In other words, your problem might stem from the fact you think too much and observe too little when you are traveling.

    Finding my way around isn't that hard for me and I've traveled all my life, so maybe it's just a matter of being used to going a lot. I have friends who rarely leave familiar territory and they seem to never know where the heck they are if they try to get anywhere unfamiliar.

    Maybe you just need to explore more.
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    Sal
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    That's funny, Sal.

    Do you think it's a problem if I keep forgetting where I'm going and not realizing it until I'm pulling the ice cream out of the freezer?
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    • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      Sumit, don't feel too badly ... I walked into the kitchen last night and forgot why I was there. Who knows, I may have wanted to go to another room and simply got lost.
      At least you got to the kitchen!

      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Sumit - what Jody is talking about is remembering how the landscape looks at various places on your route. For instance - if there is a church at the corner you want to turn at, remembering the church is a lot easier than remembering the name of the street. In other words, your problem might stem from the fact you think too much and observe too little when you are traveling.

      Finding my way around isn't that hard for me and I've traveled all my life, so maybe it's just a matter of being used to going a lot. I have friends who rarely leave familiar territory and they seem to never know where the heck they are if they try to get anywhere unfamiliar.

      Maybe you just need to explore more.
      I think I'd find it easier to remember the street names. Here they don't have any street names or sign boards. But, I'll keep note of landmarks next time see if that helps better.

      The way I do it now is, okay.. so, straight and then the first left turn. And after awhile it's all jumbled up in my mind.

      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      That's funny, Sal.

      Do you think it's a problem if I keep forgetting where I'm going and keep finding myself looking in the refrigerator?
      LOL.. I do the same thing. Sometimes when I'm studying or thinking too much, I automatically go into the kitchen, open the fridge and drink water. And a lot of times I don't even realize this happening until mom points out that I just drank water 2 minutes ago.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Kitchens are mystical places....vortexes with special vibrational pull. They just don't work the way the rest of the world does. Put a cheese cake in your fridge and see exactly how far you get and how much work gets done before you finish off the last piece while wondering where at least half of it went to. Same with ice cream.

    Dennis - there is no way to escape the hypnotic vortex of a kitchen equiped with a full refrigerator. Science has just not evolved that far yet.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Dennis - there is no way to escape the hypnotic vortex of a kitchen equiped with a full refrigerator. Science has just not evolved that far yet.
      At least I have an excuse now! Can I have my wife call you so you can explain that to her? She wouldn't believe me if I told her that.
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      • Profile picture of the author HeySal
        Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

        At least I have an excuse now! Can I have my wife call you so you can explain that to her? She wouldn't believe me if I told her that.
        I charge for consultations.

        Thomas - I can't believe I did it even once. I was fortunate that nobody else had pumped after me and I got my money back. I left a pump once and forgot to pay years ago when you got to pay after you pumped - but I've never forgotten the gas and I swear I'll never do it again.........
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        Sal
        When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
        Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas Wilkinson
    I've always been blessed by an excellent sense of direction. My Dad, on the
    other hand, had none. One of the worst arguments we ever got into was
    when we were in downtown Detroit and I was trying to convince him we had to
    go south to get to Canada. He stopped and bought a freakin' map just to "prove
    me wrong". There it was, plain as day. Whether you take the bridge or the tunnel,
    both are directly south of downtown. He could never understand how I could find my way back from anywhere and I never understood how he could get lost in the shower.

    Sal, I've done that same thing twice in the last year. Once I almost ran out of gas trying to get back to the station where I had just paid.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aero69
    It's normal, don't worry that much about it. And stop reminding yourself that it's from childhood or you couldn't and you can't. Pay attention to the details (not only outside, but also of people, of things) and this way you can develop it, I did this way and it does help!
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