Why do I always get things wrong?

[Maryisquitecontrary]

I think I am reasonably capable and have been fairly high achieving academically and professionally, but I just seem to get things wrong all the time and it drives me mad, because it's not for want of trying!

It's difficult to think of example but for instance at a rural event where most vehicles parked on a country lane, I parked right off the road in the verge because I thought it would be best to allow lots of space for traffic to get by, while most people laughed at me for parking in amongst the nettles. The other day someone was reversing their car while I was on foot and I stood still with my dog so my dog wouldn't run out, and it turned out they wanted me to stand where they could see me so they knew my dog was safe (it didn't occur to me they couldn't see me, although they would have done a moment before)

Then the next time I remember these instances and for example don't park so far on the verge and it turns out I've not left enough room.

I just don't seem to get things "right"! I don't think it's common sense as such which is the issue, but maybe it is! Also I think I come across as a bit daft sometimes so maybe that colours people's judgement of my actions rather than the actions being wrong per se?

Please help me - I feel like Frank Spencer sometimes! What can I do to be a more competent member of society?!

Ahhh a fellow Frank Spencer....good to meet you.

Me too, all the time!
I’m a good intelligent person, not selfish, think of others a lot yet still bugger things up a lot.
It’s crap.

The examples you've given are stuff we all do from time to time but you won't see that. All you see is the odd daft thing you do. You may be very critical of yourself so those moments stick in your head and every time you do something else it's added on top of the pile of memories.

Some people do daft things slightly more than others me being one of them, but I think I shrug those times off and aren't effected by them as you are.

Try to be kind to yourself and put them to one side.

You probably don’t get things wrong most of the time. How many times have you got things spot on? No one is a mind reader. Just today I was waiting for someone to pull out of a parking space as they didn’t look like they’d actually parked. and ended up pulling up next to him to ask if he was parking only for him to point out I was blocking his exit. No body is perfect or has perfect judgement. From the examples you’ve given I think you can let yourself off the hook as being an entirely normal human.

Sounds like a confidence issue - you'll be better when you're a bit older - may be . Or perhaps by then you won't give a shit -

Might be speaking for myself here

Yeah I'm like this too, often feel I've read things wrong. I am an overthinker though.

Yeah, you're not alone here. I find that the more considerate and helpful I try to be, the worse I make things for those im trying to make things easier for. I am skilled at making a simple thing become complicated.

No advice OP but I'm exactly the same!

OP, two recent examples of my stupidity:

Lighting the candles on a birthday cake, where the candles are all the way round the edge of the cake with a 'number' candle in the middle. I lit the outside ones first, burnt my fingers to buggery trying to light the number one and ended up having to hold the match with tongs to do so 🙄

Did my 15 minutes of learning Italian with Duolingo without realising that my settings were set to Spanish 🙄🙄

You're not alone!

I’m a bit of a Frank Spenser too!

I just don’t always get things and people will make fun of me. It’s hurtful.
Especially as I don’t make fun of others.

People are mean

God this is me and I will totally overthink and feel mortified for years after. I’ve done so many stupid things mainly when I’ve tried to be helpful. It’s painful