New driver - Please help me!

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

I passed my test at the beginning of July at age 38.
I get lost in shopping centres on foot just for some idea of what I'm like.

I've just dropped DS off at his father's house which is a 10 minute drive. When it comes to returning home, I cannot for the life of me think how to reverse the journey and go back the same way.
I ended up on a detour round the town and the return took me about 25 minutes.

I have lived here all my life and I know where places are but I can't seem to get to them.
I then got really upset and frustrated with myself which just made it worse.

I may also be premenstrual

I feel like I'm losing my mind. Why can't I navigate a simple 10 minute journey?

My car also seems to hate me and I can't drive the bloody thing properly. I stall it all over the place which also makes me stressed.

Please tell me it gets easier, or is it just me? I feel maybe I've missed the boat and I'm too old to be a new driver, like my brain just can't cope with it all.

Passed mine mid 40s. Although I’d ridden motorbikes before that.

Couldn’t do hillstarts or parallel parking. 6 months later I actually enjoy doing them !

It gets easier.

However, I should know this town well enough by now, but I also can’t get in my car thinking right I have to drive to Toytown, do I go left or right when I get to the end of my road?.... it’s very odd. I’m always asking the kids which way to go. Bizarre.

I passed at 40. Drive every single day, do lots of driving when it’s quiet, Sunday mornings are excellent for this. Sit and visualise where you are going before you set off (I still do this).
I also like to plan and drive alternative routes. I’m actually much more knowledgeable than DH who has 20 years on me as I’ve specifically learned lots of routes.

Also remember when you are driving, say it to yourself, relax! I still need to do this as I realise I am clutching the steering wheel sometimes.