To ask how I can improve at spatial awareness and directions?

[Tikitaka20]

I’ve never been good with spatial awareness and directions, and just accepted I’m better at other things. I do want to improve though.

I don’t drive due to an eyesight problem, so that doesn’t help (as I think driving would help improve my sense of direction).

I’ve tried really focusing and concentrating when I go to new places, to get better at familiarising myself with the layout and directions, which is helping.

Very grateful for any tips please!

Walking local streets is much better than driving to develop a sense of direction.
A navigating app would tell you where you are and you could use that to get from A to B. You could try Here We Go.
For finding your way around and working out North, South, East West etc, a street map is the thing.
Also, work out where the Sun is relative to the time of day. This is another way to work out which direction you are going in. If you can, with all this cloud and rain.

Do you have dyspraxia? Can you ride a bike? I too was going to suggest walking or cycling around.
This is for children but might provide some tips:
https://napacentre.com.au/spatial-awareness/
https://tss.org.uk/downloads/factsheet5.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoq0YZnUEc_2u5SXca0HBwnKH77Oyai5wis_7f-hNKEMFz_zkaW-

Thanks all! @7238SM I don’t thiiink I have dyspraxia. I can ride a bike - I’m not super-confident, but it’s actually something I want to get better at.

Get someone to throw a tennis ball at you and say right or left randomly when they throw, so you have to catch it wit the corresponding hand. As you get better at it, get them to throw increasingly tough ones, off to the side etc.

Thanks - that’s a good plan. I haven’t got great hand-eye coordination, so that hopefully help to improve it.

Thanks - that’s a good plan. I haven’t got great hand-eye coordination, so that hopefully help to improve it.

I think you get to know an area well by walking around or riding a bike about.

I’m similar. Get lost in buildings, don’t drive, can’t catch, find riding a bike difficult.

What I find helps with directions is really noting landmarks. So I think ‘I’m turning left at the White Hart’ and really cement it in my head, then same for next turn. It’s when I’m daydreaming or just following someone that I have no idea where I am any more. If it’s really vital I have to find my way back easily like if I’m abroad and alone, I take photos at major turns, and follow along on a map to check where I am.