Can you follow maps or directions?

[ofwarren]

I've always been really bad at it. Once I've visually found my way around a place, I know where I am by using landmarks but I just cannot follow directions either on a physical map or even the ones on Google maps which tell you which way to go.

I was in a city with my child alone a few days ago due to his hospital appointment and I needed to find my way to the hotel and I ended up really getting upset and stressed and on the verge of meltdown trying to work out how to get there using Google maps.
I can't seem to translate what's on screen to what I can actually see.

I've read that it's one of the symptoms of dyscalculia which I definitely think I have. I cannot remember strings of numbers or dates and I still get my kids dates of birth wrong and don't know my own phone number that I've had for over 15 years. I cannot do any maths higher than what they do in year 2 in primary school.

Totally understand
Why are the instructions so complicated??

I also have trouble remembering street names. Even the street next to the one where I grew up. If someone told me they live on New Street, I'd be clueless. I identify streets by who does/did live there or if there's anything that stands out e.g. village police station.

My sense of direction is very good but I use memory a lot - once I’ve driven somewhere i can visually remember small details of places I’ve passed so can retrace quite easily.
Maps are my thing - love them, study them whenever we go anywhere and like to plot pretend routes so usually have landmarks already in my head before we get there. On the ground, fine, like others though if you give me verbal directions they’re gone before you finish speaking…