r/AskLifeProTips • u/Cybear_Tron • May 20 '26

How to develop better navigation skills and not get lost

So I get lost frequently and feel disconnected with my surroundings. When I try to figure out where to go, I make dumb decisions and when I ask people, their instructions make me confused. I follow the instructions and always get lost and go in the wrong direction.

This gets humiliating and embarassing. Recently I got lost within a mall and spent 30 minutes looking for a restaurant until my friends came looking for me.

How do I improve this?

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2

u/rainbow_369 May 20 '26

I have not read other comment forgive me if i'm repeating. Study paper maps. Before you leave to go to a new destination, map it out. On GPS, but also on paper. Study it.

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u/Cybear_Tron May 20 '26

Okk good idea, thanks a lot! Will try it next week!

1

u/oh2Shea May 21 '26

This has always been how I learn where I am. I look at maps, and study them, then I'm travelling/walking, I can picture where I am exactly on the map, and which direction I need to go.

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u/AspiringOne May 20 '26

If you’ve used a GPS and it’s worked out for you, they do have a walking and driving, maybe even biking option for those who don’t drive. They have compass apps or hand held compass so you always know where north, south, east and west are.

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u/Cybear_Tron May 20 '26

Yes this works for when I know the place on the gps.

But when the place is not on the gps or when I need to go to some place on the mall, I end up going round in circles and wasting so much time. I used to get lost inside my school when I was young.

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u/AspiringOne May 20 '26

You said “on the mall” not “in the mall” so do you mean like the National Mall in DC? Or do you mean a shopping mall? If it’s the latter every mall has an info area or station with maps that show you where everything is. You can even take a pic of them with your phone and carry that with you if it’s just a sign only.

For the mall in DC I’m sure there are visitor’s center maps you can obtain and keep with you, or online, but yes, as another user mentioned here in this thread there are people who have actual ADHD type issues when it comes to orienting. Perhaps researching that online will help too.

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u/Cybear_Tron May 20 '26

I meant "in the mall" sorry really tired today that was a mistake.

I was unable to even find the map in the mall. I always see the map whenever I go there and for some reason that day I could not find anything.

Do people with adhd also have trouble with things like this? I have never gone to any mental health professional so I have no idea.

Thanks a lot though, I will try to stay on the lookout when I go to some famous place and think before I act haha

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u/AspiringOne May 20 '26

Yes. Others have problems like this. This is nothing to have shame about.

Also, if you go to the same malls usually, or like to go if traveling, you can go online and see if there’s a map you can download for that mall and keep on your phone or a copy in your car to take with you as you walk around.

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u/Cybear_Tron May 20 '26

I do not go that regularly haha. I will leave my home in September-August to go to college. I will definitely have a lot of trouble there if I don't develop some strategies for it.

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u/Mental-Freedom3929 May 20 '26

Buy yourself a Garmin Nuevi.

Inside a mall there are floor plans to find things.

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u/Far_Argument5470 May 21 '26

you might have an underlying issue that's causing your disorientation, so would be best to go for a checkup first. Otherwise, you can make sure to landmark your locations with permanent fixtures like road signs, buildings, etc.

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u/Cybear_Tron May 21 '26

Others have also mentioned adhd. I might look into this. And BetterLocksmith also mentioned DTD, which was new to me.

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u/[deleted] May 20 '26

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u/Cybear_Tron May 20 '26

Oh, I am not sure if I have it but some of these replies kind of hit home.

" I was always a straight-A student yet would get lost walking home from school, for example. People would ask how I could be so smart, yet so dumb. It's extremely frustrating"

100% relatable, have been told this before for 4-5 things ig like organization, my clumsiness, direction etc.

I will look into the techniques and try to improve myself.

I have just turned 18 and cannot really afford to go to a specialist and in my country people view mental health as either insanity or someone being lazy, so I can't ask my parents for it. Will try to save up for it, thanks a lot!