Hello, boys and girls. Today we are discussing a widespread issue. You may be embarrassed about your condition. At times you may have found yourself feeling lost, alone or anxious. But, you need to know that you are not the only one going through this. There are many people, including myself, that suffer from an inability to know where the f&%# you’re going. Here are 8 of the most popular symptoms you may have experienced if you are directionally challenged:

1. North? South? Where the heck are those?

Woah, slow the roll. I can barely remember if someone tells me to turn left or right on a street. If I have to find out where north or south is in order to go that way it’s all over. I am not Christopher Columbus. I am a confused college girl from suburbia trying to get to the nearest beach.

2. Road closings and street work are basically your worst nightmare.

It takes me approximately 25 times to learn how to get to a destination one way. How on Earth am I expected to just magically come up with an alternate route that doesn’t send me out of the country? If a road is blocked on the way to my destination, it seems more reasonable to just nix the whole journey rather than to just come up with a different way to get there.

3. People who have a natural sense of direction really blow your mind.

I would love to know how I got screwed out of inheriting the internal compass gene. My dad and brother can both hop in the car and instantly know which way is north, south, east, and west and can tell you exactly which direction to head to get somewhere. My mom and I are the complete opposite. Thanks a lot genetics, you sexist bastard.

4. Your driving skills tend to get compromised when you don’t know where you’re going.

Having no idea where I’m going actually gives me a lot of anxiety, which is why I always do my best to map it out before I depart. However, when I run into situations where I am simply unprepared or have to make alternative routes, I freak out. This typically results in my driving skills taking a little turn. I slow down way under the speed limit and start desperately whipping my head around for signs in hopes of recognizing some city or street name on one.

5. Your go-to GPS app is probably one of your favorite phone features.

I would just like to take this moment to thank everyone that has contributed to the invention and advancement of GPS. I would be absolutely HOPELESS without one. When I think of the times prior to this kind of technology I just get really sad, because I would not be where I am today. I would be in ditch on the side of the road. In fetal position. Somewhere in the middle of Canada.

6. You are definitely not the first one to volunteer to drive the whole crew on a road trip.

I’m the first one to suggest a plane or a train or any means of transportation that involves a professional navigating the journey for me. But, if my friends or family insist on the road trip route, I’m extremely hesitant to offer my chauffeur services, because driving in unfamiliar territory just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Thankfully, I’m lucky enough to have a boyfriend that offers to drive almost all of the time, and he actually knows where he’s going.

7. It’s gotten to the point where you have to choose the opposite direction of where your gut is telling you.

My friends laugh at me all the time, because whenever I throw in my input about a debated direction I am wrong 100% of the time. I legitamately always choose the wrong way. So, at this point if I think we’re supposed to go left, I tell my friends there is a pretty good chance we are supposed to go right.

8. Landmarks are your friends.

I’m a big fan of the directions that are along the lines of “turn left at the Starbucks; turn right at the McDonald's; and then the place is right next to the really large oak tree and old general store”. It helps me to visualize my journey rather than just trying to keep track of a collection of names and numbers in sequence.

Yes, being directionally challenged absolutely sucks. It is never fun to feel lost and anxious. Yet, I have never let my poor sense of direction impede my passion for travel and adventure. Thankfully in this day and age, there are resources to help those that have some troubles with navigating. Between GPS, the internet, and those who navigate with ease just a phone call away life is much easier than it was years before. I also try all the time to better my sense of direction and pay attention to where I’m going and how I am getting there. While you may not become an expert navigator overnight, is possible to improve your sense of direction with patience and practice.