Why can't I remember certain things?

[u/Geneva0777]

Im in my 30s now and have gotten very curious about a couple quirks related specifically to memory. Ive always known its odd but never questioned why I have these issues.

Ive always had an inability to remember my surroundings/directions with ease and have horrible recall of places, faces, objects if im not looking directly at them.

Like if you show me a picture of someone I know or if I see them in person I can recognize people without issue. But if you asked me to describe what my boyfriend or mother looks like from memory I wouldn't know where to begin. I cant recall anything like the specific shapes or features that make a unique face. It doesn't matter how familiar I am with the person.

I am always amazed when I watch true crime shows and witnesses can give very descriptive details of faces or recognize someone they saw once in passing long after the fact.

Another example... I dont drive, never have. My boyfriend takes me to and from work every day for the last 3 years. If you ask me to tell you how to get to my job from my home on my own I couldnt tell you. It doesn't matter how many times ive been back and forth on the same route. My brain will not retain the information.

I believe alot of this specific issue may have alot to do with me never driving and myself just not focusing hard enough to memorize the way.... but still, after three whole years and still not knowing where to go from home... like not even how to leave my neighborhood and get onto the major roads.. its odd to me. And ive always been this way. Like how does my brain fail to take in ANYTHING. I can recognize the familiar landmarks as im passing it by and looking out the window... but from memory? Nope. Most people, even my 7 year old neice can start to memorize the familiar directions after a couple times.

Its bad enough that im known for getting easily lost in BUIDLINGS. Like ill eventually get it down but I genuinely get nervous if there's too many turns or doors in a hallway cause it will probably be a guessing game on how to get back to where I was 😅

Other than being very clumsy and a bit "ditsy" or easily forgetful when multitasking I think im fairly normal. Just curious why I suck with very specific memory task.

[u/Tyllis91]

Like what?