Confused with my left and right

[Rainbow Dash]

The only way I can figure out which is left and right is if I think for a few seconds and pretend to write with my right hand (I'm right-handed) If somebody is standing in front of me (facing me) and they hold their left hand up (which would be on my right I think) it would take me a good while to figure out if it's their left or right arm. I also find it hard to like "mentally turn" maps to face the current direction rather than thinking north is on top.

Idk if it's the same thing or not but I got my d's and b's confused until I was about 12-13. If I never had a d in my name I'd probably still be confused.

I want to learn to drive soon :/ God help me if I need to pretend to write and think whenever I need to turn left or whatever >.>

Does anyone else have a similar problem?

[Ellie]

I still sometimes struggle with my lefts and rights as well. It's even worse when I'm giving someone directions I tend to make an L sign with my thumb and index finger and the L that is the right way around is my left hand, voila!

[Paddy]

I do some times, but my dyslexia confuses me alot.

[.Brittany.]

I do what Ellie has said. Then after doing that a lot, its become like second nature to me.. You can either do that, or maybe wear nail polish on your left nails? Something like that may help.

[Pelios]

Yes usually when I'm driving and someone tells me to turn right I turn left
But like other people have said make a visible mark on your left or right hand that way you won't confuse them.

[Melody Pond]

Originally Posted by Ellie

I still sometimes struggle with my lefts and rights as well. It's even worse when I'm giving someone directions I tend to make an L sign with my thumb and index finger and the L that is the right way around is my left hand, voila!

I used to do that.
When I started driving my instructor has stickers on the dash board for left and right. My new instructor doesn't have that so I started wearing my watch on my left so I knew my watch was on my left hand.
My Mum said her instructor used to write L and R on her hands.

Now I don't need to do any of that as driving has helped me just get it in to my head. There are still a few times when I have to think about it before I signal but I am pretty good with it know

Don't worry about driving, the practice will help your remember. Normally the instructor will see you have signalled the wrong way and tell you but if you do turn the wrong way the instructor is usually ok with it and just make you turn around. Just don't do that on your test.

[Briana]

Haha, I agree with Ellie. I use to make the L while driving, kinda dangerous, but oh well.

I still get my d's and b's mixed up.

[Bibliophile]

Your left hand makes the 'L' shape, and your right hand is usually the one you write with. I get confused because I'm ambidextrous.

[Celestial.]

Originally Posted by .Brittany.

maybe wear nail polish on your left nails? Something like that may help.

That's a pretty cool idea.

[Spellbound]

I still get very confused with my left and right. I've almost turned left when I'm supposed to turn right and vice versa during driving!
I really liked Brittany's idea about the nail polish, maybe I'll have to try that out myself.

[OMFG!You'reActuallySmart!]

Some neuropsychological syndromes have this as a symptom but just put something on your left and right hands/wrists. Wear a sweatband, a ring, a watch, etc... .

[emma01]

Originally Posted by !!!YOU'RE$NUCKING$FUTZ!!!

Some neuropsychological syndromes have this as a symptom but just put something on your left and right hands/wrists. Wear a sweatband, a ring, a watch, etc... .

This helped me when I was horse-riding! I would always wear a watch for lessons because when we were doing dressage, the instructor would say "Left at 'M' " or something, and I would always go right! So yea this is a good way!

But I have the same problem constantly..and I always pretend to right with my right hand!! It really works, but I thought I was crazy, and the only one that did it!

[Alicia.C]

The way you wrote the title to this post "left and right", I assume thats how you say it naturally? Can you do it that way? When you say left and right, look at your hands the way you read a book, one side to the other...left to right. Or, try wearing a right on one of your hands to represent the left or right.

[Stephanie]

I always mix up my left and right too, it takes me forever to figure it out. I usually just go with the "I write with my right, so I'm left with my left" saying. As for driving, I got the hang of it, but I guess that you could write L & R on each hand?

[xx little miss clumsy xx]

Originally Posted by Ellie

I still sometimes struggle with my lefts and rights as well. It's even worse when I'm giving someone directions I tend to make an L sign with my thumb and index finger and the L that is the right way around is my left hand, voila!

I do this too!!!
There's days I still get confused like but always get there in the end!
I'm dyspraxic so it may have something to do with that-or not!

[Gaia]

Originally Posted by Konstantine

I always mix up my left and right too, it takes me forever to figure it out. I usually just go with the "I write with my right, so I'm left with my left" saying. As for driving, I got the hang of it, but I guess that you could write L & R on each hand?

I was told by my instructor to do this in my test I'm just plain awful at my lefts and rights. I don't think they can fail you for making the wrong move, as long as you do it in the right way. They should give you plenty of warning so you can figure out which way you want to be heading, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I do the L with my thumb and forefinger too, though it tends to scare my passengers

[Psychosomatic]

I get mixed up aswell and think I write with my right hand and imagine myself writing too. I hate trying to give directions. This could have something to do with why I get lost a lot....