Question
As-salamu `Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
I have some trouble remembering places. I cannot describe to others the place where I would like to go to and I cannot describe with words the place where I want to go, it is worth mentioning that my memory is very strong in everything else. When I am driving the car, I try to focus my attention but I feel distracted. What is the reason for this? Is there a solution to this problem?
Answer
Dear valued sister, As-salamu `Alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah’s Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
It is well known that the ability to remember places is one of the gifts bestowed by Allah —the Almighty— to people disproportionately, and that is what educators call spatial intelligence.
For someone with a deficiency in this, travelling to new places can be a confusing experience. It can become more difficult for those who go somewhere without driving the vehicle themselves, for example.
Distraction plays an important role in remembering but this issue is very common, so it does not represent any morbid problem by itself and does not need any psychological treatment.
You can overcome this difficulty by training yourself. Whenever you go somewhere describe the places you see, explaining how to get there, and practicing it with your friends in the form of an entertaining game.
With my sincere greetings and appreciation.
