I’ve Forgotten What I Was Going To Say
life December 14th. 2007, 4:45pmI forget things. I need reminders. It’s that simple.
Sometimes I need reminders about things that should be in my short term memory. I misplace my keys and wallet quite often. I always find them later, but it does cause some anxiety when I can’t find them. The main source of the anxiety is when my wife gets worried when I can’t find important things. Good thing she looks out for me!
My short-term memory has declined a bit over the past few years, mainly because I’m multi-tasking and trying to hold a number of things in my memory. Eventually things are going to fall out because of my preoccupation. I tend to be one of these people who bangs into doors, walls, furniture, you name it, because I’m not really focused in the here and now. I haven’t broken any bones yet, but there’s always a possibility?
My long term memory is in decent shape, but lately I’m starting to forget the names of people that I haven’t seen for a long time. That really sucks, especially when you’re having a conversation with them. I tend to use the word “you” a lot when I get stuck like this. I guess people think that I’m considerate, and a people person. I haven’t tried to change their minds!
Multitasking, in addition to the effects of stress, play havoc with our health and our memory. So be it. We just need to realize it and take steps to deal with it.
In fact, Leo over at Zen Habits (a man who really knows how to get visitors to your blog) wrote a great article about ways to declutter your mind. It looked pretty cool and worth reading.
I’m going to print it out and read it later - if I can remember.
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December 14th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
sounds like santa needs to give you some post it notes for giftmas.
December 15th, 2007 at 10:36 am
@tequila - I’d settle for a few new brain cells. I’ve got loads of post-it notes, I just keep forgetting that I have them.
December 15th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I’m feeling you on this one! Story of my life! I guess it’s the price we pay for leading busy lives where there’s tons of things on the go, right?
December 15th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Mark, take a look at 5S . It is clutter that hurts me most, but whenever I create a place for everything and everything has its place, I find my own memory improves for the discipline - though I acknowledge it is not an easy habit to acquire.
I also find visual systems, support the process of creating a discipline, and this discipline does not have to be 5S, it can be anything that gets a regular pattern or groove going. Indeed even my online sojourns are embedded with an informal discipline or process.
Yet it is clutter that I find is the biggest culprit to creating distraction, followed closely by assuming that we need all the media we consume. Of course since you write a blog, I guess it might be self-defeating to focus on media as a discipline
M.
December 15th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
@bamboo blitz - Welcome to the new blog! Yeah, we’re all busier, at least mentally, but there must be better ways to handle it all.
@syven - There certainly can be a connection between physical and mental clutter and I’ve heard of 5S before. thanks for the comment.
December 15th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
I take medication that nukes my short term memory, although I’ve noticed lately that I don’t know what year it is, and the only way I know it’s the weekend is because my husband doesn’t go to work. It’s not pretty. Of course I can’t remember anyone’s name ever, even seconds after they tell me. That’s why I call them my neighbors with the shit-eating dog (on one side) and my neighbors with the wiener dog herd (on the other side). Of course all my books are like new to me, so I never need to buy new ones. Score!
December 15th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
dude,
your picture for entrecard is awesome
i have good photographic memories, especially people faces hehe
December 16th, 2007 at 6:55 am
@karen - that’s looking at the positive side of memory problems!
@lankapo - I like the picture, too. My avatar was created by an old friend.
December 17th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
If I dont WRITE it down… I forget things too.
I am the worst at remembering anything anymore. Must be an old age thing.
December 17th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
@meleah - meh, I’m older than you!