I’ve got this odd habit, maybe it’s happened to you. I stop what I am doing, and realize I need to go get something (in my house, at work, anywhere). In the big travel event of getting there (it could only be 10 feet) I have completely forgotten what I was going to get.
It’s embarrasing. This is on a need-to-know basis, so don’t feel you have to share it with all your non-funky brain friends. And please, tell me I’m not the only one who goes through this!
Table of Contents
- Walking – where thoughts get lost
- Losing tantalizing thoughts
- Waiting your turn lost thoughts
- Missing in action – tip of the tongue phemomenon
- Stress: the big elephant in the room
Walking – where thoughts get lost
I refer to this phenomenon as Lost In Transition. I swear, it’s like my brain is on a happy vacation when I move to go from Pont A to Point B (I see some of you nodding out there). Why does our brain do this?
I’ll again, refer you to my reference of “vacation”. It’s like my brain has completely shut off in a matter of seconds. I feel like I encapsulate the full essense of everything Minion (those yellow, chaotic creatures from the Despicable Me franchise).
It’s my brain at it’s worst short-term memory preformance. Boooo! I say.
Moving from Point A to Point B is my brain’s happy vacation time.
–ReneesRabbitHole
The fix for transition thoughts
For odd, lost thoughts come odd solutions. There are some techniques that we can borrow from the aging sector of the population. It’s something my aunt talked about. She had a home visit business for aging clientele. She directed them to simply repeat the “T” sound when there were gaps of silence, which helped them to maintain enough momentum to remember and continue the conversation. She’s implementing it herself as she ages.
For the walking into a room situation, how many of you say to yourself, “now what did I come in here for?” or “what am I doing?”. Talking to yourself is a good thing, and the secret weapon to regaining lost thoughts.
I’ve even come up with silly phrases, such as “And for my next trick!…” much to the dismay of my family. Don’t ask me why, but phrases like these center me quickly.
If you know that you are a repeat offender, TRY not to stand up, turn, or start walking, before you have locked that errand into your brain, rock solid! This can be done by just saying a word or two and repeat it on the journey to get where you need to be.
It sounds maybe ridiculous, but hey! I’ve been this way all my life, and the problem doesn’t get easier or go away, we just have to brain hack it!
UPDATE: Once again I was foiled, losing a thought. I decided to try something new. On a venture to retrieve a box, I uttered the word “box” until I arrived at the basement box pile, only to forget why I needed the box. It’s a rough road – hang in there!
I uttered the word “box” until I arrived at the basement box pile, only to forget why I needed the box.
-Renee’s Rabbit Hole
Losing tantalizing thoughts
I clearly have not embarrassed myself enough if I am telling you about the next brain mishap. When I relay a particularly dramatic or juicy part of a story, again – my brain shuts off. It’s a hard hiccup. I fumble with “sorry, I lost my thought”.
Lost my thought – at the moment of the punch line? I try to reserve these special moments for my family, who have gotten quite accustomed to my temporary lack of memory.
I’m quite sure that my brain is so intrigued with this fascinating tidbit, that it holds on to it, savors it. It’s like Easter candy you’re trying to make last forever, or exciting news you can’t wait to share that… you forget it.
Waiting your turn lost thoughts
This one is sooo hard. Of all the examples, I feel that this is the one most people experience – having to politely wait while someone else is talking. I know that you need to share your thought before it evaporates into the dryest of dry desert air.
Expressing ours thoughts to others is very self-satisfying. It’s like dopamine and your brain is hungry for it. May I suggest that there is also joy found in listening to others. Pausing and really enjoying the other’s conversation can be a whole new level of brain happiness.
After all, we did it while we were dating, I’m sure we can rediscover it.
How to fix lost thoughts on hold
I’ve got a few ideas, depending on the scenario:
- In a meeting, always be sure to have paper and pen. Write as little down as possible, while being a respectful listener at the meeting. There should be enough words to jog your memory when it’s your turn to speak.
- In casual conversation (while continuing to nod and smile), repeat one word in your mind periodically that will arise quickly when you can interject into the conversation.
- Alternatively, repeat an image that will trigger your memory while waiting your turn.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I think married couples with A.D.D. tendancies don’t have many verbal fights. Seriously, in the heat of the argument, I can’t remember a darn thing! Maybe that’s why marriage has lasted so long!
Missing in action – tip of the tongue phemomenon
Sorry folks, but in this instance our unique brains are just like everyone elses. We’ve all experienced the “tip of the tongue phenomenon” where recalling a name or other such thing escapes us.
According to VeryWellMind, “The most common resolution for the failure to recall a specific word is to not think about it, which is often when the word suddenly “pops up” out of nowhere.”
I actually prefer the “beat a dead horse” method where I dwell on it until I get the word back. I believe that’s called being stubborn.
Here are some tricks to jog your memory:
- Relax and Distract Yourself – Sometimes, the harder you try to remember, the further it slips away. Take a break, focus on something else, and let your brain work in the background.
- Try Related Words – Say words that are linked to what you’re trying to recall. If it’s a name, think of similar names. If it’s a concept, describe it in general terms.
- Think About the Context – Where were you when you first learned it? Who told you? What was happening at the time? Sometimes, reconstructing the scenario brings the memory back.
- Use Phonetic Guessing – If you vaguely remember how it sounds, start saying similar-sounding words aloud. Your brain might make the connection.
- Alphabet Scanning – Try going through the alphabet mentally, seeing if a certain letter triggers a memory.
- Google It (If Possible) – If you can remember part of it or a related idea, a quick search might lead you to the answer.
As my wise mother-in-law would say, it will come back if it was important. Just relax and let it go.
Stress: the big elephant in the room
We at times blame everything on our uniquely-wired brain. Factors such as increased stress, lack of sleep, too many carbs/sugars can all catch up with us.
I experienced an enormous amount of stress when my mother had an unexpected health event, which left her disabled. Within months, she had passed away, leaving me co-executor of the family farm. Although it was a shining moment for my siblings and I, there was a lot to process. I began stuttering, struggling often to find words on a daily basis. My immediate family just jumped in and interrupted the thoughts I was trying to get out, too impatient or unknowing if I ever would find my words.
We all know the prescription here: rest, relaxation, reducing the stress source, and healthy eatings (and drink lots of water)!
My only advice is to be kind to yourself during this time.
