#Meno-Moments and #Memory

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memory loss

My definition of memory:  It’s a part of our subconscience that computes life’s events, instilled to serve us for when we wish to recollect or locate something.

This is not to be confused with memories of the long ago past, as it seems my brain has no trouble remembering the color of a certain dress I may have worn when I was four years old, yet hesitates to remind me about what I ate for dinner last night.

I used to pride myself on my excellent memory. I am grateful that it still serves me up great detail of my past, but as my shorter term memory has somewhat vanished, making lists to do, to buy, to go, and reminders, have become part of my everyday living.

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My great recollections of the yesteryears enable me to write a lot about my past. Thankfully, I don’t have to write about yesterday’s news or it may go something like this: “Um, right, yesterday as I was eating my ? for lunch, I realized I had forgotten where I put my keys after coming home from (insert wherever). I know I always leave them in the front hall desk drawer, and I remember getting sidetracked while placing them down. My cell phone rang in my purse before I barely got my boots off. . . ” That’s where the concentration ends.

When I’m no longer focused on the immediate task at hand and am taken off course by a distraction, I unconsciously disregard my original intent while focusing on the next event. This is how I tend to misplace things.

Retrieval Method: When I go into search mode, I pinpoint back to the last thing I remember doing at the time I placed down my keys and mull over what took place when I lost the item, which at least gives me a hint of the vicinity where I should begin looking.

Annoying little things like these types of incidents send my inner think tank into a frenzy. What really frustrates me about this little memory game are the moments when I lose a word. It often feels as though a name or a place sitting right there on the tip of my tongue is yet so far away from my brain to grasp. It isn’t that I don’t actually know the word to use, it just won’t reveal itself to me.

Words, keys, shoes, meals, occasionally get lost in a secret cabinet in my brain, which I occasionally lose access to. If I could only remember in what part of my brain I keep that little cabinet, I may be able to better remember where everything else is.

I know I must have plenty of company in this department?

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D.G. Kaye ©2015

38 thoughts on “#Meno-Moments and #Memory”

  2. I have the same problem, Debby, and just figure my brain is full. There just isn’t any room for all the new miscellaneous data. Plus, as writers, we use quite a bit of brain space for things that don’t exist. This has nothing to do with being old. 😀

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  3. I get your retrieval method. This morning I had to resort to calling my cell phone. Tricky because if it’s upstairs when I’m downstairs (which it was), I can’t hear it ring. Sigh…
    My short term memory gets flaky when I’m overwhelmed and have little time for quiet. That’s happened a lot the last year. Right now I’m enjoying more space in life and more time to dig into what I’m writing about next. I can’t find a new voice when I’m frazzled. I hope to get lots written this winter, but we’ll see what life has in store.

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    1. I hear you Elaine. I’ve called my cell phone plenty of times, lol. And it does seem that when we’re too hasty, our memories get flustered. I’ve been so behind on writing my new books that I think I’m just going to try and get through my list of to dos for the rest of the year and hopefully find my mojo next month in Arizona. I have no doubts you will find your voice and your words. 🙂

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  10. Oh can I relate. And, here’s a frightening fact I learned recently. There is a school of thought that intelligent people (a group I only hope I belong to) may not find out they’re losing memory as early as others do because, as a result of their intelligence, they find “work arounds” or strategies to cope so their loss of memory doesn’t derail them as early as it might. While that sounds like a good thing, it can also mean that people who strategize this way may not seek medical attention as soon as they should. Damn! I knew I’d be better offer stupider! 🙂

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  11. Ahh Debby, when I read this via FB I meant to come here and leave a comment, but, well, do I need to explain after this? Ha! I do just what you do when I can’t remember where I put things – my glasses are the most common thing for me – and as for forgetting a word, oh that is just so annoying. I can’t wait to read your book, maybe I won’t feel so bad about the brain fog and memory thing. Nobody tells us about this stuff do they? Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone in this… ❤

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    1. Lol Sherri, isn’t it comforting to know that we aren’t alone? I think that’s why many resonated with this book. And it’s funny how common the ‘old glasses tale’ is always a favourite with so many. Although, I don’t have that issue because I wouldn’t be able to see a darn thing without them period so I’d never fool myself they were on my head or something while searching, lol. Yes Sherri, nobody tells us, so it’s up to people like me to share the tales. 🙂 xo

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      4. And forgot to say, yes, it is a great comfort, you’re a gem Debby for writing such a book, I will be spreading the word amongst my friends, for sure!!! xoxo

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  12. I think I could have written this post! It resonated so closely to my forgetfulness. Unfortunately I can’t even blame age for it – I was like this as a young girl. Thanks for a relevant post. Loved it. Gayle Moore-Morrans

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