In today's social media-saturated world, does it feel like your memory is failing you? It's not that you can't remember anything, but rather that you're constantly distracted while trying to remember.
Just a few years ago, I had a nightly ritual. Before drifting off to sleep, I'd mentally replay my entire day, trying to recall every single detail. As a single person with no kids at the time, this luxury of free time allowed me to meticulously reconstruct most of my day. I'd remember the specific order of my morning routine, the unexpected comment from a colleague, or even the color of the car that cut me off on the way home.
Fast forward a few years, and when I tried this exercise again, I was often asleep before I could even recall what I had for breakfast! But giving up isn't an option. I've committed to doing this every evening, and you'd be surprised how quickly the faces of complete strangers or forgotten details begin to materialize in your thoughts. This simple act forces my brain to exercise forgotten pathways, much like when I was younger. The mind is a beautiful thing, and I'm sure this exercise has a scientific name. Maybe cognitive recall?
For me, the benefits are profound. This practice helps me focus in an age of constant distraction. It helps me remember things people said to me, preventing those "what was that important detail?" moments. It even helps me recall promises I made and then forgot about. It's all there, stored within our brains, if we just give ourselves the time and quiet space to access it. This nightly mental workout helps keep the distracted mind at bay, allowing for deeper engagement with my own thoughts and experiences.
Here is how I do it, perhaps you can try as well:
- Start with the first thing you remember when you wake up. Did you check the time? Was it your alarm that rang?
- Which side of the bed did you get up from?
- Where was your tooth brush when you got to the bathroom?
- What was the notification on your phone?
- Who did you speak to first? What did you say?
If your brain was mushed like mine, every step of the way it tried to distract me. But I remain persistent and try to recall as much as possible. Our brain rarely gets the time to think without us bombarding it with media. This is a moment for it to shine and explore itself. Let me know how it goes for you.