Neurological Awareness
The Narrow Streets of My Memory: The Beginning of the Journey
Sometimes I walk into a room and forget what I was about to do. A phone number, the punchline of a joke just told, or an important detail a friend shared with me just yesterday. At first, I brushed them off, thinking, "I’m probably just too busy." But one day, when I kept searching for a grocery list that was right in front of me, I paused. That moment, I realized I needed to confront myself: I am forgetting things, and I can't deny it. A sense of unease settled in; even though I knew I wasn’t alone, I understood that forgetfulness was beginning to play a defining role in my life.
Forgetfulness: Ordinary or Extraordinary?
The word forgetfulness often brings to mind concepts like “old age” or “absent-mindedness.” However, this situation can affect people of all ages in today’s world. The increasing load of information, the hectic pace, multitasking, and the constant digital stimulation we experience all test our memories more than ever. According to a 2020 report by the American Psychological Association, about 60% of adults report a tendency to occasionally forget important information or experience confusion (source).
But here lies a critical distinction: Forgetfulness is usually normal, though sometimes it can signify an underlying biological cause. The moment I realized this, I breathed a sigh of relief. The worry that asked, “Do I have a problem?” began to fade away.
The Scientific Foundations of Forgetfulness
Our brain is an incredibly complex and sensitive organ. The information we encounter in daily life is processed in short-term memory and, if repeated or given meaning, is transferred to long-term memory. But our brain’s processing capacity has its limits: When a person is presented with seven plus or minus two pieces of information at once, they can optimally hold them in working memory (source).
Stress hormones (especially cortisol) directly affect memory.
Lack of sleep impairs encoding and long-term recall of information (source).
Imbalances in vitamin B12, vitamin D, and thyroid hormones are linked to forgetfulness.
Aging naturally leads to a loss of brain cells, but this isn’t always pathological (e.g., dementia).
Modern life brings more triggers for forgetfulness every day. Experts say forgetfulness happens to almost everyone, in every era and culture.
Fight Forgetfulness, or Accept It?
For a while, I tried to fight my forgetfulness with memory exercises, technological aids, and reminders. Different mobile apps, notebooks, sticky Post-its… Yes, these helped to some extent. But deep in my heart, I always thought, "This too shall pass..." It didn’t. In fact, these efforts sometimes created more stress.
One day, I read an article about how people who make peace with their memory view their forgetfulness not as a flaw, but as a natural part of life. And so I changed my perspective: I started to love and accept my forgetfulness as part of who I am.
Making Peace With Forgetfulness: A Personal Experience
"Forgetting also has its own story to tell; sometimes it lightens a burden."
At first, being left alone with ‘forgetting’ was isolating. Then I shared it with my friends. Some were like me, or had relatives who experienced similar things. Talking about it didn’t bring shame; it brought strength. I began to understand, rather than judge myself: Why was I forgetting certain things or events? Was it busyness, stress, distraction, or just the natural flow?
Some days, I made jokes about my forgetfulness; other days, I took it more seriously. What I realized is this: Forgetfulness sometimes invites us not only to care for our brains—but also our hearts. In every small forgotten detail, it’s possible to show ourselves compassion and understanding.
The Link Between Brain Health and Forgetfulness
Keeping the brain healthy is key to managing forgetfulness. Scientifically, the following elements support mental capacity:
Regular physical exercise: Aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain and promotes new synaptic connections.
Quality sleep: While sleeping, the brain processes and stores information gathered during the day.
Brain exercises: Activities such as puzzles, learning a new language, or playing a musical instrument can support memory capacity.
Stress management: Meditation, breathing exercises and mindfulness can reduce the negative impact of stress hormones on memory.
Healthy diet: Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and a diet rich in fresh fruits/vegetables may help nerve cells endure longer (source).
Small lifestyle changes you make to manage forgetfulness can provide lasting support for your brain health. But the key word here is “manage.” Not every instance of forgetfulness is a problem—sometimes, it’s just an expression of life.
Why Is It So Hard to Accept Forgetfulness?
Society often sees "always remembering" as the key to success and productivity. Especially at work or in social environments, forgetting a detail can lead to “jokes” or criticism. Sometimes people interpret forgetfulness as “carelessness” or “failure”—but science shows us that this is mostly a mistaken prejudice.
According to Psychology Today, understanding and accepting the limits of memory directly supports mental well-being (source).
What Helped in My Peace-Making Process?
Acceptance: I often reminded myself that forgetting is nothing to be ashamed of—it is part of human nature.
Openness: When I forgot something, I wasn’t afraid to say so: Saying “Would you remind me, please?” made life easier.
Seeking support: I learned to ask for help from both those close to me and, when needed, a professional. Sometimes medical checks are important.
Creating systems: Using reminders on my smartphone wisely, or building habits (like not changing where I leave my keys), really helped me.
Memory journal: I wrote down emotional burdens and important moments in a notebook. Pouring anxieties or resentments I didn’t want cluttering my memory onto paper helped relieve my mind.
When Should You Consult a Specialist?
Some forgetfulness is harmless in everyday life. But if you notice one or more of the following, a professional evaluation is necessary:
Frequently forgetting your address or your loved ones’ names
Getting lost often
Difficulty performing familiar tasks (e.g., cooking, shopping)
Significant changes in personality or behavior
Because sometimes, forgetfulness may be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, thyroid imbalance, vitamin deficiencies, or other medical conditions. The Turkish Neurological Society reports that 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 in Turkey has dementia (source).
Forgetfulness and Emotional Baggage
Forgetting sometimes feels like a burden, and other times like a lightening cloud. There were days when I scolded myself for forgetting something, or told myself "You should have been more careful." Over time, I learned this: Instead of blaming ourselves, making peace with our forgetfulness requires loving our mistakes and our absent-mindedness too.
Forgetfulness can sometimes be a way to let go of the weight of the past—or the key to recalling things anew. Making peace with yourself is a journey, and along this road, you need as much gentleness, compassion, and understanding as you can muster.
The Power of Lightening Together
The more friends around me shared their forgetfulness, the more I realized how deeply human this really is. Forgetting can mean making room for the new, or clearing out unnecessary burdens from the brain. As we treat ourselves and others more compassionately, forgetfulness becomes not a shame, but a common human bond.
Practical Tactics for Managing Forgetfulness Properly
Make small lists: Prepare simple lists for shopping, to-dos, or daily goals.
One task at a time: Instead of multitasking, focus on one thing at a time.
Set activity times: Allocate quiet, distraction-free periods for learning, reading, or thinking.
Keep social ties vibrant: Research shows that quality social relationships protect brain health.
Humorous approach: Turning your forgetfulness into a gentle joke sometimes lightens the emotional load.
Certain Moments, Certain Memories: The Beauty of Forgetting
There are moments in my life that I never want to forget. Yet I’ve also realized that letting go of certain details tucked away in the dusty shelves of the past has offered me new discoveries and fresh beginnings. Instead of flooding my memory with endless details, I learned to keep it fresh for meaningful and valuable tomorrows.
"Every act of forgetting opens a door to new remembering. Learning to love the limits of memory, trusting myself, and realizing that I am not alone on this journey."
Conclusion: Forgetfulness as a Companion
Forgetfulness is a natural part of life. When I started seeing it as a companion rather than an enemy, life felt lighter, and my mistakes found new meanings. Try making peace with your own forgetfulness: First, seek to understand, then to accept—and finally, allow room for the little details that make life beautiful.
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