Before cell phones, I used to memorize phone numbers. I can’t estimate the number of phone numbers I memorized, but I was referred to as phone directory. When cell phones get popular, I depend on it to store the phone numbers and my brain gets lazy.
It was hard when I misplaced keys, glasses, or looked at an acquaintance and couldn’t remember her name. I tried to concentrate and pray. Many times I found the misplaced items immediately. My memory is still there, but it takes longer to retrieve information.
My husband and I have regular place for keys, glasses, cell phones, and other daily use items. When we need them, we could reach them right away.
The funny thing is when I went on trips; I tried to hide my important things in a secret place. It was so secret that when I returned from the trips, I forgot what the secret place was!
Both my husband and I realize that our short term memory is not as quick as when we were younger. Therefore, when something needed to be done, we usually do it right away, instead of wait until later. If we can’t do it right away, we write it on a note paper, record it on the cell phone, or send a text to ourselves.
As for me, I love playing board games or computer games. I also take classes for the retirees to continue learning new things. All these activities help my brain stays active and responds quickly.
I totally get the need for lists and setting reminders and agree it comes with age. Numbers have got longer too now everyone has a phone, it used to be one house number and now everyone in the house has a number!!
Good for you!! Keep using the natural way. Good for your brain cells. My husband used to do dirtbike in the desert with no paved routes. He could come back from the mountain, the dirt road. He still doesn’t use GPS!
It seems true that today with our increasing dependence on the internet of all things, we get “lazy” to recall or memorize things. Since we can look it up anyway…
Some medication, such as anti-anxiety med, relax your nerve, so your brain is relaxed, not working as hard. When I take pain med, my brain feels too relaxed!!
My surgery was not serious, but very painful, thankfully it will ease my pain in the long run. It was for my bladder pain. My husband’s pain is for his gallbladder.
He will, it is a matter of getting rid of the pain it is causing right now, the after effects of the surgery will be minor pain in comparison to what he has been going through.
Yes, I understand that. My husband suffered back pain for 20+ years, but never complained to me. When he got to a point where he couldn’t stand it, it took major surgery to correct that, 5 screws plus fusion! He feels better now.
Like bethanyk I remember childhood phone numbers but current ones are committed only to my phone’s memory. Without my appointments calendar I’d be lost.
I still remember my home phone number and my siblings numbers in Hong Kong. That’s in my long term memory. Short term memory is info you get most recently. When I aged, the short term memory is not sharp enough to retain info! The long term memories are pressed firm in the brain! Isn’t it interesting!!
Indeed it is. I teach Cognitive Psychology, and memory is a major topic. Even my college age students are better at remembering their first grade teacher’s name than someone they just met.
Oh hi Thomas, the way I understand is the magic 7. Remember, or recite 7 items (or 7 numbers) presented to you in the last 7 minutes without repeat after or practice. Is it right!
When I did my doctoral program, the stat professor made up some mnemonic device for us to remember the some procedure of stat. Use simplicity to associate with complexity!
Distraction can be a factor for short term memory also. Even right now, if I put an item on the shelf, I focus, look at it for a couple seconds, let it register in my mind, I have better chances remembering where I put it!
True…if by any chance the phone is non functional…it is difficult to call anyone as we won’t be able to remember any of the numbers…nor even our family members….
I know, I’ve heard people got panic because the phone got damaged! I do keep a hard copy of all the phone numbers in my computer plus a paper copy in my purse!
With THAT being said, none of those numbers from childhood even exist and ifyou ask my my friend’s number now i have no clue bc i tis in my contacts on my phone!!!!
I think back then we just remembered because we had to. Now technology makes us not have to use memory
I know, technology is good and … in a restaurant, I saw two young people apparently on a date. The girl was busy on the phone. The guy didn’t know what to do, eventually he also took out a phone. They don’t know how to interact and talk with each other…
My daughter is 20. When we go to dinner I always tell her before we go in, your phone stays in your purse. I have met adults out and they keep checking their phone the entire time. It is as if they have no idea how to be in the present moment. No one taught them I guess. Or maybe that is the norm but it certainly shouldn’t be!
It’s good for you to do that to your daughter. My daughter and her husband just got their smartphones last year because all these years, they didn’t want to have all the gadgets to distract them. When they posted their phones on Facebook, their friends teased them that they were 10 years behind. But they spent a lot of time with each other and other people!
That’s fantastic! I just got a cell phone for christmas and everyone said the same thing “Finally Bethany is living in the current century” but I rarely turn it on. Only if I am out in my wheelchair alone or in the car. Everyone I need to speak to is right with me!
The Showers of Blessings 
I totally get the need for lists and setting reminders and agree it comes with age. Numbers have got longer too now everyone has a phone, it used to be one house number and now everyone in the house has a number!!
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Yes, that’s so true. Some have two numbers each – office, cell, not counting the house!
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So maybe our memories are not to blame, I’m not sure I would have ever remembered all those numbers. Saying that I’ll keep the lists though 😉
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I surely will keep the lists!
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Drumroll for iPhones! I was so good at remembering numbers and routes to places. So deliberately don’t use the phone, unless I am in a very new area.
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Good for you!! Keep using the natural way. Good for your brain cells. My husband used to do dirtbike in the desert with no paved routes. He could come back from the mountain, the dirt road. He still doesn’t use GPS!
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It seems true that today with our increasing dependence on the internet of all things, we get “lazy” to recall or memorize things. Since we can look it up anyway…
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I can remember a few old phone numbers, but not many. I too think I suffer from short term memory loss. But I think my medications may be causing it.
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Some medication, such as anti-anxiety med, relax your nerve, so your brain is relaxed, not working as hard. When I take pain med, my brain feels too relaxed!!
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I live on anti-anxiety and occasionally on pain pills. Like right now. 🙂
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Manage your pain is more important than get your brain worry about things!
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You are right! I will be better after today. I’m so sure of it. 🙂
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Oh good to hear that! Do you do anything special today to fell better?
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I had surgery today so I will be feeling better by tomorrow. Husband has surgery on Weds and we will both be good to go then. 🙂
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Is your surgery serious? Your husband has a back surgery?
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My surgery was not serious, but very painful, thankfully it will ease my pain in the long run. It was for my bladder pain. My husband’s pain is for his gallbladder.
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Wow, hopefully he’s get better sooner to help you!
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He will, it is a matter of getting rid of the pain it is causing right now, the after effects of the surgery will be minor pain in comparison to what he has been going through.
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Yes, I understand that. My husband suffered back pain for 20+ years, but never complained to me. When he got to a point where he couldn’t stand it, it took major surgery to correct that, 5 screws plus fusion! He feels better now.
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My goodness! Thank the Lord he is better now!
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Thank you!
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That’s good! Take care, both of you!!
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I’m Ashamed to say I would have to look in my mobile phone for my home phone number!
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When I was in Portland shopping, tried to use my daughter phone number for her to get credit. I got it wrong both times. I said, never mind.
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Like bethanyk I remember childhood phone numbers but current ones are committed only to my phone’s memory. Without my appointments calendar I’d be lost.
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I still remember my home phone number and my siblings numbers in Hong Kong. That’s in my long term memory. Short term memory is info you get most recently. When I aged, the short term memory is not sharp enough to retain info! The long term memories are pressed firm in the brain! Isn’t it interesting!!
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Indeed it is. I teach Cognitive Psychology, and memory is a major topic. Even my college age students are better at remembering their first grade teacher’s name than someone they just met.
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Oh hi Thomas, the way I understand is the magic 7. Remember, or recite 7 items (or 7 numbers) presented to you in the last 7 minutes without repeat after or practice. Is it right!
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Yes…the magic number 7! George Miller talked about the idea that we can only hold 7 or so chunks of information at once.
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When I did my doctoral program, the stat professor made up some mnemonic device for us to remember the some procedure of stat. Use simplicity to associate with complexity!
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Though one of my stat professors was so boring, the story went around that even he fell asleep in one of his classes 🙂
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It takes special people to like stat. I’m not one of them…haha… I walked any way.
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Distraction can be a factor for short term memory also. Even right now, if I put an item on the shelf, I focus, look at it for a couple seconds, let it register in my mind, I have better chances remembering where I put it!
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my short term memory has weakened with the busy lifestyle, technology and noise that is the norm of our time. I feel the need to slow down and focus
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Yes, exactly. Thank you. I may try a non-tech day once in awhile!
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True…if by any chance the phone is non functional…it is difficult to call anyone as we won’t be able to remember any of the numbers…nor even our family members….
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I know, I’ve heard people got panic because the phone got damaged! I do keep a hard copy of all the phone numbers in my computer plus a paper copy in my purse!
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I STILL REMEMBER all my friends, grandma, home number , all numbers from when I was a little kid 45 years ago!
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Wow, that’s very impressive! I should start remembering them again instead of depend on the phone contacts!
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With THAT being said, none of those numbers from childhood even exist and ifyou ask my my friend’s number now i have no clue bc i tis in my contacts on my phone!!!!
I think back then we just remembered because we had to. Now technology makes us not have to use memory
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, technology is good and … in a restaurant, I saw two young people apparently on a date. The girl was busy on the phone. The guy didn’t know what to do, eventually he also took out a phone. They don’t know how to interact and talk with each other…
LikeLiked by 1 person
My daughter is 20. When we go to dinner I always tell her before we go in, your phone stays in your purse. I have met adults out and they keep checking their phone the entire time. It is as if they have no idea how to be in the present moment. No one taught them I guess. Or maybe that is the norm but it certainly shouldn’t be!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good for you to do that to your daughter. My daughter and her husband just got their smartphones last year because all these years, they didn’t want to have all the gadgets to distract them. When they posted their phones on Facebook, their friends teased them that they were 10 years behind. But they spent a lot of time with each other and other people!
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That’s fantastic! I just got a cell phone for christmas and everyone said the same thing “Finally Bethany is living in the current century” but I rarely turn it on. Only if I am out in my wheelchair alone or in the car. Everyone I need to speak to is right with me!
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I know what you mean. I have a 3G family plan. I use only 0.1 G every month! Hardly use it! Take care of your self!
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