If your brain feels like it’s stuck in a game of bumper cars, bouncing from one thing to the next with no finish line in sight, you’re not alone.
Between school deadlines, summer prep, grocery lists, and work emails, it’s easy to feel like your brain is just… tired.
And if you’ve ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you’re there, or opened your phone to send a quick text only to end up 15 minutes deep into Reels with no idea what you were supposed to do…
Yeah, same.
But here’s the good news:
You’re not lazy.
You’re not a mess.
Your brain is just overwhelmed—and it’s doing exactly what it was designed to do under stress.
Even better news?
You don’t need a new planner or a color-coded life makeover to feel more clear and in control.
Let’s talk about 3 super simple memory resets that’ll help you stay on top of everything—even when life feels like a lot.
This is the first episode in the Operation May Reset series, and it’s your permission slip to stop pushing harder and start creating space that works with your brain instead of against it.
Why Your Brain Is Struggling to Keep Up
Here’s a little behind-the-scenes on why memory starts to glitch out—especially in seasons like May when everything feels like it’s happening at once.
- End-of-year school events
- Summer planning
- Work deadlines
- House stuff
- That one random load of laundry that refuses to be folded
Your brain’s number one job is to keep you safe and moving. When things get overwhelming, it switches into survival mode and starts filtering out anything that doesn’t feel urgent.
Spoiler: remembering to grab sunscreen or send that RSVP? Not urgent.
So no, you don’t need to try harder or wake up at 4 a.m.
You just need a few resets that support how your brain actually works.
Reset #1: One Capture System
Your brain hates scattered information.
That mental load of:
- Did I text myself that reminder?
- Is it in my planner?
- Did I dream it?
Exhausting.
So here’s the fix: choose one place to capture everything.
It could be:
- A Trello board
- Your Notes app
- A notebook
- A voice memo folder
The tool doesn’t matter. What matters is that you only use one.
Every time a task, idea, or reminder pops into your head—send it to your one system. That’s it.
“Think of it like giving your brain a cozy home for its to-do list.”
Your action step:
Pick your one capture system today. And the next time something pops up, send it there immediately.
Reset #2: Anchor Habit Reminder (aka Habit Stacking)
Instead of trying to remember something new on your own, tie it to something you already do without thinking.
This is called habit stacking, a term made popular by James Clear in Atomic Habits.
For example:
- After brushing your teeth at night → glance at your calendar for tomorrow
- After making coffee → check your capture system
- After buckling your seatbelt → mentally run through your top 3 priorities
It’s like adding a sticky note to a habit your brain already knows.
“Your brain loves routines. Anchor new reminders to the old ones, and they stick better.”
Your action step:
Pick one small, consistent habit and attach a simple memory check to it.
No alarms. No post-its all over your fridge. Just tiny nudges that make remembering easier.
Reset #3: The 2-Minute Brain Offload
If you’re only going to do one thing from this list, let it be this one.
Because all day long, your brain is holding onto:
- Thoughts
- Reminders
- Worries
- Grocery lists
- Replays of awkward conversations
That’s too much.
So here’s what you do: Spend two minutes before bed doing a brain offload.
It can be:
- A messy brain dump in a notebook
- A few bullet points in your phone
- A quick voice memo in your notes app
Get everything out of your head and into one place before you sleep.
“Think of it like closing out the tabs in your brain so you can actually power down.”
Your action step:
Tonight, set a 2-minute timer and offload your brain. No filters. No rules. Just clear the mental clutter.
You Don’t Need a New Planner—You Need Breathing Room
If your memory has felt a little scrambled lately, it’s not your fault.
Your brain is juggling a million things and trying to keep you going. You’re doing a lot. But you don’t need to do more—you need small, doable systems that support your actual life.
Let’s recap the three memory resets:
One capture system
Give your brain a single place to store everything.
One anchor habit reminder
Attach a new task to an old routine so your brain remembers it automatically.
Two minutes a night to offload
Release the mental load and make space for better sleep and better focus.
And no, this doesn’t make you a slacker—it makes you smart.
In fact, if you want more help simplifying how you remember all-the-things, don’t miss the Slacker Hack Summit.
LISTEN: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | STITCHER
Links Mentioned in This Episode
- Slacker Hack Summit (affiliate link)
- Atomic Habits
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