Start with the situation closest to yours. Each section gathers answers to a related set of moments; the overview is the best place to begin.
Why familiar words and names slip away
When a familiar word or name is close but will not come, start here.
How to keep and recover a conversation’s thread
For losing a thought while listening, speaking, or following directions.
Why objects go missing and how to find them
For misplaced objects and the moment you cannot recall where you left them.
Remembering what you meant to do
For forgotten next steps after an interruption or change of task.
Remembering what you read and learn
For information that makes sense while you read but is hard to recall later.
Making everyday reminders work
For setting reminders and keeping track of ordinary plans.
How attention and setting affect recall
Questions about noise, fatigue, divided attention, and the setting around you.
How everyday remembering works
Plain distinctions among noticing, learning, storing, and recalling information.