I used to forget my own grocery list while standing inside the store. Right there, in the snack aisle, staring at a wall of chips, completely blanking on why I even came. My brain? A sieve. A leaky bucket. A locked diary where I lost the key.

Anyway, that’s when I realized—I had to do something. Because forgetting whether I needed milk is one thing. Forgetting my own anniversary? That’s how people end up sleeping on the couch.

So, here’s what I learned. Some Simple Techniques that actually work.

Memory: It’s Not Just for Elephants

People love saying, “I have a terrible memory.”

Cool. But what if I told you memory isn’t about having a good one but training it? It’s like a muscle—use it or lose it.

Oh, and here’s a weird fact: The ancient Greeks used something called the Method of Loci—basically, mapping information onto places they knew. I tried it once. Now I can’t walk past my mailbox without thinking about Pythagoras. Not exactly useful, but hey, at least I remember something.

Trick Your Brain into Remembering Stuff

1. Make It Weird

Your brain loves the unusual. If you’re trying to remember a name, attach it to something bizarre.

Met a guy named Steve? Picture him riding a giant stegosaurus (Steve-osaurus?). Boom. Locked in.

Or, when I needed to remember to buy rosemary, I imagined my grandma shouting “ROSE-MARY!” in her thick Brooklyn accent. It worked so well I now panic-buy rosemary even when I don’t need it.

• Use ridiculous images (like a giraffe in a tuxedo for “formal” events).
• Exaggerate details (a blue elephant never blends in).
• Link it to an emotion (the sheer panic of forgetting my girlfriend’s birthday = I will never forget again).

These Simple Techniques turn boring info into mental sticky notes.

2. Tell a Story

Dry facts? Forgettable.

Stories? Those stick.

Imagine trying to memorize random numbers: 1945, 1776, 1492. Boring. But what if you picture a pirate (Columbus, 1492) stealing a revolutionary’s hat (1776) and then getting chased by a WWII fighter plane (1945)?

Now it’s a movie in your head.

Same with grocery lists. Instead of struggling to remember “milk, eggs, bread,” picture a giant chicken laying an egg into your coffee (milk), while a toast soldier salutes you (bread).

Dumb? Absolutely. Effective? Also, yes. And that’s the magic of Simple Techniques.

3. Repeat, but Smartly

Repetition works—but not in a soul-crushing, “write it 100 times” way. Instead, try spaced repetition:

• Learn something today.
• Review it in two days.
• Check back in a week.
• Then a month.

Your brain gets lazy when it thinks info is always available. By spacing it out, you force it to work. And brains—like people—need a little push sometimes.

That’s why Simple Techniques like spaced learning actually work.

4. Move Your Body

Fun fact: Exercise isn’t just for looking good in vacation photos. It actually strengthens memory.

When I started going on walks while listening to study material, my recall skyrocketed. Turns out, movement helps the brain encode information. (Wish I’d known that in college instead of pulling all-nighters fueled by gas station coffee and regret.)

Try these Simple Techniques:

• Walk while reviewing notes.
• Do light stretching while reading.
• Even chewing gum can help retain information (no, seriously—look it up).

Daily Habits to Sharpen Your Memory

Not everything needs to be a grand strategy. Some Simple Techniques fit easily into everyday life.

Sleep: The Ultimate Cheat Code

No sleep = no memory. Period.

Ever stayed up too late and forgotten what day it was? Exactly. Your brain needs that offline processing time.

Get at least 7 hours, or prepare to live life in a foggy, forgetful haze. It’s one of the simplest Simple Techniques you can implement.

Food: Eat Smart, Think Sharp

Brain food is real. Omega-3s (found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds) help keep memory sharp.

Junk food? Not so much. I learned this the hard way after a weekend of fast food left me struggling to recall basic words—like “fork.”

Want an easy win? Try these Simple Techniques:

• Eat more fatty fish and nuts.
• Drink enough water (dehydration = brain fog).
• Cut back on sugar (your brain will thank you).

The Power of Talking to Yourself

Sounds weird, but saying things out loud actually improves retention.

I once muttered my to-do list in an empty aisle at Target, only to realize I wasn’t alone. The old lady next to me just nodded like, “Yep, I do that too.”

Here’s why Simple Techniques like this work:

• Speaking engages different parts of the brain.
• It forces you to focus on what you’re saying.
• If you say it dramatically enough, you might even entertain yourself.

Memory in the Digital Age

Our phones are making us forgetful. Why remember things when Google exists?

Except… relying on tech too much can weaken memory muscles. Some Simple Techniques to fight back:

• Try mental math instead of a calculator.
• Memorize phone numbers like it’s 1995.
• Actually write things down (bonus points for using a real notebook instead of an app).

Oh, and those memory-boosting apps? They’re fine, but don’t let them replace real-life memory work. Your brain isn’t a TikTok feed—don’t train it to expect quick, disposable information. Simple Techniques require real effort.

The Memory Secret No One Talks About

Wanna know the real trick? Caring about what you remember.

Think about it: You never forget song lyrics, movie quotes, or that one embarrassing thing you did in 8th grade. Why? Because emotion cements memory. If something matters, your brain keeps it.

So if you’re struggling to remember something, find a way to care about it. Make it funny. Make it personal. Make it matter. That’s one of the most powerful Simple Techniques out there.

Wrapping Up (Because I Forgot My Original Point)

Look, improving your memory doesn’t mean becoming a walking encyclopedia. It just means making small changes:

• Use weird images.
• Turn info into a story.
• Space out repetition.
• Move, eat, and sleep better.
• And, above all, give a damn about what you’re learning.

Try a couple of these Simple Techniques, see what works, and—who knows?—maybe you’ll finally stop losing your car keys. (Or at least remember where you last saw them.)