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Funny Organization Tips While Getting Older and Absentminded

As you get older, you get treated to a lot of funny one-liners, like "Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most," "Seen it all, done it all. Can't remember most of it" or "Over what hill? Where? When? I don't remember any hill." Oddly, the truer these "jokes" are, the less funny they get. The good news: There are tips to navigate you through tricky territory when your absentmindedness puts a hitch in your giddy-up. The bad news: You still have to remember them.

  1. Remember Not to Forget

    • A string on your finger may help you remember you've forgotten something but not exactly what that something is. This is something you'll need to consider the more absentminded you get. It's like taking supplements for better memory but always forgetting to take the supplements. As you age, remember details are your friends. Organizers allow you to jot down all of the pertinent information you may need later. Just assume you will need it all later and embrace verbosity.

    Become a Creature of Habit

    • If you ever wondered why your old Aunt Gertrude or Uncle Jack were stuck in unyielding routines, wonder no longer. They weren't stuck -- they just learned rigid monotony was the first line of defense against absentmindedness. If you are always misplacing your keys or forgetting where you parked your car, develop these same steadfast routines to ward off your forgetfulness before it attacks. Create a special space for everything you may misplace, like keys, wallets, glasses and, of course, your car. Park in the same row on the same side of the parking lot wherever you go. And, if you go to major parking garage or some parking black hole like Disneyland, let someone else drive.

    Ditch Multitasking

    • Sometimes absentmindedness isn't the absence of information as much as it is the presence of too much information. If you're constantly thinking about ten things at once and always forgetting five, try focusing instead on five to shift the odds back in your favor. Simplify your routine, and stick to it like glue. Delegate the other stuff to someone else, and let it be her responsibility to remember. Even if she doesn't remember, it's quite probable you won't either.

    An Ounce of Prevention

    • There's something to be said for clean living. The best organizational tip starts with your own health. Getting proper sleep, eating your veggies, taking your vitamins and getting your exercise can all ward off forgetfulness by giving you a virtual memory makeover. Most importantly, be patient with yourself. Remember that everyone around you is aging, too, and just as likely to forget that you were absentminded in the first place.

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