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Fantastic short term memory, dreadful long term memory.

2 replies

Angelic999 · 16/01/2026 19:17

I have become aware through work that my short term memory is a hell of a lot better than everybody else I work with. For example, I remember the month's appointments, dates, locations, meetings, times, tasks without needing to look at a diary/to do list or having to put effort into thinking about it really. Not only do I remember my own diary and tasks but the rest of the teams.

I get quietly frustrated when they forget things. For example I asked my team member to do something that day, they agreed. I reminded them at lunch and then asked if they'd done it by the end of the day - nope they'd forgot. I was baffled. Surely they need to see a GP if their memory is that bad?!

Anyway the point of this post is that I'm wondering what other people's short term memory is like and if I am unusual in remembering things so easily?

On the other hand my long term memory is absolutely atrocious- I barely have any childhood memories, certainly not in detail and have to really rack my brains to think of them which makes me sad. I also don't really picture images in my head. When I remember things short term I don't see it, so for example I don't see the diary with appointments in my minds eye, I just know them if that makes sense?

I wonder if my brain is so occupied with the short term that it then doesn't file away and store anything long term. Any brain/memory experts on here?

OP posts:
HedgeWitchOfTheWest · 16/01/2026 19:43

I don’t know about the good short term memory but I have a similar long term memory.

I don’t remember much of my childhood or even of my children’s early years. DH will remind me of trips or events and I sometimes can’t remember at all. I’d be worried, but it’s always been this way.

I reconcile it by accepting that I live in the moment, and I have other skills (like your STM, except I can tell you where almost everything is in our house. Lost your keys? I know where they are).

I think it’s episodic memory?

Whats weird is that music takes me right back. It’s like time travel! (Ash on the radio this morning - I woke up in 1996!)

SmartiesParty · 16/01/2026 20:40

I don’t have any scientific help here but I am exactly like you. Insanely good short term memory but very few long term memories including childhood or tbh anything that happened more than a few years ago

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