AIBU to not know whether or not I’ve showered?

[Skinnyboneylittlepony]

Does this happen to other people.

I get into the shower and stand under the lovely water for a minute or two. Then I wash myself and rinse off.

More than once, including today, I’ve been standing under the shower and can’t remember if I’m starting or finishing. Normally I just lather up and rinse again for the benefit of the doubt. If it gets worse it could become a cycle of wash rinse repeat for hours.

Look down. There should be bubbles and use your nose, surely whatever soap you use has some sort of smell to it.

No. Are you struggling to wake? Process what you're doing in other situations?

I use unscented. The shower drains really well so there are no bubbles/suds plus I don’t use that much for it to be all sudsy.

Dangerousmonkey

I do take a long time to get started in the day. I normally have one coffee around 9 at work.

I generally feel quite low energy.

I always forget if i have put deodorant on!!

I do this too. Combination of tiredness and mind on other things. I also do it with other stuff.

No. Dodgy water pressure, too few hours in the day and teenagers strolling in asking where the sodding Clearasil has gone tends to prevent me losing track of time in the bathroom.

I forget if I’ve used my face wash sometimes I do it as soon as I get in the shower, other times I do it after I’ve put my conditioner on

Sounds like that awful feeling when I'm driving a really familiar route and suddenly realised I have no memory of the last few minutes. It's something to do with the way our brains process what's happening, so yes, you're not alone, and yes, it's disturbing I think you need this

I do on days like today where I have a v early exercise class, because I get back and am showered, dressed and at my desk before a lot of people are even awake. So by the time evening rolls around it's hard to remember what happened at sparrowfart!

Yep, I do this. Mainly about shampoo/conditioner. I also occasionally can’t remember whether I’ve put deodorant on or not. It’s because the whole process is so mundane that i don’t pay much attention to it.

You say you have low energy generally which might be worth investigating though?

You're not alone, but if you also find yourself low energy and forgetful in other situations, I'd strongly advise just to have a general checkup to make sure your systems are all in working order.

Sometimes, yes. I'm crap in the mornings. It takes a good few hours for me to become a competent adult. And if I'm very tired at night the same brain fog can descend. It doesn't worry me, it's normal for me.

I do this so often it's become a running joke in my family. I will forget if I've brushed my teeth so do them again just in case, I forget if I've just shampooed or conditioned hair, I put the kettle on then half hour later I'm wondering if I actually forgot about the kettle or if I did indeed make and drink the brew, I walk into a room and forget why, I've actually often even looked for my phone whilst talking on said phone to someone.
The list of my forgetfulness goes on and on, but I've been this way forever, my little sisters actually nicknamed me Dory when the first Nemo film came out and it's still stuck 14? years on

I think it is called 'dissociating' and is very common and not unhealthy.

Though it can become unhealthy; or be an unhealthy coping mechanism for something else.

I used to give talks at uni/conferences, and feedback was that I was lively and engaging, positive body language, all that. But seconds afterwards I would have no recollection - did I say that? Did I leave the bit out that I was planning to but had no time to delete from the slides? Did I look at the audience at all, did I make eye contact with anyone? Did I sit through it all or stand in one place or did I walk about? - All gone.

I find this oddly reassuring because sometimes on my bicycle I realise I have no recollection of the previous minutes/stretch, just like PP with driving; and that used to worry me as I figured I probably didn't have my mind on things enough, and was being dangerous. But from my conferences experience I can deduct that I clearly AM paying attention while it is happening/while I am talking and answering questions, it's just that it doesn't make it into my memory. Which is ok; I don't have to remember everything about cycling the same stretch every day, as long as my mind is on it in the moment.

Yes! This happens to me all the time in the bath. I can't remember if I've actually washed myself or just sat there. So I did it again to be on the safe side.

This isn't even in the mornings as I bath at night...

Yes!! Brain fog hits me all day. Especially at the end of the work day. I have to double check my phone before I leave work to see what day it is before I go pick DD up. Can never remember if I've dropped her off at my mums, nursery, or her cousins. Sometimes need to check in the mornings too, to see where I'm taking her.

You may be on autopilot, or maybe overly tired. Are you usually lethargic in the mornings?

Are you under a lot of stress?

Yes, I've found it's increased with age - since about 35 - related to declining powers of memory and recall.

I'd know if I'd washed as would feel it but sometimes find I don't know whether I've put conditioner on already. Similarly, I don't remember if I've taken tablets, so have to take them at exactly the same point in my morning routine every day, so the question is just 'it it after teeth-brushing time? Yes, then pills were taken'. I now understand the point of those 'days of the week' pill dispensers!

When younger I was more mentally 'present', noticing things, and had better linear awareness of every small event in a sequence. I'd have been a useful witness. Now, it's partly about paying less attention and not being so interested in the detail of things around me, especially 'same old' repeated actions, as what's in my head is more interesting. But also declining powers of observation and short-term memory.

I do this too, I've even forgotten shaving and just discovered the next day I had no underarm hair. It usually happens when I'm tired or am deep in thought/worrying about something. If it's happening every morning though or causing unhealthy behaviour (eg repetitive or compulsive washing) it may be worth getting some advice from your GP.

On stress, I think it can work both ways. I've found that stress can make me hyper-vigilant and burn trivial memories into my brain - so I have better recall, years later, of specific events during stressful times than happy ones.

I think (from personal experience, no expertise) dissociation, as described by pp, can be a stress response - too busy focusing on 'doing' to put down any memory. But, the same effect can result from very pleasant absent-mindedness, caused by daydreaming, running through plans or conversations in my head, which can be perfectly enjoyable.

I usually forget to get out of the shower. I forget that I have children to feed, school run to do and work to go to. I just stand with my eyes closed and before I know it I’ve been there 10 minutes and haven’t even washed myself yet.

I can never remember if I've turned the wifi on and I always have to go back and check. Normally I've done it without noticing

I also have to ask people about three times if they want a cup of tea or not because I don't listen properly when they answer!

Oh, that too! I slip into an alternate 'pre-child' state, where showers offer quiet space allowing my mind to roam freely. Though, only since the urgency and endless mental minutiae associated with the baby and toddler days has passed. That did keep me more 'present' than I'd have liked!