My memory is shot - am I alone?

[FourteenSixteenTwentyTwo]

As a teenager I had a fabulous memory and could recall pretty much anything.

Since life became more accountable (and especially since I have a child), it’s wavering - I can remember conversations I have with people and work related data, but films and books are gone within days. I read 5 books in the past two months - ask me what they were called and what happened and I can’t tell you a thing. Yet I can recall books I read 15 years ago.

I suppose I’m wondering if it’s it me personally, or if it’s the stress of the times - I’m a grown adult needing to remember a wealth of life admin, work shit, school things, social events, etc - and even though I made an effort of mindfully reading or watching (i.e putting my phone down and actually paying attention and rereading bits if my mind wandered) it’s still all so forgettable.

I think my life is made up with so much ‘real’ things we need to deal with that it doesn’t have the capacity to retain the entertainment fodder. But I don’t value that any less than ‘life’ things either. So

So AIBU to think this is an unfortunate consequence of having responsibilities? Or am I BU and it’s not normal?

Oh larkdupont yoy have made me chuckle. You obviously know me really well to make such statements. Nuances of this argument are clearly lost on you.

Glad I made you chuckle. You make me despair.

Are you on any medication? Several medications that I have taken for depression and anxiety almost completely eliminated my memory. I would frequently do things twice at work because I had forgotten that I had already done it (not only small things, I once wrote a 30 slide presentation twice on successive days…)

You’re not alone. I’m 35 and mine is dreadful; I put it down to having a toddler, PND and taking antidepressants, but it’s been declining for a good while now anyway.

Modern working life plus socialising and activities mean a lot is bound to be forgotten, but mine is so much worse since having a DS, and it has not “gone back to normal”.

You are not alone. I can't remember books or conversations either. Ditto concerns about early onset dementia, although I am older than you. Its got worse for me with the menopause.

On the plus side I can rewatch drama series I really enjoyed first time round and have so little recall they're nearly as good on the second or even third viewing.

Yes! I used to have a great memory but it’s really declined over the last few years. I have a 3 year old so I wonder if it is related to pregnancy/parenthood.

For me several years of lack of sleep.
But maybe vitamin deficiency.

Ive already had the omegas dont drink or smoke.
Like a pp ive done a couple of things twice.

I’ve recently found myself forgetting conversations I’ve had and things people have told me. That never would have happened a few years ago. I’m only in my early 30s!