Was sipping coffee this morning when a thought hit me – why do some memories just vanish mid-action? Like when you’re fetching milk from the fridge then blank out? Decided to test this “interference psychology” thing myself all day. Grabbed my notebook.
First Experiment: The Coffee Shop Distraction
Sat down at the counter determined to memorize my order number – #58. Easy, right? Focused hard. Then the couple next to me starts arguing about vacation plans. Suddenly the barista yells “ORDER UP!” My brain froze. Stood there like an idiot squinting at receipts. Took three whole minutes of panicked scrolling through phone photos to recall it was #58. Interference smashed that number right outta my head.
Second Experiment: The Annoying Phone Ping
Stopped by the park later. Memorized five tree types: Oak, Maple, Pine, Birch, Cedar. Said ’em aloud five times. Feeling confident. Pulled out phone to snap pics for proof. Ding! A meme notification pops up. Closed my phone instantly. Went to list trees again… Only got Oak, Maple, Pine. Birch and Cedar? Gone. That stupid ding wiped two trees clean. Jotted down my frustration:
- Pre-distraction: Oak Maple Pine Birch Cedar (solid)
- Post-meme: Oak Maple Pine ??? (total blank)
Final Try: Cooking Chaos
Dinner time test. Memorized spice steps: 1) Salt pasta water, 2) Add oregano to sauce, 3) Garlic last. Simple. Started boiling water. Phone rings – Mom asking about aunt’s surgery. Talked for 8 minutes. Hung up, drained pasta. Poured sauce. Suddenly realized… never added salt. Completely forgot step 1. Oregano made it in but garlic sat lonely on the counter. Interference turned my spaghetti bland.
Massive takeaways scribbled in messy caps in my notebook:
- NEW INFO KILLS OLD INFO MID-TASK
- PHONE NOTIFICATIONS ARE MEMORY POISON
- STUPID DISTRACTIONS WIN UNLESS YOU REPEAT LOUD
Feels like my brain’s got limited “focus slots.” One shove knocks the other thing out. Realized why I always forget names at parties – interference wins unless you fight dirty with repetition. Gotta guard that mental RAM better.
Now off to rescue my sad unsalted pasta.