Need to remember it? Write yourself a memory note.

By David W. Barr IV

One of the things that seems to get more annoying every month is the increasing number of tasks we have to do. Years ago it was maybe just the groceries… pick up a quart of milk, need a new loaf of bread, the strawberry jam is almost all gone, or… get a hair cut, then cut the lawn. 

Now it seems to be so much worse!

All that plus charge the cell phone, take the medications, walk the dog, feed the dog, get the car  serviced, fix the screen door, call the kids, weed the garden, do my exercise… Does it ever end? And how do I remember it all??

Maybe you tried writing yourself a list. But where is that scribbled bit of paper when you need it? Even if you can find it, there are things crossed out, things written sideways on the edge. Lists quickly become a mess. “I can’t even read my own writing”!

Here’s a better idea. Get yourself some sticky notes and a black marker pen. Start writing those tasks down on the sticky notes, just one task per note. 

Add a new one whenever you think of it. Then post them up on the refrigerator door. Now it’s way easier to get organized.

Put finished tasks down at the bottom so you can re-use the notes. Rearrange the order when you see a better way to finish those chores. 

Stand back and take a long look whenever you need to get things organized in your mind. Breathe a little sigh of relief and take satisfaction from the fact you’ve got it all covered. You can call these your memory notes.

Can’t remember them all when you go out shopping? First of all, try harder. Try to form a picture in your mind of those first dozen notes at the top. Many people remember images better than lists. And if that doesn't work, take a picture of the refrigerator on your cell phone, or your camera, or your tablet. Take it with you everywhere. It’s instant memory.

Just don’t go overboard like this guy. He put up so many memory notes he had to start using the inside of the refrigerator door as well. Notes inside the refrigerator are not recommended! They can get soggy.

If the refrigerator door isn’t big enough, move into the next room and start on a wall. Post all the memory items you need. Go crazy! You can refresh your memory again and again, every time you walk by. 

Who needs wallpaper?

You’ve got yourself a memory wall.