Lost your phone or keys-again? Forgot what you’re looking for?
How DOES THIS HAPPEN!
There is an explanation!!! You are not crazy!
Here’s the deal, it’s all about doorways and thresholds.
You see, there’s a subconscious act going on, an action to keep us safe.
Let me explain.
Whenever you move from room to room, your brain is relaying that you are going into a new environment; so, your ‘Spidey-sense’ tunes into the new space.
This also explains a trick you’ve seen before referring to space and voids:
* Stand on a patio in the backyard for a few minutes, and then, go through an archway and into the garden. You’ll FEEL you are in another world!
- Arrive at a front porch/doorway for the first time and step into the space. Yes, your senses are all alert.
- Anytime you’re walking and moving from the main floor, to the lower level, or a bedroom. Your cognitive senses reset.
Your ‘spidey sense’ is taking you into a new space, leaving the past experience behind.
If you keep losing things and forgetting why you walked into a room,
it’s because (yes) you forgot to bring the ‘thing or memory’ with you.
Keys are much easier to find if you have a designated ‘landing pad’ ready for the drop-off. You can set up a dish/bowl/container for ALL keys to land. If you prefer to hang sets of keys, be sure the position of the hooks fits with the flow of going in-out of the house.
As for cell phones that get walked around the house/office constantly; you’ll need to make a more sophisticated plan. My suggestion is to create a NEW habit as to WHERE to set the phone, so that you can FIND it again within a nano-second.
Let’s work on a scenario of walking into your office.
You’ll choose a designated spot for your phone. For example, let’s pick a corner of the desk nearest the door. When you use the phone, put it back down in its new spot.
Another option would be to set up a mobile landing spot using colorful coasters or napkins. These could be placed strategically in several areas around the home that can be easily seen.
TIP: A colorful case does help. Dark phones on dark-colored surfaces are really tough to find.
It really helps to find a designated spot for these items that regularly seem to walk away. This method can work with anything you need to keep track of: glasses, keys, toys, coffee cup and more. Q: Could you sort out a space in each room as you move about in the day?
Perhaps yes. Perhaps no. Many of you are velcro-ed to your phones….
Should we try something else?
You may even choose to hang your phone on a belt, around your neck or nail it to the wall. These plans seemed to work well years ago. (!)
Enjoy the journey, Kathryn
