Life of a forgetful person

A large portion of my childhood was spent wondering how two Bollywood characters, who had just fallen in love, instantly synchronise dance steps and lyrics. My real life was never even close to such movies. Ask me what I ate last night and my face will be as empty as an intern's bank balance.  Everything I will say now will be relatable to you if you too suffer from Vitamin B12 deficiency. At least that's what I tell myself when I forget to do my assignments. 

Many of us are geographically challenged. Regardless of how many times someone takes us to a place, we'll never be able to get there on our first attempt. Especially if it involves taking 5 turns, 3 U-turns, paach tala (lift er 4) on a road where all the buildings look pretty much the same. We are  all doomed. We're often asked "You'll be able to find this place the next time, right?". You cannot say no because you've just been shown the location. I get into super shops and lose my mom as I lose track of alleys. No wonder, my name was announced in a fair from the lost kids announcement booth when I was 5. 

Remembering details becomes harder if it involves an array of tasks. Imagine realising that you lost your passport three days prior to visa applications. Once you finally get one, you end up in the embassy instead of the VFS because your friends thought you'd at least remember last year's procedures. 

My experiences don't end here. Back in January, I wanted to go back to our hotel in Athens to sleep. Because I realised I am an adult and should be able to take care of myself in a foreign land, I started to walk alone. I passed street after street in hope of finding a yellow building with red lights. Once I realised I was probably lost, I decided to still act confident so that I don't become the potential victim of a mugging. Thanks to Google Maps, I told my friends that I was just exploring the neighbourhood when I got back to the hotel.

The toughest challenge is to remember names. We meet so many people everyday each with names that are results of permutations and combinations which our brains can't decipher. A name as simple as Miraz can become Mizan or Nibras. Remember, silence is better than calling out the wrong name, only if you care about how the other person feels. 

Forgetful acts are deemed as results of our irresponsibility.  However, my excuse is that I am an escapist. I love rickshaw rides. I automatically stop responding to the person sitting next to me when I am on a commute. I choose to ignore everything that happens around including the colours of buildings. Don't show this excuse to your parents. You'll be reminded of adult chores and how terrible you are at them. Don't be surprised if you're handed a box of almonds. 

However, gaslighting is real. It is a manipulative attempt of one person to make others doubt their memory. Make sure you understand the lines of accusations.  Retaining memory is a skill. It helps you in exams and saves your relations. Even if you don't have it, make the best memories out of your life.

Myat Moe is an occasional philosopher whose favourite pastime is confusing people with her nationality. Reach her at 145michelle@gmail.com