I used to be obsessed with systems to keep track of books, articles, podcasts, quotes, etc. that I wanted to consume. I'd fuss over the best app or notes system to make sure I captured every amazing TV show quote or magazine article that I would HAVE to come back to later. And so the list grew in both directions. Pending things to read/watch/listen and pending things to read/watch/listen a second, third, or fourth time.
I'm trying to let go of this neurotic, obsessive, and anxiety-driven behavior. It comes from a feeling of FOMO and a lack of self-assuredness about my own thoughts and decision-making. I think forgetting things is a feature, not a bug. A feature fine-tuned over a million years to remember the critical and meaningful things. The things that strike an emotional or practical chord. Forgetting might seem rather outdated in today's world, something to learn "hacks" and "tricks" to outrun but I believe that it is even more powerful in today's information-overloaded environment.
If something is important enough, I will remember it. If something is meaningful enough, I will remember it. If something is amazing enough, I will remember it. These sorts of things tend to show again and again in the content we consume and once they show up enough, they tend to embed themselves into our psyche and the way we see the world. For this to work, a peaceful mind is required. If you're constantly in a rush and your mind is racing with a list of things to do, you're going to need that reminder to not forget your keys.
I may still write things down. But this time it's to feel the confidence that it's been recorded somewhere in the back of my mind, not to create a note to "come back to later." I write things down so that I can consciously forget about them and let them go. Of course, I might miss something that I wish I hadn't or forget where something came from. And that's ok. It's worth the peace—and clarity—of mind that comes as a result. Instead of being resentful and stressed about the stream of content emerging from the world, I can truly appreciate the great creations I have access to. And the best things will ultimately become a part of my mind as well.
I'm trying to let go of this neurotic, obsessive, and anxiety-driven behavior. It comes from a feeling of FOMO and a lack of self-assuredness about my own thoughts and decision-making. I think forgetting things is a feature, not a bug. A feature fine-tuned over a million years to remember the critical and meaningful things. The things that strike an emotional or practical chord. Forgetting might seem rather outdated in today's world, something to learn "hacks" and "tricks" to outrun but I believe that it is even more powerful in today's information-overloaded environment.
If something is important enough, I will remember it. If something is meaningful enough, I will remember it. If something is amazing enough, I will remember it. These sorts of things tend to show again and again in the content we consume and once they show up enough, they tend to embed themselves into our psyche and the way we see the world. For this to work, a peaceful mind is required. If you're constantly in a rush and your mind is racing with a list of things to do, you're going to need that reminder to not forget your keys.
I may still write things down. But this time it's to feel the confidence that it's been recorded somewhere in the back of my mind, not to create a note to "come back to later." I write things down so that I can consciously forget about them and let them go. Of course, I might miss something that I wish I hadn't or forget where something came from. And that's ok. It's worth the peace—and clarity—of mind that comes as a result. Instead of being resentful and stressed about the stream of content emerging from the world, I can truly appreciate the great creations I have access to. And the best things will ultimately become a part of my mind as well.