Lost in Thought? Navigating Brain Fog Like a Pro!

There are all kinds of lists out there about brain fog. You can easily find suggestions for supplements, or lifestyle hacks, to be more productive. AI will certainly give you a summary of what to do. But how do you really deal with it when you can't think straight, when you can't focus long enough to complete a task?

This is going to sound a little simple. Love yourself. Be gently with yourself. Give yourself a break. Have fun.

I'm sure whatever chronic illness, stressful situation or brain injury that caused the brain fog has given you enough to deal with, without hitting yourself over the head for not being productive (see what I did there).

It's hard. It's really hard to have trouble thinking and keeping track of day to day life. I am writing this to myself as much as you. I woke up frustrated thinking about all the things I want to do - write, finish those taxes before October, outline a book, write about character traits... the list seems endless. Instead, I'm writing this because all of those things eluded me.

I'll probably go outside or get some exercise to try to stimulate my brain. I know I got plenty of sleep, I may even take a nap later. I'm taking the right supplements. But my brain is still foggy and uncooperative this morning. It has been lately every morning. So what am I to do?

I'll probably read, I might even watch a series. Why? Because I have to do something with my time. Stories help me understand the world, and writing is story telling. If I had a job in accounting, I might try to do Sudoku. Reading a novel counts, playing a game counts. Try to love yourself through the frustrating times when blankness overwhelms your mind.

I know what it feels like. What was I doing? What was I saying? Why have I had to read this paragraph twelve times? And I still don't get it! You will be tempted to compare your now self to your old self, or to other people. Don't! It's pointless, and it won't help your now self think any clearer. Compare and despair is an adage I try to remember when I'm tempted to compare myself to someone else, or even my old, younger, non-menopausal self.

Do you see where I'm going? No? It's okay, I don't usually, either. I'm so sick of it, but being mean to myself just makes things worse. When did self loathing solve anything? 

Take a deep breath, now another, one more. Now, if you're struggling, do something fun related to your work if you can, do something silly, get out of your head. At least try. No, doom-scrolling doesn't count as fun. If I can love myself through the excruciating foggy times, you can too.