by Cynthia Germain

We’ve all done it. You walk into a room with a mission. And then… nothing. You have that curious feeling that you meant to do something. You stand there, scanning the space like it’s going to give you a hint.
Welcome to the classic “Why did I come in here?” moment. And if you’re over 50 or perhaps 60 or 70, it starts to feel like a regular part of your day. But here’s the thing: this is not dementia or Alzheimer’s. This is aging being its usual quirky self. And wonderfully normal.

Our brains are marvels—billions of neurons firing, managing everything from balancing our checkbooks to remembering where we put the car keys. And while we might not have the same recall speed we had at 25, it’s important to know that this does not mean we’re losing our minds.

This kind of forgetfulness—these everyday lapses—are part of how the aging brain filters information. When we were younger, we had fewer competing priorities. Now our brains are juggling decades of memories, people, appointments, medications, family birthdays, passwords (so many passwords), and the occasional reminder to take chicken out of the freezer.

So when your brain pauses to ask, “Wait, why am I in the laundry room again?” it’s not broken. It’s just buffering.

Did you know there’s actually something called the “doorway effect”? Researchers have found that simply walking through a doorway can cause the brain to mentally “close” the activity you were doing and prepare for something new. So it’s not that you forgot why you came into the room—it’s that your brain is being helpful, getting you ready for the next thing. The problem is the next thing was supposed to happen in that room.

I often talk about aging with intention, vitality, and grace. But I’d like to add humor to that mix. Because if you can’t laugh at the fact that you’ve opened the fridge only to realize you were looking for the scissors, then what are we even doing? These small forgetful moments are a great reminder that we’re still learning, still adapting, and still incredibly human. They’re also a good excuse to slow down, take a deep breath, and maybe double up on the sticky notes.

So the next time you find yourself standing in a room staring at the walls, take comfort: this is one of the most common shared experiences of aging. You’re not losing it. You’re living it. And if you can smile about it—even better. Maybe the best response is simply to shrug and say, “Whatever it was, it probably wasn’t that important anyway.” Then go make yourself a cup of tea and wait for the brain to circle back around. It usually does…right about the time you sit down.

If you have your own favorite “walked into the room and forgot why” moment, we’d love to hear it. You can share with us over on our Facebook page or comment here. And remember, don’t be too hard on yourself when your brain decides to go on a little vacation. It’s earned it.