11. Mom Brain Is Real and I Have Proof

Let me set the scene: I’m frantically searching the house for my keys, holding my phone in one hand, and yelling to no one in particular, “Has anyone seen my phone?!”
Yep. That’s where I’m at.

Mom brain is real—and it’s not just forgetting what day it is. It’s putting the clean laundry in the fridge. It’s walking into a room and forgetting why you’re there. It’s calling the dog by your toddler’s name and staring blankly at someone who just asked you a simple question.

It’s like my brain has so many tabs open, the whole system is lagging.

I used to be sharp. I could write reports, hold conversations, multitask like a champ. Now? I start sentences I never finish. I make grocery lists and leave them at home. I write texts in my head and genuinely believe I sent them.

But the thing is—I’m carrying a lot. Mental load is more than remembering appointments and nap schedules. It’s holding the emotional weight of our family. It’s being tuned in to everyone’s needs—often before they even say them.

And while I joke about mom brain, I’m also learning to give myself some grace. Because forgetfulness isn’t a flaw—it’s often a sign that I’m doing a lot, often on very little sleep.

So yes, I once poured breast milk into my coffee instead of cream. Yes, I’ve used dry shampoo for three days straight and called it a “hair routine.” But I also kissed boo-boos, answered a million questions, and kept a tiny human alive with love, snacks, and an almost-magical ability to detect danger in a quiet room.

So I’ll take my forgetful, full-of-love brain any day. And maybe write that grocery list on my arm next time.