My brain works in what can only be described as “differently” than other people’s brains.
I remember things by “seeing” them in my head as images. I can close my eyes and feel or listen and see things within my head, a trick I first noticed changing the starter on my old Impala where I had my eyes closed to keep out the dirt that was falling in my face.
It’s useful in some aspects as I can see the text on pages I’ve read but if I’m anxious or nervous I have a hard time recalling images.
You’d assume that this is a great ability to have but it’s a curse at the same time. I’m constantly bombarded by lights, sounds, smells and just about anything that triggers memories and images, good and bad. For example, sometimes when the light is just right I’ll remember riding along in the car with my mom when I was 8 or I’ll hear cars and it will trigger images and memories of camping at the lake when I was 10. And sometimes I’ll hear the rain and it’ll remind me of sitting in the car outside the hospital the night before my dad passed away where I couldn’t bring myself to go inside to see him not knowing it would be my last chance to see him alive.
So yes, it’s a blessing and a curse. Be careful what you wish for.
One more thing to point out. My brain gets “full” and needs to reset. After intense stimulation (like video games) or focused working on a project my brain gets “tired” and “full” and needs a reset with a short nap and by short I literally mean 15 minutes. Just long enough just to clear what’s there and do a reset.
Now you know.