The Absent-Minded Post-It Note Club: Staying Sharp as Queen-Agers

When I was in middle school, my dad turned our basement into my bedroom. It was perfectly decorated, complete with the best closet—and a crawl space that became my own personal phone booth. I’d drag my yellow beanbag chair inside, shut the door, and spend hours on the phone with my childhood best friend, Michelle Francisco. We were convinced we set world records for the longest telephone conversations (corded phone attached to the wall, of course). To this day, I still remember Michelle’s number, and I can sing almost every word to most ’80s and ’90s songs.

Fast forward to now: I can recall lyrics from decades ago, but I rarely remember what I had for dinner last night or why I walked into a room. That’s why I’ve become the queen of post-it notes. They’re everywhere—on my desk, in the car, even on my bedside table. I once worried this forgetfulness meant early-onset dementia, but my doctor reassured me it’s just normal aging. The difference? Age-related memory loss doesn’t disrupt daily life, while dementia does.

So, what can we queen-agers (50+ women redefining midlife) do to reduce cognitive decline? Here are some tried-and-true strategies:

✨ Stay Social: Spending quality time with others lowers stress, which benefits your brain. Laughter and connection are medicine.

🧘 Manage Stress: Stress makes memory lapses more likely. Find rituals that calm you—whether it’s meditation, journaling, or an activity like mistletoe hunting with family.

😴 Prioritize Sleep: Good sleep is essential for memory consolidation. I love a good nap and yes, naps count.

🧩 Challenge Your Brain: Games like Sudoku, reading (your favorite blog), learning a new language (wunderbar!), or even trying a new recipe keep your brain flexible.

🏃 Move Your Body: While it might not always be fun, exercise stimulates the brain and improves blood flow. Even a brisk walk helps.

🥗 Eat for Your Brain: You can still have doughnut every now and then but try to also squeeze in antioxidants and omega-3-rich foods (think salmon, walnuts, blueberries) keep brain cells clicking.

So, if you’re part of the absent-minded post-it note club, take heart: you’re not alone. And remember, reading this blog is one more way to keep your mind young.... Keep following along at kickingthechaoswithkaylin.com—because together, we’re rewriting what it means to age with creativity, humor, and resilience.