[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 07.20.2025​

Hey GrayViners!

Let’s be honest—we’ve all got a little trick or routine that makes people go, “Wait, you do what now?” But hey, if it works, it works!

So here's today's question: What’s a habit you’ve created that others might find unusual, but works perfectly for you?

Image credit: Unsplash/Jane Sorensen

For me? When I need to remember a list—anything from Social Security facts to your favorite Sunday classics—I take a walk. Not a real one, though… a stroll in my imagination.

I picture myself moving down a peaceful little street, and every house I pass is packed with a different topic. One’s full of helpful money tips, another’s got recipes, and another’s holding onto names I don’t want to forget. It’s my own neighborhood of memory—and I swear it helps every time!

Now it’s your turn: What’s a habit you’ve picked up that might seem unusual to others, but works like a charm for you?

Drop your answers below—let’s swap some quirky wisdom!

Cheers!
Blue

 

[Arkie98]

I locate land marks i can remember. When go in a building i tell myself i took either a right or left turn and know have to do the opposite going out. Reminds me of my aunt when her and another lady took off from Ia to go out to Washington against her son's wishes. She couldn't see very good and the other lady was deaf. They got lost but drove around until they found some thing they were familiar seeing.

 

[NIBOR0]

I locate land marks i can remember. When go in a building i tell myself i took either a right or left turn and know have to do the opposite going out. Reminds me of my aunt when her and another lady took off from Ia to go out to Washington against her son's wishes. She couldn't see very good and the other lady was deaf. They got lost but drove around until they found some thing they were familiar seeing.

I do something like that as I get lost anywhere I go. I try to remember the rock that looked like a bear is where I turn right. I think it's more visual cues with women rather than with men.

 

[NIBOR0]

I have a hard time remembering names so I try to do something like if their name is Sandy, I try to remember Sandy beaches. Sometimes it's a name that ryhmes with something. I try to say it 3 times to myself and it helps me remember.

 

[TriciaR]

I locate land marks i can remember. When go in a building i tell myself i took either a right or left turn and know have to do the opposite going out. Reminds me of my aunt when her and another lady took off from Ia to go out to Washington against her son's wishes. She couldn't see very good and the other lady was deaf. They got lost but drove around until they found some thing they were familiar seeing.

Thanks for sharing that @Arkie98 ! That’s such a clever and practical way to navigate—like creating your own mental breadcrumbs. It’s also a lovely memory of your aunt; I can just picture the two of them determined to find their way, even with the odds stacked against them. Do you still use this strategy today when you're in unfamiliar places, like shopping centers or medical buildings?

 

[TriciaR]

I have a hard time remembering names so I try to do something like if their name is Sandy, I try to remember Sandy beaches. Sometimes it's a name that ryhmes with something. I try to say it 3 times to myself and it helps me remember.

Thanks for sharing that @NIBOR0 ! That’s such a smart and creative way to lock in names—linking them to something visual or catchy really works for many people. Saying the name three times is a great reinforcement trick too! Do you find this method helps you most in social settings, like meeting new people at events, or is it something you use day-to-day, like with neighbors or shop staff?

 

[Hazeleyes]

I cannot remember people’s names. I go through the alphabet and try to remember it that way. .

 

[mmull]

I move half of my SS payment to savings. After 15 days I move it back to checking. It's like when I worked getting paid.

 

[NIBOR0]

Thanks for sharing that @NIBOR0 ! That’s such a smart and creative way to lock in names—linking them to something visual or catchy really works for many people. Saying the name three times is a great reinforcement trick too! Do you find this method helps you most in social settings, like meeting new people at events, or is it something you use day-to-day, like with neighbors or shop staff?

I use it day-to-day. I remember when I went to my Grandfathers funeral in Peoria, Illinois. I lived south of Kansas City and got off on the wrong highway trying to drive home and ended up on a two lane road out in the country. I pulled into a gas station and bought a map of Missouri. You can't find a paper map now with GPS. I kept checking my location and knew I had to go South West. I finally found I 70 and mananged to make it home. Whew, was that a trip!

 

[TriciaR]

I cannot remember people’s names. I go through the alphabet and try to remember it that way. .

Thanks for sharing that @Hazeleyes ! Using the alphabet as a memory trigger is such an interesting technique—I haven’t heard that one before, but it makes a lot of sense. Do you usually find the name comes to you quickly that way, or do you sometimes get stuck on a few letters?

 

[TriciaR]

I move half of my SS payment to savings. After 15 days I move it back to checking. It's like when I worked getting paid.

Thanks for sharing that @mmull — it’s a clever way to recreate the structure of a regular payday! It sounds like it helps you manage your spending and budget more mindfully. Have you found this habit makes it easier to stick to your monthly plans or avoid impulse spending?

 

[Hazeleyes]

Thanks for sharing that @Hazeleyes ! Using the alphabet as a memory trigger is such an interesting technique—I haven’t heard that one before, but it makes a lot of sense. Do you usually find the name comes to you quickly that way, or do you sometimes get stuck on a few letters?

I usually come up with the persons name usually by the second time going through the alphabet. I cannot come up with my niece’s boyfriend name as it is not a common name but always know his last name. I just say hello and not use his name. Have to come up with a way to remember his name.