Why Memory Games Matter (Even If You Forgot Where You Put Your Coffee)
Let’s be real: working memory is the unsung hero of executive function. It’s the mental sticky note that helps you remember what you were doing before you opened 14 tabs and forgot why you started any of them. For neurodivergent brains — especially those with ADHD, autism, or other wonderfully wired ways of thinking — working memory can be more like a post-it in a wind tunnel.
That’s where memory games come in. Yes, games. As in: fun, bite-sized, no-pressure ways to trick your brain into doing something useful while pretending it’s playtime. Win-win.
Wait… What Is Working Memory Again?
Great question — and very on-brand for a working memory post.
Working memory is your brain’s ability to hold and use small pieces of information in the short term. It's how you remember a phone number long enough to dial it, follow multi-step instructions, or get through a recipe without checking the measurements 12 times (no shame).
When your working memory is struggling, even simple tasks can feel like untangling a bunch of invisible wires. Did I take my meds already? What did I come into this room for? Where did I put my coffee? (Checks fridge. Finds car keys.)
So Why Do Memory Games Help?
Because they give your working memory a workout — but in a way that’s fun and manageable. Think of it like lifting brain weights, except instead of bench-pressing, you’re matching colors, solving word puzzles, or playing that one mobile game where you repeat an increasingly chaotic sequence of sounds like you're defusing a bomb in space.
Even better: memory games tap into pattern recognition, spatial memory, and sequencing — all areas where neurodivergent brains might need a bit more support (or just a fun challenge). Plus, they're often fast, low-stakes, and easy to fit into your day — which is ideal when attention spans are doing somersaults.
But I Don’t Want to Feel Like I’m Studying
Good. Because you're not.
The best memory games feel like goofing off, but secretly they’re helping you sharpen the mental tools you use every single day — whether it’s remembering what someone just said in a meeting, following through on a plan, or holding an idea long enough to write it down before it vanishes into the ether.
You don’t need to buy a brain-training subscription or turn your life into a self-improvement project. Even casual stuff like:
Matching card games
Word association games
“What changed?” photo comparisons
Simon Says (yes, the literal game)
DIY scavenger hunts
Repeating numbers backwards like a boss
…can actually strengthen working memory, boost focus, and build mental flexibility. Bonus points if you laugh at yourself while playing.
TL;DR?
Memory games: not just for kids, not just for procrastinators, and definitely not just for people who already remember everything. They’re small but mighty tools for training your brain — especially if it marches to its own neurodivergent beat.
So play a little. Let your brain wander into a game and pick up some useful tricks while it’s distracted. And hey, if you forgot what this blog was about halfway through — that’s okay. Just scroll back up. We’re rooting for your beautifully unpredictable memory, every step of the way.
