Staring Into the Fridge Again: ADHD and Brain Fog

Lost your keys again? Forgot what you were saying mid-sentence or why you walked into the room? Your computer hasn’t crashed—you’re just out of RAM. Let’s talk about memory, mental fatigue, and what God says about remembering what matters most.

What Brain Fog Feels Like

You open the fridge and stare, not sure why you’re there. You walk into a room and forget what you came for. You stop mid-sentence, completely blank on the thing you were about to say. Your keys, your wallet, your sunglasses are all not where you are certain that you left them. It’s not just forgetfulness—it’s brain fog.

For people with ADHD, anxiety, or chronic stress, this isn’t an occasional slip. It’s a daily battle. And it feels like your brain is running out of working memory, like a computer with too many applications open.

The result? Mental fatigue, scatter, and frustration. This shouldn’t be a big deal, but your brain won’t cooperate.

Why Does Brain Fog Happen?

Think of your brain like a computer. Every task you juggle—emails, conversations, errands—takes up RAM. When the memory gets overloaded, the system slows down or freezes.

For ADHD brains especially, this shows up as:

• Forgetting small details. Keys, appointments, even names can slip away.

• Losing track of conversations. Mid-sentence blanks or distractions derail your point.

• Task paralysis. Too many demands cause a mental shutdown.

• Mental fatigue. Even simple decisions feel exhausting.

It’s not laziness or carelessness. It’s your brain protecting itself from overload.

The Shame That Follows

The hardest part isn’t forgetting—it’s the shame that comes after. You wonder why you can’t keep up like everyone else. You feel embarrassed asking someone to repeat themselves again. You beat yourself up for losing focus at the wrong moment.

But shame only makes the fog thicker. It convinces you that your weakness is failure, when in reality, it’s neurological. And God’s Word tells us something different: “He knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:14, NLT).

Our God is not surprised by our fog. He meets us in it with patience and compassion.

What God Says About Remembering

The Bible talks a lot about remembering, but it doesn’t scold us for forgetfulness. Instead, it calls us to remember what matters most:

• God’s character. “Remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to be successful” (Deuteronomy 8:18, NLT).

• God’s promises. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will “remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26, NLT).

• God’s works. The psalms are filled with calls to remember what God has done in the past.

In other words, even when we forget the details of daily life, God calls us to anchor our minds on His truth. And He promises to help us remember what we can’t hold onto alone.

Practical Ways to Clear the Fog

You can’t get rid of brain fog overnight, but you can take steps to lighten the load on your mind.

1. Don’t Keep it All in Your Head

Don’t rely on your brain alone. Use reminders, lists, sticky notes, and alarms. This can be a big ask for people like us. Starting new habits and sticking with them can be extremely difficult. But this is one area where it’s worth the effort.

2. Reduce Open Tabs

Limit multitasking. Close literal browser tabs and mental ones too. Focus on one thing at a time whenever possible. Keep a list, preferably not on a whiteboard, but in a notebook where you can look at one item at a time. When you complete a task, go back to the notebook, cross it off and move on to the next one.

3. Rest Before Collapse

Exhaustion fuels fog. Take short breaks before your brain hits shutdown mode. Even two minutes of breathing or stepping outside can reset you.

4. Nourish the Body

Brain fog is tied to physical health. Drink water, eat steady meals, and move your body. Small habits make a big difference.

5. Pray in the Middle of Forgetfulness

Instead of scolding yourself, invite God in: “Lord, remind me of what matters right now.” Even if you still can’t find the keys, your heart shifts from shame to grace.

Learning to Live With Limited RAM

If your brain feels like it’s constantly out of memory, it just means you need new rhythms. People with ADHD often thrive once they stop fighting their wiring and start working with it. That means:

• Setting up systems you can trust

• Being honest about your limits

• Letting go of perfectionism

• Leaning into God’s strength when your own runs out

You may never have a spotless memory or flawless focus. But you don’t need those things to live a full, faithful life. What you need is the reminder that your worth is not measured in mental sharpness, but in God’s love.

A Prayer for the Foggy Mind

Lord, You know how often I forget the little things. You see the fog in my thoughts, the keys I misplace, and the words I lose. Thank You for being patient with me. Teach me to remember what matters most—Your love, Your promises, and Your presence. Give me grace for the things I forget and strength for the things I need to remember. Amen.

Final Word

Staring into the fridge again doesn’t mean you’re failing—it just means your brain is out of RAM. Brain fog is real, and it’s more common than you think. The good news is that God meets us in the fog, reminding us of what matters most when we can’t hold it all together.