Episode 6 - Working Memory: Why Your Brain Keeps Dropping the Tabs

Working memory is the brain’s ability to hold information in mind long enough to use it. It helps us follow instructions, keep track of conversations, remember what we walked into a room to do, organise tasks, and connect one step to the next.In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore working memory from a psychology and therapy-informed perspective. We look at what working memory actually is, why it can feel unreliable, and how it affects everyday life, especially for neurodivergent brains, stressed brains, tired brains, and overwhelmed brains.We talk about the frustration of losing your train of thought, forgetting the next step, struggling to hold multiple demands in mind, and feeling like your brain has “dropped the tab” at the exact moment you needed it.We also explore why working memory is not about laziness, carelessness, or not trying hard enough. Often, it is a capacity issue. When the brain is overloaded, stressed, dysregulated, or juggling too much, working memory is one of the first systems to feel the pressure.This episode also considers practical ways to support working memory, including externalising information, reducing cognitive load, using visual cues, slowing down instructions, building routines, and creating environments that do not rely on the brain remembering everything at once.Working memory is not just about remembering. It is about holding, using, organising, and acting on information in real time. When we understand that, we can move away from shame and towards better support.Shorter version