🚂 The Great Choo Choo Theory of Cognitive Interruptions
Have You Ever Felt Like You Were Losing Your Memory?
Have you ever...
...walked into a room and suddenly asked,
"Now why did I come in here?"
Or maybe you were just about to tell someone something important when...
• The phone rang.
• Someone walked in.
• A text message popped up.
• Someone asked you a question.
• A baby started crying.
• The doorbell rang.
A few seconds later...
"Wait... what was I going to say?"
If you've experienced this, you're certainly not alone.
I'd like to introduce...
🚂 The Great Choo Choo Theory of Cognitive Interruptions
Imagine every new thought arriving on a train.
Each passenger on that train represents one part of your idea.
The train pulls into the station.
The doors open.
Passengers begin stepping off...
Then suddenly...
Someone interrupts you.
• The phone rings.
• A customer walks in.
• A delivery arrives.
• Someone starts talking to you.
• Your child called, "Mom!"
• The dog started barking.
🚂
CHOO CHOO!!
The train takes off again before all of the passengers have had a chance to leave.
Now you're left standing there thinking...
"What was I about to say?"
Does that mean something is wrong with your memory?
Not necessarily.
Sometimes your brain was simply interrupted before it had enough time to finish processing what you were thinking.
Whether you're at work or at home, some days are simply filled with interruptions.
Many jobs require people to rapidly shift attention between competing demands.
Every interruption asks your brain to temporarily switch tracks.
Sometimes the original train simply keeps traveling until your mind has a chance to return to it.
What does this feel like?
You might hear yourself saying:
"Where's my head today?"
"I forgot why I came in here."
"I know I had something important to tell you."
"I'm losing my memory."
"I can't remember anything anymore."
Sound familiar?
We've all heard ourselves—or someone else—say these things.
Maybe...
Maybe your Thought Train simply left the station.
Instead of criticizing yourself...
Pause.
Smile.
Take two or three slow, deep breaths.
Allow your nervous system a moment to settle.
Sometimes that small pause is enough to quiet the mental traffic.
Then...
🚂
You suddenly hear...
"OH! That's what I was going to say!"
Your Thought Train has returned to the station.
Progress, Not Perfection
We often judge ourselves harshly over ordinary human experiences.
Sometimes we assume we're forgetful...
when we're actually interrupted.
When we change the story we tell ourselves, we often change the way we experience the moment.
Sometimes we assume we're failing...
when we're simply overloaded.
Giving ourselves compassion instead of criticism creates room for clarity to return.
A Personal Note
This idea didn't come from a textbook.
It was born during one of the busiest workdays I can remember.
As interruptions continued throughout the day, my thoughts kept disappearing...
...and then unexpectedly returning later.
Instead of becoming frustrated, I began laughing.
It felt exactly like a train leaving the station before all of my thoughts had a chance to get off.
That simple image completely changed how I viewed those moments.
Now whenever it happens...
I simply smile and think...
🚂
"There goes my Thought Train..."
And more often than not...
It comes rolling back into the station a little later.
Final Thoughts
Life is full of interruptions.
Phones ring.
Children need us.
Coworkers ask questions.
Emails arrive.
The doorbell rings.
Packages show up.
Your child needs your attention.
The dog starts barking.
Dinner begins to boil over.
Life happens.
Before assuming something is wrong with you...
Give yourself grace.
Your Thought Train may simply be taking another lap around the tracks.
🚂
Sometimes all it needs...
...is a chance to come home.
Progress, Not Perfection.
Has your Thought Train ever left the station?
I'd love to hear about it in the comments below.
🧠Compass Your Purpose
