Brain Fog: The Ultimate Workplace Productivity Hack (Said No One Ever)

Before perimenopause, I was one of those people who prided themselves on a strong vocabulary, being organized, and having  mental clarity. I color-coded calendars, followed up on tasks,  honored deadlines, and could walk into a room without immediately wondering if I’d been abducted by aliens mid-stride.

Then came perimenopause, and with it, brain fog so thick I need a lighthouse to find my to-do list.

Picture this: you walk into a meeting, armed with your notebook, laptop, and your third cup of coffee. The presentation begins and you suddenly realize your bladder is about to betray you.  You quickly stand up and forget the word for… anything. You freeze, blinking at your colleagues, who now look like a row of confused meerkats. While you run out of the conference room finally remembering what was happening.

Later, you head to the break room to recover, only to forget why you even went there. Did you need coffee? A snack? Did you just wander in to weep silently into the freezer? You’ll never know.

Then there’s the classic mid-sentence brain reboot:

"Hey, can you pass me the... um... the... you know, the whirly spinny thing?!"

"You mean... the tape?"

"YES. The tape. You know what I mean."

You do not know what you mean. No one does.

To cope, you start writing everything down. Except then you forget where you put the list. You create password protected files but then forget the password. You try sticky notes, but they end up stuck to your sweater, your lunch, and once, your forehead (true story).

Oh, and let’s not forget the brain fog-fueled email fiascos: sending “Congratulations!” to your colleague when it’s actually a project update or forgetting to attach that Very Important document you promised. Twice.

The worst part? People tell you to “just focus more” or “be more organized,” as if you haven’t already tried bribing your own brain with coffee, dark chocolate, and whispered threats.

So, no - brain fog is not the next big productivity hack. It’s not a cute new life trend. It’s a personal Bermuda Triangle where thoughts go to disappear forever.

But hey, at least I’m never lonely at work anymore. My brain fog is always there to keep me company, whispering, "What are we doing again?"

Here’s to all my fellow perimenopausal warriors in the office: may your coffee stay strong, your fans blow cold, and your coworkers never question why you just called the printer "Jose."