10 Memory Techniques That Actually Work (And Why They Do)

My memory used to be... well, let's just say it wasn't great.

I'm talking about forgetting people's names literally seconds after they told me. Like, I'd shake someone's hand, they'd say "Hi, I'm Mike" and by the time I sat down, I'd be like "wait, what was his name again?"

Or walking into a room and having absolutely no idea why I came in there. Happened constantly. My roommate would find me standing in the kitchen just... staring at the fridge, trying to remember what I wanted.

The worst was when someone asked for my phone number and I just... blanked. My own phone number. That I've had for 8 years. I had to pull out my phone to check. It was mortifying.

So I decided to fix it. I spent way too much time on Reddit reading about memory techniques, bought like 3 books on Amazon (only finished one of them, oops), and tried basically everything people recommended.

Some of it worked. Some of it was total BS. Here's what actually helped me, after like 2 years of trial and error.

1. The Memory Palace Thing (Method of Loci)

Okay so this one sounds super weird but it actually works. It's been around forever—like, ancient Greeks used it. If it worked for them, it can work for us, right?

The idea is: you take a place you know really well (I use my apartment) and you mentally "place" things you want to remember in different spots. Then when you need to remember them, you just walk through the place in your mind.

So for my grocery list, I'll put milk in the fridge (obviously), bread on the kitchen counter, eggs on the dining table, apples in the fruit bowl... you get the idea. Then when I'm at the store, I just mentally walk through my apartment and I remember everything.

It sounds crazy, I know. My roommate thinks I'm nuts when I explain it. But it works! I can remember like 15-20 items this way, which is way more than I could before.

Why does it work? Apparently our brains are really good at remembering places and locations. Like, you can probably remember the layout of your childhood home, right? So you're using that same part of your brain to remember other stuff. Pretty clever, actually.

2. Chunking

This is when you break information into smaller, manageable pieces. Instead of trying to remember a 10-digit number as one long string, you break it into chunks: 555-123-4567.

Why it works: Your working memory can only hold about 7 items at once. By grouping information into chunks, you're essentially storing more information in the same number of "slots."

Phone numbers are a perfect example. We don't remember them as 10 individual digits—we remember them as three chunks. You can practice this technique with our Number Memory game, which helps train your ability to chunk and recall digit sequences.

3. Spaced Repetition

Instead of cramming information, you review it at increasing intervals. Review something after 1 day, then 3 days, then a week, then two weeks.

Why it works: Your brain strengthens memories each time you recall them. But there's a sweet spot—you want to wait until you're just about to forget, then review. This creates stronger memories than constant repetition.

I use this for learning new vocabulary. I review words at increasing intervals, and they stick much better than if I just repeated them over and over.

4. Visualization

Turn abstract information into mental images. The weirder and more vivid, the better.

Why it works: Your brain remembers images much better than abstract concepts. By creating a mental picture, you're giving your brain something concrete to hold onto.

If I need to remember someone named "Baker," I might imagine them wearing a chef's hat and holding a loaf of bread. The image sticks much better than just the name.

5. The Story Method

Connect items you want to remember into a story. The story doesn't have to make sense—it just needs to be memorable.

Why it works: Stories are easier to remember than random facts. By creating a narrative, you're giving your brain a structure to hang information on.

If I need to remember a grocery list (milk, eggs, bread, apples), I might create a story: "A cow (milk) laid an egg, then used bread to make an apple pie." It's ridiculous, but I'll remember it.

6. Acronyms and Acrostics

Create a word or phrase where each letter stands for something you want to remember. "ROY G. BIV" for the colors of the rainbow is a classic example.

Why it works: You're reducing the amount of information you need to remember. Instead of remembering seven colors, you remember one word.

7. Active Recall

Instead of just reading information, actively try to recall it. Quiz yourself. Write it down from memory.

Why it works: The act of retrieving information strengthens the memory. Reading is passive. Recalling is active, and active practice is always more effective.

When I'm studying, I read something once, then immediately try to explain it in my own words. This forces me to actually understand and remember it.

8. Elaborative Rehearsal

Don't just repeat information—think about what it means. Connect it to things you already know. Ask yourself questions about it.

Why it works: The more connections you create in your brain, the easier it is to retrieve the information later. You're building a web of associations, not just storing isolated facts.

9. The Feynman Technique

Named after physicist Richard Feynman, this technique involves explaining something in simple terms, as if teaching a child.

Why it works: To explain something simply, you have to understand it deeply. This process forces you to identify gaps in your knowledge and fill them.

I use this all the time. If I can't explain something simply, I don't really understand it yet.

10. Just... Sleep More

This isn't really a "technique" but it's SO important. I used to stay up until like 2am scrolling TikTok and then wonder why I couldn't remember anything the next day. Shocking, I know.

Your brain does this thing while you sleep where it basically organizes and strengthens memories. It's like your brain's filing system—except it only works when you're actually sleeping.

I've tested this (not scientifically, just... personally). If I study something or try to memorize something right before bed, I remember it way better the next day. But if I stay up late and don't sleep well? Forget it. Literally.

I try to get 7-8 hours now. Used to be more like 5-6, and my memory was terrible. Now that I'm sleeping better, everything else works better too. Who would have thought?

Also, naps help. A 20-minute nap in the afternoon? Game changer. I feel sharper, remember things better, and I'm less of a grump. My coworkers appreciate that last part.

Putting It All Together

So the best approach is to mix and match. I might use the memory palace for a shopping list, chunking for a phone number, visualization for a name. Different techniques for different situations.

Don't try to learn all of them at once—that's way too much. I made that mistake. Pick 2-3 that make sense to you and practice those. Once they become automatic, add another one.

Like any skill, memory techniques get easier with practice. At first, using the memory palace felt weird and took forever. Now it's pretty quick. Still feels a little weird, but it works.

The Honest Truth

Here's the thing: these techniques work. But they require effort. There's no magic pill. No shortcut. You have to practice. You have to be consistent.

And honestly? Sometimes I still forget things. I'm not perfect. But I'm way better than I used to be. And that improvement has made my life easier in so many small ways.

Start with one technique. Get good at it. Then add another. Before you know it, you'll have a whole toolkit.

And hey, maybe you'll actually remember where you put your keys. I still lose mine sometimes, but less often than before. Progress, not perfection, right?