foggy brain syndrome
If we’re gonna lose our train of thought, we might as well enjoy the ride, right? Here’s a compartmentalized look at how middle-aged brain fog might be keeping you from that promotion and how to tackle it.
A syndrome is a series of symptoms that occur often and you cannot medically confirm it’s one disease or disorder. Brian fog was a post partum symptom of sleepless newborn nights. The mid life fog is a syndrome always occurring daily even after Sleep finally comes.
Brain fog bubbles up panic that can be sudsed out by everyone you run into all day.
Last week, ironically right before my hormone wellness talk, I sprayed hairspray on my armpits. Yes, you read that correctly, I thought my Orbie hair holder was deodarant. I use rolling Native mint and eucalytpus deodorant so this is trulty foggy behavior.
A few noticeable Fog Factors at work that can impact a promotion or new role.
I. The Case of the Vanishing Appointment Reminder
Symptom: You knew there was something important to do. What was it again? Ah, yes, remember to forget it. Brain fog can make your to-do list look like one of those invisible ink puzzles. Friends joke about paper calendars versus digtial ones. I use both. Plus a weekly to do list and post its and we all try to use the Hearth in our kitche.
Solution: Treat your brain like a detective case file. Leave yourself notes everywhere. Sticky notes, phone alarms, email reminders, tie a string on your finger—whatever works. Sure, you may look a bit like a walking memo board, but at least you’ll remember what’s next.
II. The “Where Am I and What day Is It?” Fog Layer
Symptom: You’re at a meeting, someone asks for an update, and suddenly you’re flashing back to a different call, “Wait, didn’t we agree on this last meeting? My paper notes and ai scribe said John approved this budget.” It’s as if every meeting is the last five minutes of a sci-fi movie where you have to piece together the entire plot.
Solution: Laugh it off sometimes. Say something like, “I’m bringing my best ‘mystery movie’ vibes to this meeting today, who wants to catch me up?” Humor can be a great way to ease the fog—and people will remember your resilience and wit in the process.
Also, snacks are often mandatory in preK but having almonds or electrolyte powder in your yeti to reduce adrenal Stress will literally help boost brain function. Salt and protein can stablized, literally, our cells to help lift that marine layer.
III. The Distracted Dilemma
Symptom: You’re staring into space, and it’s peaceful… until someone taps you on the zoom shoulder. It’s 2 p.m., and you’ve spent the past ten minutes imagining a life on a beach or snuggled into bed with your favorite silk pjs you saw Molly Sims wearing last week on her substack.
Solution: Set mini work goals to help bring yourself back down to Earth before a big meeting. Break your tasks into bite-sized pieces that you can tackle one daydream at a time. You may not be testing new pjs, but at least you’ll get through your afternoon.
Get real about distractions and priorities. An afternoon lull is one thing but focusing on really important tasks means you need to consider delegating or moving the meeting.
IV. The ‘Wait, What’s My Job Again?’ Moment
Symptom: You start a project and suddenly feel like you’re in the wrong career. You know you’re supposed to be managing a team… but today, every single task feels like you’ve just been asked to build a spaceship.
Solution: Embrace the art of the ‘mental reset.’ Get up, walk around, breathe, and convince yourself that you were hired for a reason! Bring in a little self-deprecating humor to let others know, “I’m living in a multitasking chapter of life—bear with me!” It might just make your journey (and theirs) more enjoyable.
When it comes to getting promoted, brain fog can feel like a relentless little gremlin, but here’s the trick: don’t let it keep you from showing up with fresh ideas and a clear focus. Promotions aren’t just about doing the same job better; they’re about showing that you can bring Innovation and order, even when the world feels like a giant puzzle (and brain fog is hiding half the pieces).
So, in that big meeting, show that brain fog doesn’t stand a chance against your preparation. Lead with creative ideas and organized plans, demonstrating that you’re not just managing uncertainty—you’re embracing it and turning it into an advantage. By tackling brain fog with humor and preparation, you show resilience, and by bringing Clarity and focus in a VUCA world, you set a new standard for calm, strategic leadership. After all, true leaders know that even a little brain fog can’t hold back a big vision.
