The Mystery of the Disappearing Mum Brain

Before I became a mum, my brain was a finely tuned machine. I could juggle important dates, rattle off my to-do lists, and remember random trivia with the precision of a well-oiled system. Birthdays? Never missed one. Shopping lists? Memorised with military efficiency. I could recall the name of that actor from that obscure film we watched five years ago without pausing for a second. It was like my brain had its own in-built filing system.

Now? I’m lucky if I can remember where I left my phone… and I usually find it in the most random of places, like inside a shoe or under the pile of laundry-my husband has put a tracker on my phone, but I keep losing that too! But when it comes to work, that’s a different story. I have software for everything—project management tools, calendar reminders, and about 14 different kinds of lists. My brain may be on "mum mode," but my VA systems are ironclad.

The term mum brain is real, and I am its official spokesperson. My brain now operates like a chaotic filing cabinet where the labels have fallen off. It’s 80% full of to-do lists that never shrink, 15% occupied by mental snack inventories, and 5% wondering where that strange smell is coming from (spoiler: it’s usually a rogue piece of food The Menace has stashed in her latest "treasure hunt").

But when it comes to work, I don’t rely on memory alone—I document everything. My clients’ projects are managed with precision using software that keeps me on top of things. No task slips through the cracks, no matter how many times my four-year-old tries to sneak toy trains onto my desk.

Multitasking? Call Me Supermum (and Super VA)

Despite the occasional brain fog, I’ve developed some superhuman multitasking skills. Whether it’s family life or work, I’m juggling everything at once—and, yes, I’ve got the tools to help. My trusty project management software means I always know what’s next, even if The Menace is halfway through tearing apart her brother’s latest train set.

Need an email written while simultaneously cooking dinner, hanging the washing on the line, and mediating a heated sibling debate over whose turn it is to be the train driver? Done. And while my brain might forget what I walked into the kitchen for, it never forgets a deadline, thanks to the carefully documented plans I’ve put in place.

At this point, I could run a client’s inbox, take calls, and schedule social media posts—all while holding The Menace on one hip and dodging rogue toys scattered across the living room. I’m basically a Swiss Army knife of VAs, backed up by digital tools to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Who needs to remember things when you can document all the things?

The Vanishing Thoughts Syndrome

One of the true wonders of mum brain is how my thoughts seem to vanish in mid-air. I’ll be halfway through writing an important email or explaining a concept to a client when my mind goes completely blank. It’s like my brain has a glitch, and—poof!—all my thoughts are gone.

Luckily, with everything documented in my trusty software, there’s no panic. A quick glance at my notes and project board, and I’m right back on track. No lost email attachments, no forgotten follow-ups. The system is always there to pick up where mum brain leaves off.

It’s not that I don’t have moments of “What was I just doing?”—those come with the territory. But I’ve learned how to navigate them with my organised systems, so the work gets done even if my brain takes the occasional detour to “what’s for dinner” land.

The Client Calls vs. Snack Requests Battle

If there’s one thing that challenges my VA multitasking superpowers, it’s client calls. Picture this: I’m on a call with a client, deep in conversation about their new project plan, when suddenly, The Menace appears, covered in who-knows-what, demanding a snack as if her life depends on it.

There I am, seamlessly flipping between professional business advice and toddler snack negotiation. “Sure, we can launch that campaign next week... but no, darling, you can’t have biscuits before lunch.” It’s a high-stakes balancing act, switching between “client mode” and “mum mode” with the speed of a trapeze artist, only with more snacks involved.

But no matter how chaotic things get at home, my work stays on track because everything is mapped out and organised. My clients never need to worry about my kids derailing a project—the systems I have in place make sure of that. I’ve got all the backup I need, even if my son builds an entire railway around my office chair.

Mum Brain: A Survival Skill in Disguise

Here’s the kicker: mum brain isn’t just a memory loss disaster—it’s a survival skill. Yes, I’ve lost the ability to remember what I walked into the room for, and yes, I’ve microwaved my cup of tea so many times that I’m not even sure it qualifies as tea anymore. But amidst all this chaos, I’ve gained new abilities that pre-mum me wouldn’t have believed.

Thanks to a mix of instinct, software, and sheer willpower, I’ve mastered autopilot. The laundry ends up on the washing line, the children get fed, the client emails get sent (on time), and nothing slips through the cracks. Sure, I might realise at 11 p.m. that I need to write an extra report, but by then, I’ve already resolved five snack crises, broken up a toy-related argument, and ticked off every task on my list.

So even though mum brain has hijacked my once-organised mind, I’ve learned that it’s just my brain prioritising the important stuff—like snack schedules, laundry, and making sure everyone is relatively happy. My work, though? Always on point, because I’ve got the digital systems to back me up.

Because really, who needs a perfect memory when you’ve got top-notch software and survival instincts?