Guide
How to remember where you put things
There is a particular kind of frustration in knowing you put something somewhere sensible and having no idea where that was. It usually happens with objects you handle rarely and store carefully — which is exactly why the memory never sticks.
The fix is not a better memory. It is a two-second note made at the moment of putting something away.
Why 'somewhere safe' is the worst place
Memory holds on to things that repeat or surprise. Putting a document in a drawer does neither: it is a small, sensible action among dozens of others that day.
Worse, careful storage often means an unusual place — the back of a wardrobe, a box in the loft, a folder inside another folder. The more deliberate the hiding, the less the location resembles any habit you could retrace.
The habit: say where, out loud or in writing
The moment you put something away, name the place. Not 'upstairs', but 'the second drawer of the desk in the bedroom'. Specific words are what make the note usable months later.
Writing it takes a couple of seconds and removes the need to remember anything at all.
- spare keys
- passports and identity documents
- guarantees, receipts and manuals
- seasonal items packed away
- gifts bought early and hidden
- cables, chargers and small spare parts
Where to write it so you can find it again
A note only works if it is searchable. A scrap of paper solves nothing; a note on your phone that you can search by the object's name solves everything.
MiRicordi has a section built for exactly this: you note the object and where you put it, and later you search for the object rather than trying to reconstruct the day.
When to add a reminder as well
Some objects need more than a location. Anything with a date — a passport, a warranty, a document that expires — deserves both a note of where it is and a reminder before the date matters.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an app to remember where you put things?
Yes. MiRicordi includes a section for noting where you put an object, so you can search for the item later instead of retracing your steps.
What is the best way to describe a place?
Be specific and use the words you would naturally use later: the room, the piece of furniture and the drawer or shelf. Vague notes are as unhelpful as no note.
Can I attach a photo of the place?
Yes. A photo of the drawer or the box often works better than any description, especially for storage areas that look alike.
Is MiRicordi available for iPhone?
MiRicordi is currently available for Android only and can be downloaded from Google Play. The iPhone version is on the way.