Since having three kids, there are times when I open the refrigerator and stand there blankly thinking, "What was I going to take out?"

And the funny thing is, when I pick up my phone.... I find myself blankly wondering what app I was going to use. It's not like I have goldfish memory, but in the time it takes to unlock my phone, I forget what I was going to do.

At first, I thought it was just because I was tired, but lately, these moments have been happening more frequently, and honestly, it's scary. I sometimes wonder if I might be in the early stages of dementia.

Especially when I hear news about early-onset dementia in young people, my heart sinks.

However, when I went to the hospital for a consultation, the doctor said, "That's just forgetfulness. It's different from dementia."

That one statement reassured me, but I wanted to understand the difference. Forgetfulness is a temporary disruption in the brain's memory function. In simple terms, it's when 'the memory is there, but the retrieval speed is slow.'

For example, if I can't remember a friend's name but then suddenly recall, 'Oh right, Soo-jin!' that's forgetfulness. The information is still in the memory storage, but I just can't find the key for a moment. In contrast, dementia is a disease where 'the memory itself disappears.' It's the beginning of dementia when you hear a name and don't recognize it, or when you open the refrigerator and can't remember what you were supposed to do at all.

The biggest difference is that with forgetfulness, you are aware of your mistakes, but with dementia, you don't even recognize that you've forgotten.

The doctor mentioned that this kind of memory confusion is common in women after their 40s. It happens because hormonal changes increase with repeated pregnancies and childbirth, along with accumulated sleep deprivation and stress.

In fact, I haven't been able to sleep well since having my third child. Taking care of three kids leaves no time to rest. The brain, like a muscle, gets fatigued and its function declines.

So, I've been trying to live a little differently these days. When my memory slips, instead of forcing myself to remember, I take a moment to pause.

I've also made it a habit to take notes. I stick Post-it notes on the refrigerator and check my phone's schedule every morning.

I've changed my diet too. Eating brain-boosting foods like nuts, blueberries, eggs, and salmon definitely makes me feel clearer-headed. Above all, what's important is taking time to care for myself. Even just 30 minutes a day for exercise or a quiet moment with a cup of green tea helps my brain rest.

These days, when I hear the term 'young dementia' on TV, I no longer feel scared like I used to. In most cases, it's not dementia but temporary forgetfulness caused by fatigue and stress.

Of course, I mustn't be complacent. If I experience repeated disorientation, confusion about dates, or a sense of unfamiliarity with objects, I need to go to the hospital. But if that's not the case, taking a moment to clear my head and letting my body rest is the best medicine.

Raising three kids has made me realize that I'm human too, and it's okay to pause for a moment. I've learned that memory isn't about holding onto everything perfectly but rather letting it flow for a while and allowing it to come back again.