How AI Helps Me Capture My Thoughts and Memories

For as long as I can remember, I have been someone who experiences life deeply. Emotions, memories, and reflections swirl in my mind, rich with meaning, yet when I try to put them on paper, they often feel fragmented. My journals have turned into a collection of bullet points—disjointed thoughts rather than flowing narratives. Whether it’s my ADHD making it difficult to organize my thoughts or the mental toll of caregiving affecting my cognitive function, one thing is certain: writing is no longer as easy as it once was.

But that doesn’t mean my words don’t matter. In fact, they matter more than ever.

This is where AI has stepped in—not to replace my voice, but to help me shape it. When I sit down to write, I have all the emotions, the raw experiences, and the real-life truths inside me. The AI doesn’t create them; it simply helps me string them together in the eloquent way I wish I could on my own. It allows me to articulate the weight of ambiguous grief, the exhaustion of caregiving, and the resilience I have built over years of navigating this journey.

The reality is that caregiving doesn’t just take a toll on the body—it impacts the mind in ways that are often overlooked. Studies have shown that long-term caregivers are at a higher risk for cognitive decline. One study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that caregivers of people with dementia experience an accelerated rate of cognitive decline compared to non-caregivers. Another study from the Alzheimer’s Association reports that 32% of caregivers say their responsibilities have caused them to neglect their own health, which directly affects brain function and mental clarity. Stress, sleep deprivation, and chronic emotional strain can all contribute to what feels like a fog settling over the brain.

I know that fog well. I live in it.

Living in a prolonged state of stress means that my cortisol levels have been elevated for years. Chronic stress impacts memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation, making it harder to articulate my thoughts and process my emotions. Studies show that prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can shrink the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for verbal memory and cognitive function. This is why some days, it feels impossible to write, to find the words that used to come so easily. My brain is constantly operating in survival mode, prioritizing immediate needs over deep reflection and structured thought.

So, I use the tools available to me. Some people use voice notes, others lean on structured planners or therapy, and I use AI. It’s my bridge between the chaos in my head and the clarity I need to tell my story. It helps me validate my reality—because everything I write is mine. Every word stems from my experience. AI just helps me shape my thoughts into something that flows, something that I can read back and say, Yes, this is me.

Maybe one day my mind will feel lighter, and writing will come easier again. But for now, I am grateful for anything that allows me to express the weight of my experiences and preserve the truths of my journey.

Because my story is worth telling—choppy thoughts and all.