Be a Goldfish.

Be a Goldfish: The Happiness Hack from Ted Lasso

“What if the secret to happiness isn’t remembering more, but forgetting faster?”

I have always been teased for having a short memory.I forget what people said in arguments. I forget birthdays. I forget details that others hold on to tightly. Sometimes I even felt embarrassed because of this forgetfulness.

But now I wear it as a badge of honour: I am a goldfish.

One day I was watching a web series Ted Lasso, recommended by my children , though honestly, I’m not a fan of long, tiring TV shows. In this show, Ted is a manager and coach of a football club. He keeps telling his players, even his own son: “Be a goldfish.” Because a goldfish has the shortest memory.

When I heard that, I almost laughed with happiness. That’s me! I’ve been a goldfish all my life. And instead of being embarrassed about my forgetfulness, I suddenly felt proud. I realised I’ve been fortunate to have this gift naturally, while so many others suffer under the weight of remembering too much.

The Goldfish Gift

People admire sharp memory, but in real life I’ve seen it become a curse. Because our brains are wired to stick to the negative more than the positive.

A harsh comment.An old fight.A small humiliation.

We drag these around for years, bring them up in conversations, and reopen old wounds. That’s how we spoil our present moments and even our relationships.

Me? By the time others are still chewing on yesterday’s bitterness, I’ve already forgotten it and moved on.

The Science of Forgetting

Neuroscience explains this too. When something happens, our brain has a short window — minutes to maybe an hour — to decide whether to store it long-term. If we keep replaying it, the brain stamps it in. But if we shake it off quickly, it never really settles.

And that’s the beauty of being a goldfish , your mental RAM doesn’t get clogged with all that unnecessary nonsense.

How You Can Be a Goldfish Too

Not everyone is born forgetful (lucky me ), but you can practice it. Here are some simple hacks that work:

1. Shake it out: Literally shake your arms and body for a few seconds. It’s amazing how it breaks the mental loop.

2. Name it and drop it: Tell yourself, “This isn’t worth storing.”

3. Move: Take a quick walk, stretch, or do a few squats — physical movement resets the brain.

4. Distract yourself fast: Call a friend, dive into work, or even scroll silly reels — anything to redirect attention.

5. Breathe it away: A few slow deep breaths calm the emotional storm.

6. Reframe quickly: Instead of “They insulted me,” try “That says more about them than me.”

Each of these helps you flush out the sting before it gets etched in.

The Lesson I Don’t Miss

Being a goldfish doesn’t mean I never learn. I may not remember exactly what someone said, but I do remember how it made me feel. That’s enough. I let go of the sting, but I keep the wisdom.

And that, I believe, is the real secret-Lightness without Carelessness.

Yes, I may forget your birthday. But I’ll also forget your insult. To me, that feels like a fair trade.

Over to You

Have you ever carried a memory for too long — an insult, a fight, a mistake and felt it weigh you down?What if you gave yourself 10 seconds to feel it and then let it go?

Would you be willing to try being a goldfish for a week and see how light life feels? 🐠