--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So it's like your brain has a large…" description: "\"So it's like your brain has a large filing cabinet and it's opening up each drawer and it's taking in various images and memories from the day, consoli..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/shelby-harris-10520_brain_so-it-s-like-your-brain-has-a-large-fili_1212891.jpg" --- # So it's like your brain has a large filing cabinet and… ![“So it's like your brain has a large filing cabinet and it's opening up each drawer and it's taking in various images and memories from the day, consolidating what it needs to and puts in whatever file. And then if there's something that doesn't fit in any of the files and doesn't really belong…” quote by Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/shelby-harris-10520_brain_so-it-s-like-your-brain-has-a-large-fili_1212891.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/shelby-harris-10520_brain_so-it-s-like-your-brain-has-a-large-fili_1212891.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cc/shelby-harris-10520_brain_so-it-s-like-your-brain-has-a-large-fili_1212891.jpg) > “So it's like your brain has a large filing cabinet and it's opening up each drawer and it's taking in various images and memories from the day, consolidating what it needs to and puts in whatever file. And then if there's something that doesn't fit in any of the files and doesn't really belong, you'll forget about it. So it's a way of really getting a succinct way of storing things in your brain.” [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The brain organizes daily experiences by filing them, discarding mismatched items, creating concise storage. **In simple terms:** Brain sorts and discards irrelevant memories. Key Takeaway Use structured review to reinforce key information. Themes memory organization learning cognition Mood thoughtful analytical Type educational insightful When to use this quote - studying - work meetings - personal reflection - creative brainstorming Key Concepts filing system consolidation selective retention Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide what to keep? - What methods improve memory filing? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on forgetting can lose useful insights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Filing cabinet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/filing-cabinet/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) [Opening up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opening-up/) ## Related quotes > [Don't use your mind for a filing cabinet. Use your mind to work out problems and find answers; file away good ideas in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/don-t-use-your-mind-for-a-filing-cabinet-use-your-mind-to-work-out/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-g-scott/learning-pondering-searching-and-memorizing-scriptures-is-like/) [Richard G. Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-g-scott/) > [Given my experience, I believe there are three compelling reasons why the death penalty should be replaced. (1) The criminal justice system makes mistakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gascon/given-my-experience-i-believe-there-are-three-compelling-reasons-why/) George Gascon > [The real desk isn't one with four legs and a filing cabinet. It's the space of time that you stake out every day and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-ritter/the-real-desk-isn-t-one-with-four-legs-and-a-filing-cabinet-it-s-the/) [Josh Ritter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-ritter/) > [Memory: what wonders it performs in preserving and storing up things gone by - or rather, things that are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/memory-what-wonders-it-performs-in-preserving-and-storing-up-things/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [You and your brain are two things. The brain is your machinery just like everything else is your machinery. This hand is my mechanism;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/you-and-your-brain-are-two-things-the-brain-is-your-machinery-just/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [People seem to have trouble with the imagination. They can't believe that you can just pull things out of your brain like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-p-jones/people-seem-to-have-trouble-with-the-imagination-they-can-t-believe/) [Edward P. Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-p-jones/) > [I'm trying to do some things with my brain institute to understand more about the impact of concussion on brain tissue, because we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/i-m-trying-to-do-some-things-with-my-brain-institute-to-understand/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [The brain is a dynamic system that constantly processes and creates your reality. It works best if you balance all the things that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-brain-is-a-dynamic-system-that-constantly-processes-and-creates/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“I always thought the key to immortality would be, like, tiny robots fixing things in your brain,” she says. “Not books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sloan/i-always-thought-the-key-to-immortality-would-be-like-tiny-robots/) [Robin Sloan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sloan/) > [“What was it Harry used to say? Intuition is only the sum of many small but specific things the brain hasn't managed to put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-nesb/what-was-it-harry-used-to-say-intuition-is-only-the-sum-of-many-small/) [Jo Nesbø](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-nesb/) > [“My head was once a filing cabinet. Now it’s a flurry of papers, floating on a draft.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-finn/my-head-was-once-a-filing-cabinet-now-it-s-a-flurry-of-papers/) [A.J. Finn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-finn/) > [“Yes, you are a different person. Never give up! You will learn to do things for your brain instead of relying on your brain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-and-beth-jameson/yes-you-are-a-different-person-never-give-up-you-will-learn-to-do/) Larry and Beth Jameson > [Prediction is not just one of the things your brain does. It is the primary function of the neo-cortex, and the foundation of intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-hawkins/prediction-is-not-just-one-of-the-things-your-brain-does-it-is-the/) [Jeff Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-hawkins/) > [“A tremendous amount of my brain was fitted with noticing new things out where nothing was familiar: buildings, types of cars, types of people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-lacey/a-tremendous-amount-of-my-brain-was-fitted-with-noticing-new-things/) [Catherine Lacey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-lacey/) ## More by Shelby Harris > [ When they \[people with insomnia\] start worrying about not sleeping, I'll say, "Say the mantra to myself; if I don't sleep tonight, I'll likely… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/when-they-people-with-insomnia-start-worrying-about-not-sleeping-i-ll/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [If there's a lot of fear that's going on, if there's a lot of anxiety, it's manifesting itself in your nocturnal world so that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/if-there-s-a-lot-of-fear-that-s-going-on-if-there-s-a-lot-of-anxiety/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [We try not using medications initially, and we use something called behavioral therapy for insomnia. This changes behaviors people do in bed, none of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-try-not-using-medications-initially-and-we-use-something-called/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [And you cycle throughout so that you do about five to six cycles throughout the night. And we spend more time in REM later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/and-you-cycle-throughout-so-that-you-do-about-five-to-six-cycles/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [Night terrors are very different from nightmares. A lot of people will think they're the same, but they're really not. Night terrors - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/night-terrors-are-very-different-from-nightmares-a-lot-of-people-will/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [ We're not really sure why it \[broken circadian rhythm\] continues, but when they become adults, we usually have to treat it because many people… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/we-re-not-really-sure-why-it-broken-circadian-rhythm-continues-but/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [Some patients are still having insomnia, but it's seems worse to them than actually it is. So, if they say they're sleep deprived, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/some-patients-are-still-having-insomnia-but-it-s-seems-worse-to-them/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [Sleep paralysis is something that is actually very common. Many people have it, I've had it myself. And what happens is, when you're in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/sleep-paralysis-is-something-that-is-actually-very-common-many-people/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [So you have Sleep Stage One, Two, and then Three/Four. One is a little bit lighter stage of the quiet, non-REM sleep and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-you-have-sleep-stage-one-two-and-then-three-four-one-is-a-little/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [The other option we have are medication treatments. So you'll have the treatments such as Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata, and we'll also have Rozerem and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/the-other-option-we-have-are-medication-treatments-so-you-ll-have-the/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [So, sleep deprivation, and sometimes an insomnia, which is a little bit of a different form, but just getting a lack of sleep, can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-sleep-deprivation-and-sometimes-an-insomnia-which-is-a-little-bit/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [So when it comes to circadian rhythms, it's a clock that's basically programmed in our body. So if you think back to times when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-when-it-comes-to-circadian-rhythms-it-s-a-clock-that-s-basically/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [There's confusional arousals, there are states in deeper sleep that can happen where people will go and they'll disappear and they'll take on some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/there-s-confusional-arousals-there-are-states-in-deeper-sleep-that/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [So someone who is a child usually goes to bed about 8:00 or 9:00 at night, but then when they have a circadian rhythm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/so-someone-who-is-a-child-usually-goes-to-bed-about-8-00-or-9-00-at/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) > [People tend to remember their dreams in the morning a little bit better and if earlier in the night, when you're in a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-harris/people-tend-to-remember-their-dreams-in-the-morning-a-little-bit/) [Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) [Explore all 65 Shelby Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-harris/) ## More Brain quotes > [The brain abhors discrepancies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/the-brain-abhors-discrepancies/) [Vilayanur S. Ramachandran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/) > [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [down with ought with because with every brain that thinks it thinks nor dares to feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/down-with-ought-with-because-with-every-brain-that-thinks-it-thinks/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [I prefer the word 'musician.' I'm a musician and a composer. I have a problem with the word 'artist.' I don't know if it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stromae/i-prefer-the-word-musician-i-m-a-musician-and-a-composer-i-have-a/) [Stromae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stromae/) > [Thinking of sex provides enough mental stimulation to reduce risk of diseases that damage the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/thinking-of-sex-provides-enough-mental-stimulation-to-reduce-risk-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [The reason I'm drawn to it is - both the off road racing and the motorcycles on the track - it takes a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dax-shepard/the-reason-i-m-drawn-to-it-is-both-the-off-road-racing-and-the/) [Dax Shepard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dax-shepard/) > [Without illusions. I love you because you are fallible and because your poor misguided testosterone-corrupted brain has you doing cartwheels trying not to be.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-gerard/without-illusions-i-love-you-because-you-are-fallible-and-because/) [Cindy Gerard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-gerard/) > [being asked to decide between your passion for work and your passion for children was like being asked by your doctor whether you preferred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-bevington/being-asked-to-decide-between-your-passion-for-work-and-your-passion/) [Helen Bevington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-bevington/) > [I was told I had brain damage. I always knew it was an unfair label. 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