Building Habits with Recallify
Photo by Centre for Ageing Better on Unsplash
A practical guide to making Recallify part of your daily routine.
By Dr Sarah Rudebeck, Clinical Neuropsychologist
Let's start with something that might sound familiar: you downloaded Recallify because you wanted help remembering things, but now you're forgetting to use Recallify!
If that's you, it's completely normal. It's not a sign that the app isn't right for you. It's actually the very problem Recallify is designed to help with. The good news is there's a simple, evidence-based way to help.
1. Don't try to remember. Link it to something you already do.
The most effective way to build a new habit isn't willpower or reminders on sticky notes (though those can help). It's connecting the new behaviour to something you already do every day without thinking. Psychologists call this habit stacking, and decades of research shows it works. The idea is simple: take something automatic in your routine and attach Recallify to it.
"After I make my morning tea, I open Recallify and check my tasks."
"After any appointment or phone call, I record what was said before I move on."
"After I sit down on the bus home, I do a quick voice note about my day."
"After I take my evening medication, I review tomorrow's reminders."
Notice the pattern: after I do [thing I already do], I do [Recallify action]. That's all there is to it. Pick one and try it for a week.
Tip: Try linking Recallify to something you already do without thinking. The more automatic the trigger, the easier it is to build the habit.
2. Start with one thing, not everything
Recallify can do a lot: recordings, tasks, reminders, file imports, search, quizzes. But you don't need to use all of it straight away. In fact, trying to do too much too soon is one of the most common reasons people stop using any new tool.
Pick the one feature that solves your biggest frustration right now. For most people, that's recording appointments and letting Recallify pull out the tasks and reminders. Start there. Once that feels natural, explore the rest.
3. A simple daily routine to try
If you'd like a bit more structure, here's a routine to try. You don't have to follow all of it. Pick the parts that fit your day.
Morning: Open Recallify when you first check your phone. Glance at today's tasks and reminders. If you know you have appointments today, plan to record them.
During the day: After any appointment, meeting, or phone call, hit record and speak the key details while they're fresh. Or, with the other person's permission, record the conversation itself so Recallify can summarise it and pull out your tasks for you. It takes moments, and you don't need to worry about remembering everything yourself.
Evening: Check off anything you've done. Look at tomorrow's reminders so you feel prepared. That's it.
4. How one of our users makes it work
Alice has ADHD and was constantly anxious about forgetting things: dates, times, school admin for her children, meeting people. She was regularly late and details kept slipping through. Here's what she does now:
Sunday evening: She does a "brain dump" into Recallify. Everything she knows about the week ahead goes in. Recallify creates her tasks and sets reminders automatically. It takes about 10-15 minutes.
During the week: When something pops into her head, she does a quick voice note. When a school email arrives about a trip or own clothes day, she puts it straight into Recallify. A reminder is set immediately.
Each evening: She reviews what's happening the next day and adds anything new.
Since using Recallify, Alice hasn't missed a school event, she's on time for meetings, and the admin doesn't pile up any more. She hasn't improved her memory. She's reduced the demand on it.
Tip: You don't have to copy Alice's routine exactly. Pick the one idea that fits your life and start there.
5. What if you miss a day?
Nothing happens. There's no streak to break, no penalty, nothing lost. Just pick it up again next time. One missed day doesn't undo the progress you've already made. Building any new habit takes a few weeks to feel automatic. Be patient with yourself and see what helps you.
6. Ask someone to help
If you're comfortable with it, let someone you trust know you're using Recallify. A family member, a carer, a friend. A gentle reminder from someone you know can make a real difference in the first couple of weeks.
7. One last thing
Recallify exists to reduce the load on your memory, not to add to it. The whole point is that you record, and the app does the thinking. You don't need to be organised. You don't need to type things up. You just need to press record.
Start with one habit stack. See how it feels. You might be surprised how quickly it becomes second nature.
Recallify was built by Dr Sarah Rudebeck, a clinical psychologist, to support people to manage cognitive difficulties in their daily lives. Our clinical team is here to support you whenever you need. Just book a call with us and we're happy to help you get the most from Recallify.
Dr Sarah Rudebeck is a Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist with a PhD in memory disorders from Oxford University and co-founder of Recallify.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What if I keep forgetting to use Recallify?
This is one of the most common experiences when starting any memory or productivity app, and it is the very problem Recallify is designed to help with. The most reliable fix is habit stacking: link opening Recallify to something you already do every day, such as making your morning tea, sitting down on the bus, or taking your evening medication. Pair the new behaviour with an automatic one and it becomes much easier to remember.
How long does it take to build a habit of using a memory app?
Most people start to feel a new habit becoming automatic after a few weeks of consistent use. There is no fixed number, and it varies from person to person. The key is gentle repetition rather than perfection. If you miss a day, nothing is lost. Pick it up again the next time and the habit will continue to build.
Which Recallify feature should I start with?
Start with the one that solves your biggest frustration right now. For most people that is recording appointments, meetings, or phone calls and letting Recallify pull out the tasks and reminders automatically. Once that feels natural, you can explore other features such as imports, quizzes, search, and reminders. Trying to use everything at once is one of the most common reasons people give up on a new tool.
What is habit stacking and how does it help with memory?
Habit stacking is an evidence-based technique where you attach a new behaviour to something you already do without thinking. The pattern is simple: “After I do [existing habit], I do [new habit].” For example, “After I make my morning tea, I open Recallify.” Because the trigger is already automatic, the new behaviour becomes easier to remember. It works especially well for people who struggle with memory, attention, or executive function.
Can Recallify help with ADHD organisation and routines?
Yes. Many Recallify users with ADHD use it to capture appointments, school admin, ideas, and reminders before they slip away. A common routine is a Sunday evening “brain dump” of the week ahead, quick voice notes during the day when something pops into your head, and a short evening review of tomorrow’s tasks. The aim is to reduce the demand on memory rather than to improve it through effort alone.
Do I need to be organised to use Recallify?
No. Recallify is designed for people who find traditional planners and to-do lists overwhelming. You do not need to type things up, structure information, or remember to check anything complicated. You just press record or jot a quick note, and the app handles the summarising, task extraction, and reminders for you.
What happens if I miss a day of using Recallify?
Nothing. There is no streak to break and no penalty. The progress you have already made is not undone. Simply pick it up again the next time. Building any new habit takes a few weeks to feel automatic, so being patient with yourself matters more than being consistent every single day.
Can someone else help me build the habit of using Recallify?
Yes, and it often helps. Letting a family member, friend, or carer know that you are using Recallify means they can give you a gentle reminder in the first couple of weeks, when the habit is still forming. Some users also share key reminders or summaries with a trusted person so they can support follow-through together.