How to Find Things You Lost

Method 1 of 3: Reflecting on the Loss

1. 
   Try to remember the last time you had the item. Before you begin your search, think 
   about the last time you had the item -- whether it was your phone, your glasses, or one of 
   your precious earrings. Close your eyes and try to think about the last time it was with you
   , or what you were doing when it was last in your possession. Here are some tricks for 
   remembering the last time you had it:
   • Be logical. If it was a practical item like a phone or pair of glasses, think of the last
   •  call you made or the last time you wore your glasses.
   • Ask your friends. If you lost a piece of jewelry or a favorite scarf and were hanging 
   • out with your friends earlier that day, ask your friends if they remembered you 
   • wearing that item.
   • If you're lucky enough to have lost something during an occasion when you were
   •  taking lots of pictures, then search through your photos to see if you can spot
   •  when you no longer had the item.
   • If you absolutely can't remember the last time you had it that day, or even that
   •  month, then it'll be harder to find it, but not impossible.
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2. 
   2
   Think of everywhere you went since you lost the item. Once you have a rough idea
3.  of when you lost it, make a list of all the places you went since you lost it. If you were 
4. hanging out at home, then it's easy. If you ran errands all over town, then it's trickier.
5.  Wherever you went, write down all of the locations.
6. 
   3
   Get in the right mental space. Before you start looking for the item, you should get in the
7.  right head space for finding the item. There are two main things you can do mentally to
8.  improve your chances of finding the item:
   • Try to get in the mindset you had when you lost the item. Maybe you lost your 
   • graphing calculator after your big exam. Try to remember what thoughts were
   •  going through your head during the exam, and maybe the free association will 
   • help you remember that you left the calculator in your locker or loaned it to a friend.
   • Be positive and relaxed. If you're in a frenzy because you can't find the item, then you won't be able to focus or take your time in finding it.