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It's a bit disconcerting when you catch yourself zoning out while doing something. Seconds, maybe even minutes go by as your mind drifts off, and your body, hands and perhaps even feet just keep going. Hopefully, this happens while you are doing something safe or unimportant, but fortunately, internet users have compiled the times' something a bit more silly happened.

People were asked to share their own stories with mental autopilot in a Twitter thread that went viral. So make sure you are seated somewhere comfortable, scrolling through and upvoting your favorites. And if you want to learn about more bizarre things people have done, you can find more stories on this topic here and here.

Image credits: UberFacts

#1

Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

Aminu_S_Abubakr Report

troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or looking for my glasses while wearing them?

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    #2

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    BadgerNinja99 Report

    Uncanny
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is a good idea. When all machines become self aware and take over the world, they’ll remember your good manners. 👍

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    #3

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Glaviolis Report

    Firstly, you might wonder why our brains decide that we shouldn’t be concentrating at a given time. Scientists refer to this feature (or bug) as Default Mode Network or DMN, though the less-specific mind-wandering can also be used. Basically, if the correct circumstances are met, like doing an activity you have ample experience with, your brain will “push” the taste to the background, allowing you to start thinking about something else, even when you don’t actually want this to happen. 

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    Driving is one of the most common activities that causes people’s minds to wander. If the individual is an experienced driver and isn’t generally stressed while on the road, they may quickly enter an auto-pilot-like state. This isn’t necessarily a danger to other drivers or pedestrians, but the individual might end up driving to the wrong location or missing an exit or turn. But some studies indicate that up to half of road accidents are the result of one or more parties not paying attention behind the wheel. 

    #4

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    firstnamerobb Report

    SuperChicken
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG! That's so funny! Thank goodness, I haven't done that. Yet...

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    #5

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    RashadShabazzz Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did this after I just moved into my house, picked up a takeaway and drove back to the old flat. I didn't realise until I tried to park the car in my old space.

    Tim
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Who is this jerk in my space?!"

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    GoGoPDX
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did something like this, but worse. I moved out of my hometown when I was 18. My parents ended up moving out of my childhood home to a different house about 3 years later. I came for a visit shortly after they moved. On autopilot I drove to my childhood home instead of my parents new house. I got out of the car, got my dog and bags, and went into the house (small town, people rarely locked their doors) I was confused when I walked into a completely different entry way than I was used too, and it honestly took me a moment to figure out this was not were I was supposed to be. At this point, the new owner walked in from the living room. We just started at each other for a minute until I started apologizing and explaining that this is my childhood home and I haven't been back to town since my parents moved and it just didn't click that I wasn't supposed to go there. Thankfully she was chill and laughed about it and thankfully I didn't get shot (my hometown is pretty right wing and there are a lot of people with guns)

    Widdershins66
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ooo, thankfully you weren't shot, Gogo! 💖 🤔 Off on a tangent: I believe that there are more guns than people in the US. Rabid gun ownership being a hangover from the pioneer "Cowboys versus Indians" mentality. And sadly US schoolchildren are reared never having the FREEDOM from fear of being shot. They have drills to prepare for mass shootings. So desparetly sad 🤬

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    thepinkrobot
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right after we moved, I gave directions to the person giving me a ride to my house which was 7 miles away then I was too embarrassed to say anything so i had to have someone else give me another ride home lol

    BoredPamda
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My boyfriend and I bought a new house a few exits down the highway from the old one. For the first few months, he would take the exit to the old house and then have to go straight through the traffic light to get back on the highway.

    Celtic Pirate Queen
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Right? And you just sit there like an idiot, asking yourself "WTF was I NOT thinking about" - driving, maybe?

    Dawnieangel76
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've driven towards my former job several times. I've been working at my current job for 7+ years.

    Liz Orreo trex ago go
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Page intentially left blank
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have missed the exit to my new house more than once because I was on autopilot going to my old house.

    EP
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t live far from my old house and it’s in the same direction so I found myself doing this often. Auto pilot.

    Kate Priestley
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Rodney. You don't live here no more!" My favourite Only Fools and Horses moment.

    Widdershins66
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's scary when drivers are on autopilot; that's when accidents can happen 🤷‍♀️

    Tim
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not that they aren't paying attention to the road, it's simply that "driving to work" or "driving home" becomes ingrained in your brain and every turn is just for rote, it's not a conscious decision.

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    Pheebs
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol. 6 months after I started my current job, I drove past my work place toward my old job that was about a mile down the road.

    Raccoon
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One time my dad did this when I was 10. We hadn’t lived there since I was two lol

    Suzy Creamcheese
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even worse is when you suddenly realize you're in your driveway and you have no memory of getting there.

    Widdershins66
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Yes, Suzy, inattentive dangerous driving.

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    Sarah SH
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A lot of times I’ve forgotten where I’m going while driving.

    Jane Hower
    Community Member
    2 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Or driving home when I MEANT to stop at the store first!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    #6

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    yunggarlicknot Report

    Serial pacifist
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When life gives you yellow paint, make some lemonade.

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    As people age, their mind tends to wander less, as researchers have found evidence that older adults are more conscientious than younger adults. This is directly linked with less mind-wandering, however, other personality traits can still influence how “present” or not a person is when doing a familiar task. For example, people with ADHD are more prone to spontaneous mind wandering.

    #7

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    CJS170896 Report

    SuperChicken
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So now, you have a water bed? I'll show myself out.

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    #8

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    netty0779 Report

    Pheonixvatoreii
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Am I the only one who finds it irritating when your glasses steam up, and then some person goes 'your glasses are steaming up!' No genius I just thought it was foggy inside!

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    #9

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    jonvandine Report

    Edgar Rops
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did that while talking on the phone. And the guy I was talking to was giving me tips where to look.

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    But this shouldn’t be construed to mean that one’s mind wandering is a sign of attention deficiencies in general. We spend almost a quarter of the time thinking about things that are completely unrelated to the task or situation in front of us. This is somewhat frightening, considering the amount of time we spend, driving, cooking with fire and knives, and other activities where even a minor slip-up can have grave consequences. 

    #10

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Bang_Noir89 Report

    #11

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    pompg Report

    James016
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He wanted you to get the hell out of his office ;)

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    #12

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    808Hal Report

    Brocken Blue
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh I feel this. My spouse and I had a bad round of Covid in March 2020 and were sick for months. Our tv remote was lost for 9 damn months afterwards and we *still* occasionally run into movies we 100% forgot we watched while sick.

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    Similar to mind-wandering, many people also have stories of general absent-mindedness. During this time, their body starts to do something automatically. These processes are called automatisms to reflect how the body performs them naturally. Interestingly, when we make a mistake during automation, we tend to blame the body part, not ourselves. So if you are daydreaming about a vacation while sorting papers and get a papercut, you might consider your hand, not your lapse in attention, responsible. 

    #14

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    LQQBS Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mum used to joke about having some idiot pull out in front of her and washing her windscreen at him. :D

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    #16

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    okamakhonjwa Report

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    #17

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Prostarr27 Report

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    #19

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Kyle__molloy Report

    ScarletRos
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don’t understand what happened here…

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    #21

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    slenderhomie Report

    Alexia
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Put my wallet in the fridge, along with the food. Desperately looked for the wallet for the next 40 minutes. Opened the fridge again to get a refreshing drink before staring to look again, and my wallet greeted me from behind the eggs box =)))

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    #22

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    pendrell_sa Report

    JoJo Anisko
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have read you Do. Not want to p**s off a stinkbug.

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    #23

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    ItsGabiMartin Report

    indiecognition
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes the toothbrush likes some cooking water for a change

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    #25

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    MilifeMyChoices Report

    SuperChicken
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When I used to wear contacts, sometimes I'd forget that I already took it out. So there I was pinching my eyes, trying to remove it.

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    #26

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    CruiseElvis Report

    Sara Dee
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You must be the bosses favorite, free labor yay!

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    #27

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    NYmovieGIRL Report

    FrostMoon Willow
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once put a plate in the fridge (empty plate) but I don’t remember doing it. Not really autopilot because I may have been having an absent seizure lol

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    #29

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    5hort5tuff Report

    Tiramisu
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Was it tracking all the calories the oven was burning?

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    #30

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    ttlogan1989 Report

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    #31

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    BenBassBeyond Report

    #32

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Plasmic_Saul Report

    JoJo Anisko
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do not take food into the bathroom. Ever.

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    #33

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    unlearn16tweet Report

    troufaki13
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm picturing your stomach giving you instructions "turn left, now right... aahh I see the arches! We are here! hehehe"

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    #34

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    amiem86 Report

    meowi.anne
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do this sort of thing regularly. Most of the time i forget what i just said and have to ask, "wait what did i just say"

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    #35

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Titos_714 Report

    JoJo Anisko
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well, if that wasn't a common occurrence, they wouldn't have built in the safety feature.

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    #36

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    DaRealVincentF1 Report

    JoJo Anisko
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does it get soggy faster? Might taste good, though.

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    #37

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Poppygrace1802 Report

    Dr
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You probably need to get out of your car and walk a little more often.

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    #38

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    Petranquila Report

    waddles
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    once i did this when i was slightly younger but it was on purpose i was trying to see what happened to the fridge light

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    #39

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    KOfficial03 Report

    meowi.anne
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once i put my remote in my purse and took it to work. Took me forever to find that damn remote later that night

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    #40

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    baber168 Report

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    #42

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    goessbo Report

    Thee8thsense
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While in high school, went two stops too far on the bus because I was zoned out.

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    #45

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    DanLeahy71 Report

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    #47

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    ThePeachNehi Report

    Magpie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And going to work.....at the old job.

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    #49

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    iiamaraii Report

    Firstname Lastname
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, they sell tubs of ketchup, like tubs of butter? Mine comes in a squeeze bottle.

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    #50

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    david_scahill Report

    SuperChicken
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Your clothes will now be milky soft. Ok, showing myself out.

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    #51

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    rickja_85 Report

    Nurichwersonst
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thats a psychic phenomenon and actually has a name but i really can't remember what it's called. 😅

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    #55

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    vandamme_95 Report

    #56

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    jrmckins Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why I only listen to the radio if I know I am alert. I'm terrified of zoning out at the wrong place and wrong time and having an accident.

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    #58

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    MeliannLew Report

    Andrew Roop
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The nj turnpike is not state long. Only the parkway goes all the way to the southern tip.

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    #60

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    dazzammm Report

    oktopus
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An electric kettle, presumably.

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    #62

    Weirdest-Things-People-Did-While-Brain-Autopilot

    PureChiLL Report