ELI5: How can I do something every day for a year, and then randomly forget?

I can totally relate also. I used to use one of those monster programable xerox machines that did absolute everything in binding a print job except deliver a cup of coffee on top of your finished book. I programmed jobs daily on the touch screen from memory without needing to look at my options. I knew where all the options were for new jobs. I was Speedy Gonzalez on setting up jobs. Went on a weeks vacation and couldn't remember which button to push first when I got back. It would take me messing around until lunch to get back into my pre-vacation groove every time. It was like my brain said "fuck that we don't need that anymore!". What the heck is this phenomenon?

/r/explainlikeimfive Thread