I’m a pretty good typist. I sometimes joke that since I can’t sing or dance, it’s probably my only skill that I could perform in a talent show (not that I’ll ever be in one). I tell my kids that typing is the most important class I took in high school, noting quietly to myself that they started learning the skill in first grade. Oh, how the world has changed.

But these days, the synapses that I formed by repeatedly typing, “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” under the watchful eye of the unsmiling Mrs. Booth, are shorting out. Although I’ve been developing and strengthening the muscle memory between my fingers and brain for decades, I find my typing reflexes are being sorely tested. The problem? I have too many – and too many different — keyboards.

Here’s the current tally: my laptop keyboard, a full-size desktop keyboard, an iPad screen (for typing in both landscape and portrait view), an attachable iPad keyboard, and my iPhone (again, both landscape and portrait view). That’s seven variations on the traditional theme. No wonder my brain is confused.

When I use my laptop and or a full-size keyboard, I employ the official five-finger technique that would make Mrs. Booth proud. I try to stick with the same system on the smaller iPad keyboard, but often my fingers feel squished and seem to fight over the keys. When I’m typing on the iPad (choosing between landscape or portrait view), I resort to the “hunt and peck” approach, using between two and eight fingers to strike the on-screen “keys.” If I’m texting on my phone, I tap out a message with either my right index finger (portrait view) or both my thumbs (landscape).

Whew.

All these typing techniques are making my brain feel addled. As I find myself stopping to think – and search – for the exclamation point or semi-colon key, my confidence in my typing skills is starting to wane. An action/reaction that was once as instinctive and effortless as breathing now leaves me gasping.

I’m sure my kids will never face this problem. After all, the synapses in their young brains are being wired to move easily and efficiently between keyboards of all shapes and sizes. Their mental muscles will not suddenly seize when searching for a question mark or the pound key. For my part, I’ll keep on doing the best I can on whatever keyboard I’m using – unless, of course, my fingers stumble upon my new favorite button: The microphone.