I’d also consider “volume quotas”.

I’ll assume that the show creators have a set format/time per episode. Recaps are a “good” way to have filler time, meeting the target episode’s length without too much additional effort.

Personally, i feel like the recaps are somewhat of a spoiler to the episode. Usually these recaps are aimed at reminding you of things that you will need/want for the current episode (e.g. who was that character?). If you do remember the previous episode, these edits almost spell out what parts of the plot will be developed in the current episode.

I’d appreciate a solution like the one @vinny_93 mentioned, where the recaps exist, but I can skip them on demand.

Since the calendar has already been mentioned, I’ll drop another of my tools.

I check my pockets every time I leave a space, and confirm I’ve got Wallet, Keys, Phone. I do this at any transition: Leaving the house, a taxi, the office, a plane.

Got kick started into the habit when I lost a big (for a kid) chunk of money. Felt so bad that I started the checks, and haven’t lost any of those three in many, many years (ง’̀-‘́)ง