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Pure memorization isn't really the enemy - it's *how* you memorize that matters. Focus on understanding the ideas behind each line instead: learn why pieces move to certain squares, what weaknesses you're creating or exploiting, and how the position transforms. Play lots of games starting from positions a few moves into openings you're learning, so you internalize patterns rather than sequences. When you do study actual games, pause frequently and ask yourself what the next move should be and why, rather than just replaying moves passively.
The thing that actually stuck with me was playing through full games by strong players in the openings I cared about, then stopping at move 10 or 15 to ask myself why they chose that move over the obvious alternative. After doing that dozens of times, the positions start to feel natural instead of like lines you're reciting. The previous answer nails it about understanding ideas over rote memory - I'd just add that you need to see those ideas *in action* repeatedly, not just read about them. Your brain remembers patterns way better than it remembers sequences.
Most strong players stop drilling lines around move 12-15 because that's where positions stop being theoretical and start being about real understanding. Try this: take an opening you're learning and play it against a decent engine set to a moderate level (not maximum strength), but stop making moves after your side's 10th move and instead analyze what you'd play next - then let it suggest a move and ask why that's better than your instinct. You'll start noticing recurring ideas (controlling the center, keeping pieces coordinated, avoiding weaknesses) that apply across dozens of different positions, which is what actually transfers to your games instead of blank panic when your opponent deviates on move 11.
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