I think that it's an artifact of how we store information, and it seems strongest in things that we rote memorize or only ever do within a particular context. I've been trying to 'train' myself out of this kind of thinking for a long time now, and I don't really consider it training since it's actually fairly fun to do.
The main way I do this is to look for things that are simple, and try to think of them in weird or interesting intersections with other simple things. Seeming simple is I think one of the marks of this kind of storage. So, try to play more with your environment, even if it is just mentally?
edit - Try to apply mental models to things that they're not normally used for too, and always try to be lazy! also edit for clarity, oops.
Edit - please disregard this post
Today I learned that you can toast marshmallows in the oven.
By "learned", I mean "I read a recipe which included as a step toasting marshmallows in the oven". I didn't have to try it out to realize that this would obviously work. It was plain as soon as I heard the idea. And it shouldn't have needed pointing out. I know how ovens work. I am familiar with the marshmallow species of food. I love roasted marshmallows while hating them in most other forms and often occurrently lament the difficulty of arranging open flames over which one may safely toast them. I routinely try new things in the kitchen to get results I want.
And yet I read it, and was surprised. And so were the people I reported this finding to. It needed pointing out.
What other facts need pointing out, although they are plain on inspection? What is the pattern behind these facts and a good way to find more?