I Don't Have a Big 2026 Story

I do not have one of those rosy and glamorous stories that everything I wanted in 2026 happened. Nothing dramatic that changed me to become a different person. And if anyone tries to ask me for the biggest things that happened to me this year thus far, I might have to think and visit memories before I give a specific response. Yet, strangely, this year is not one of those years that I can easily forget because a lot has happened, but I just need to be thankful and grateful everyday and always.

Without my permission or unconsciously, my phone has been keeping a diary. There are some pictures I have on my gallery and never checked since then, screenshots of stuff I planned to check and go over, messages I have not replied to, and pictures of meals and places that I cannot even remember eating and visiting. And somewhere in-between those things are just some random moments, workdays, some conversations with friends, and some moments that I can really discard when they happen.

I kind of noticed something slightly uncomfortable looking back through them; I can remember some events that happened better than I remember how I really felt during those events. I can remember pictures I took but not always recall what I was thinking while standing or taking those pictures. I can remember someone's face but might have forgotten where we first met or the type of conversation we had that made me take the photograph.

Perhaps, I feel that might be the things I will misremember about this year. I will probably forget those things I lose the quiet parts and remember those things that looked important.

I will remember the works that gave me a tough time and forget the hours I spent staring at my screen before getting it done. I will remember some of the events and outings I went for and those I skipped on purpose, but forget the ordinary evenings when I simply came home, ate, and replied to some important messages and maybe slept too.
When this time that I am thinking about the last days of this year, I don't want to put the year into one big story because maybe it never belongs to one.

And now, the year still remains two months plus some days to end, which I am looking forward to, but not with a long list of promises I made for myself. But I just want to mostly to be present in the remaining days. There are some discussions I am yet to have, places I want to visit, ideas that I want to execute, and some random casual days I have not yet realized I will miss.

And maybe years from today, my phone might still be keeping that evidence for me. Those random pictures, the voice notes I am yet to play, and those screenshots I planned to attend to later. And I may look at it and think, I remember this. Then I wonder what else I cannot remember without knowing.

Thank you for reading.

_{Images created by Gemini AI}