Personal Reflections: From Diary to Data

A few years ago, I kept a diary to record my daily life. I wrote in it to express my thoughts, perhaps as an outlet for my youthful passions. Sometimes, I spoke to myself in joyous tones, sharing my happiness and excitement. In other moments, my words dripped with sadness, addressing my heartaches and disappointments.

I seldom delved into the mundane details of my life. My daily routines were so predictable and familiar that there was little interesting to note. But even when the days seemed empty, my emotions were so intense that they couldn't be ignored. Writing became a calming ritual, a way to process the pressures of daily life.

Now that my youthful passions have waned and time has passed, I no longer keep a diary. The emotions that once drove me are a relic of the past, slipping away with age and time. My current practice is to record my daily chores, no matter how trivial they may seem. I view these entries as snapshots of life, giving me a chance to reflect on the tangible facts of my day.

However, reflecting on past experiences brings a different kind of feeling. When I try to recapture the details of my past, I often fail. My memories are scattered and distant, making it hard to grasp any specific details. The past feels almost nonexistent, a haunting realization that I have little to anchor myself to. I have the present and the recent past, but nothing to hold onto from before. There's no evidence of my existence, no personal history, as most of it has faded away.

This realization is terrifying. It feels as though I haven't truly lived if I have no clear memory of my past. So, I've adapted my process. Now, I record my life using an Excel sheet. I've structured my life into several categories, each serving as a heading. Whenever I sit down to record my day, I reflect on these categories and jot down what I did. I give myself just 15 minutes to complete this exercise. Dwelling too long creates unnecessary pressure and makes the process feel overwhelming.

I hope to keep documenting my life this way from now until the very end. It's a way to ensure that I have a clear record of my journey, to provide a foundation for future generations or myself in the future. I want to capture the essence of who I am, the moments that shaped me, and the life I've led.