How people remember you

An old colleague messaged me today about a memory he had of me. We haven't been in touch for a long time, so I was surprised at the message.

I enjoy dancing. The times when all of us went out after work, I'd let my hair down. It was my first job after graduation.

Our team was small, and most employee-manger rules didn't hold much sway outside of work. I wasn't expected to perform my respect or behave in the way someone in a corporate culture would.

People were real. The interactions, even at work, rarely felt mechanical. Most of my colleagues were older than me. They didn't need to remember me at all.

Another time, an acquaintance messaged me on Instagram one day. She remembered me because of an art page I used to regularly share content from.

Many of my friends keep in touch with me by sharing cow-content. I love getting pictures of cows from the places they travel to. I like being remembered for just being someone who likes cows.

From these disconnected instances of being remembered, I gather that it isn't the grand gestures or going out of my way to help someone that reminds them of me.

It's sharing the innocuous, mundane details of my personhood.

We may hesitate to share something inconsequential with our friends, family, or colleagues. We might wonder if it matters at all, but it's surprising to know the specific reasons people remember you for.

You might think to yourself, "oh! stop being boastful," and that'd be alright.

But wouldn't you cherish it too? If someone remembered you without you having to ask?