@sanpan That's being a bit harsh on yourself. It's just a different way to experience and a different way to remember. I most value photography because it gets me out into the world in the first place. Otherwise my life would exist mostly on the keyboard :)
In some ways the photos taint my memory, creating a stronger anchor that replace those original memories. The photo becomes the memory if you will. Sometimes that is good, but may not be good always.
So my strongest memories are mostly of those things I captured with the camera. I still have other "photos" in my mind of course. And younger me didn't take so many photos either.
But my brain is a visual machine, and when I capture things with a camera it feels like an extension of my hands. We work together, like a dancer moving to the music.