In the past I have been using iCloud to manage my passwords, but since gmail was my primary, I had the password for many years, I was able to remember it, didn't think it was necessary to use keep this particular account in iCloud. Then 2FA was introduced then forced on my account, I was also forced to change my password because Google was tightening its security (I don't remember exactly), I think that's when it went wrong. The funny thing with Google is that the recovery option should be my phone, somehow it is not enough for Google.
In the past I have been using iCloud to manage my passwords, but since gmail was my primary, I had the password for many years, I was able to remember it, didn't think it was necessary to use keep this particular account in iCloud. Then 2FA was introduced then forced on my account, I was also forced to change my password because Google was tightening its security (I don't remember exactly), I think that's when it went wrong. The funny thing with Google is that the recovery option should be my phone, somehow it is not enough for Google.
Now I would absolutely use a password manager.