Prodding and Reaffirming

I’ve been toying with the idea of continuously wearing some kind of “smart” gadget that tracks basic things like heart rate and steps taken, and which allows me to stay connected to the world without having to pull my phone out of my pocket.

I’ve got an old Apple Watch that does some of what I need in this regard, but its battery doesn’t last long enough for me to use it all day, and while newer models look nice, I actually don’t like the feel of a watch continuously on my wrist; it’s a little chunky and cumbersome to wear all day.

I decided to try out an inexpensive fitness tracker, as while this product category doesn’t get a lot of love these days (they’ve mostly been subbed-out for smartwatches), a slimmer, lighter device seemed appealing, and the fact that I could wear it for several weeks without having to charge it was compelling for my intended use-case.

The one I got boasts a fair number of capabilities and a pretty decent screen, but I can also render it un-smart, having it silently capture basic data (heart rate, steps, blood oxygen level) and nothing more than that.

After several days of wearing it, I’ve realized that while the data-tracking thing is indeed great, I don’t actually need (or want) the smarter features built into such devices: I prefer an unobtrusive, subtle little wristband that does very little and which I often forget I’m wearing at all.

I like to check in with myself on these sorts of things periodically, as there’s a chance that at some point a pricier smartwatch (or other wearable device) will be exactly what I’ll need; I’ll want to be plugged in all day, every day, because my life will require it, or my state of mind will benefit from that kind of always-on connection.

At the moment, though, a persistent internet umbilical is not what I’m after: I like being able to focus uninterrupted, so a nicer smartwatch (with all its notifications and other whizbang features) would be a wasted investment for me.

I kind of already knew this about myself and my preferences, but I like to check my assumptions about what I want and need, from time to time, to see if they’re still relevant.

These sorts of little experiments help me prod my presumed norms, beliefs, and necessities, which in turn allows me to either reaffirm or discard my current priorities.

I’m pretty sure that focusing on freeing up time (so I can spend it however I want) and increasing my range future options (as opposed to focusing exclusively on earning more money) will make me happier, more fulfilled, and more productive than the alternative, for instance.

Unless I test that belief periodically, though, there’s a chance I’ll make important decisions and plans based on an outdated sense of who I am—wrongly assuming nothing has changed, and only realizing something’s different after I’ve invested in a life path that no longer makes sense for who I’ve become.

It wouldn’t be the end of the world to buy a gadget that’s overpowered (and overpriced) for the purpose to which I ultimately put it.

But this kind of self-understanding informs countless decisions we make everyday, and the cost of having to step back from pivotal but ill-informed work, relationship, or health-related decisions can be substantial.

If you enjoyed this essay, consider supporting my work by buying me a coffee or buying a book.





Recent Posts

  • Acceptance
  • Cognitive Overload
  • Another Year
  • Prodding and Reaffirming
  • Clearing the Way