Analog experiment log

Sunday 2/8

Instead of running with podcast, I switched to music so my mind didn’t need to work while running. No information needed to be absorbed.

I didn’t check oura and I felt more energetic than the day before, as if a cloud has opened up. (actual oura readiness: 73)

I left the phone in do not disturb mode and didn’t check until 4pm when it was close to my massage therapist arrival time. Was I worried to miss any notification? not really because everyone was at home.

On free time, I read in bed, in couch. When cooking, I listened to the sound of pots. On meal time, I chatted with husband.

Before bed, I did 15 min foam rolling with piano as background music. I am starting to enjoy the “pain”, even miss it when I don’t do it.

Monday 2/9

I meditated with YouTube episode for 10 min. Didn’t open oura to track anything.

I parked my phone in my office desk with do not disturb, only allowing WeChat in case husband text me I left it there when I went to meetings.

I went out for lunch with my colleagues, followed by standing coffee chat at our coffee room. One of them said: this was a nice lunch break. I agree.

On uber to my Physio, I didn’t take out my phone, I just watched out the window to rest my mind.

I got home past 6pm, ate leftovers while making some eggs for the girls, ate dinner alone with the cat and the recipe book I am trying to go through.

It was 7:36pm when everything was done, I felt my mind is not settled yet for the night so I went out for a 15 min walk without the phone.

8:15pm, in bed, with kindle, read two chapters and felt ready to go to sleep.

Let’s see how long will it take for me to forget the phone somewhere.

Tuesday 2/10

I realized during the day being analog (phone mostly) was rather easy as I sit in front of computer for work, have meetings, or hang out with my colleagues. The tricky/testing moment is when I ride uber back home alone and after I get home. I am glad that today I again let my mind free during car ride.

I got home 5pm. I changed, clean my face, did 6 min light therapy mask, then I went to prepare salmon for the family dinner. I ate with a physical book while sun went down, beautiful sunset.

Once the family arrived, I sit with the girls while they ate, talking about their day, rushing Lizzy to eat fast as she had piano theory class. While she had class, I did 30 min foam rolling, oh…. I am really started to love it! Then I ate some rices cake a hot chocolate, to avoid going to bed with slight hunger. I accompanied Lizzy while she played piano with my kindle.

7:30pm, I told her, I’m going to get ready for bed. I brushed my teeth, add facial oil to end the last step of skincare, and went to bed to continue to read.

8:15pm, both girls came to bed to say goodnight and I fell asleep around 8:30pm.

Not cluttering my mind with content even if they are useful and inspiring at the time, feels gentle care to my soul.

Wednesday 2/11

It was a stressful day as I had a big presentation at 3pm. Yet, it got a shocking news at 11am and couldn’t wrap my head around it. I had to vent out to my husband and two friends that I trust. They assured me that indeed it was shocking, maddening but I had to just let it go and be more careful going forward.

The presentation went well and I got home almost 6pm, still quite wired.

I should pad my back that despite having a stressful day, I sticked to reading (either physical or kindle books) to calm my mind.

I could have done stretching but I didn’t.

Holding Lizzy’s chubby arms, squishy even, was the most soothing thing of the day Holding her, feeling her attachment and not wanting to let go, made everything else worth it.

Thursday 2/12

It was another packed day with presentations and meetings. I was relieved when it all ended, for good or bad. I felt exhausted physically when I got home, 5:30pm. I prepared a dish for girls dinner in silent. I ate with a book alone during sunset. When they got home, I sit with them as they ate their dinner. Then when they played piano, I went to do stretching and foam rolling. So many sore spots, I almost started to sweat out of the team, but it felt good.

I made a hot chocolate with cashew milk and went to my room 7:30pm, enjoyed reading 2 chapters before lizzy came for some hugging time. 8:15pm I was ready to fall into sleep.

I am glad I’m doing this experiment this week as it has been a stressful week in many front, so it helped that I didn’t add additional mental trash into it, but deliberately created space for it to breath.

Friday 2/13

I woke up feeling more tired than usual and I know why. The week of presentations and meetings has taken a toll on me so I am ready for a rest day. I felt sleepy in the morning. Did gentle 30 min yoga before working at home.

I went for couple massage with husband followed by lunch at the lake, to celebrate valentines. I also made this poster which turned out to be fun.

I had my phone in the bag the whole time, checking mail box every few hours in case something urgent came up.

I got home 4:30pm after dentist appointment. I had 2 hours by myself before the family arrives. I prepared their dinner, made a new batch of soup to freeze (loving having a warm bowl of soup ready for me anytime I need some coziness). This batch had onion, carrot, sweet potato (main ingredient and key to make a comforting soup), zucchini, red lentils (another key), salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, nutritional yeast, and after blending half batch, added leftover frozen veggies. I had a bowl while reading, just remember to take a pic almost at the end. I think my experiment is working as I start to forget where my phone is.

I also made a new batch of banana cake, always need a sweet treat in the fridge.

Family got back 6:45pm. I sit with them, then I went to bed 7:30pm with my hot chocolate, getting ready for bed. I know… super early but that’s what my body, my relaxed body, wanted.

8:15pm I told the girls I’ll go to sleep now.

Key lessons:

• While I tracked how I felt physically and emotionally everyday and my guess of oura readiness, the correlation was low. Most of the days I felt good or okay but readiness remains to be below 80s. This tells me that if I don’t see it, I could feel better as it wouldn’t add to my emotional stress.
• Leaving plenty of empty space helped tremendously with anxiety, the feeling of being wired. Despite being a stressful work week, I remained mostly calmed and found way to unwind without device.
• I had more time to read, either books or long form articles that I chose, not pushed to me. I subscribe to sub stacks so it’s that I don’t read news or digital content, but rather I am choosing what to read.

Going forward:

• I will continue not to use social media during the week. I may check instagram over the weekend on desktop, but not on my phone.
• I will allow for calming music when cooking when I am in a calm state. If I am already wired, silence is the best remedy.
• I will continue to aim either stretching/foam rolling before bed time. It feels good and nice transition to bed.