Orbit · Explore

Today I Learned · by Yasmine El Amrani · 2026-10-09

My 9-month experiment with science

part of me wanted the fancy version with all the tools. The better version was boring: one notebook, one reminder, and a willingness to be clumsy with the prototype for a while.

The detail that surprised me was how much the train station changed the outcome. Same plan, different setting, completely different energy.

I know this is a tiny sample size, but after 8 attempts the pattern is pretty clear. When I keep the setup simple, I actually follow through.

I tried this in Melbourne with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan

56 sparks · 7 comments

Comments

Isha Menon · 11 likes

Beautifully put. I needed that reminder today. I noticed the same thing in Cairo

Ethan Brooks · 1 likes

that is fair, but I still worry about maintenance

Mina Chowdhury · 5 likes

Honestly, I like this approach.

Ananya Rao · 2 likes

This is oddly motivating. Seems more useful during a busy month than on a perfect day.

Yasmine El Amrani · 1 likes

Now I want a spreadsheet

Omar Hassan · 2 likes

This is the kind of useful internet I still show up for. I would write it down before changing anything else

Jack Taylor · 0 likes

Do you think this would work in a smaller place? I'd write it down before changing anything else. Needed this reminder.