Falling out of love with the Apple WatchComments

It didn't take much.

I used to wear the Apple Watch every day and used it for activity tracking, notifications and driving directions but I have fallen out of love with it.

When off sick for almost a month a while back (yes, four weeks all but a day) I had no real reason to wear it.

I was largely sedentary due to constant coughing and difficulty breathing so obviously wasn't tracking any activity. My phone and laptop were always on hand so I also didn't need to worry about notifications.

I just stopped putting it on in the mornings and have never gone back.

No doubt, much of the reason I wore it every day was habit - it was just part of my routine. Likewise, not wearing it became the new habit, the new norm.

I don't jog or go to the gym and tend to follow a similar pattern with regards to the number of steps I take so probably don't really need the watch to monitor this.

Having significantly reduced the number of apps installed on my phone, especially social apps, and consequently the number of notifications I receive the watch feels a bit redundant in this regard.

I know that if I made a point of wearing it again I would redevelop the habit, yet I can't think of a compelling reason to do so. There's no real killer app or function for me.

As such, it would be an empty habit with no real purpose and I'm not sure that's worth pursuing.

Falling out of love with the Apple Watch

Because always

So, in the majority of other things, we address circumstances not in accordance with the right assumptions, but mostly by following wretched habit - Musonius Rufus.

Today's Daily Stoic meditation began as above, and the added commentary reminded me of this Write365 post:

Because always

There is an amazing hypocrisy in the actions of some. They complain when things don't change, when suggestions are made but passed over, when they feel they are being ignored.

They complain that things are stuck in a rut, that things are done because that's the way it has always been.

However, when reorganisations are made and new management is introduced an overwhelming cynicism prevents them from accepting that change can occur. So, when that new management says that processes will be re-examined and re-evaluated, that things won't be done just because that's the way it always has been, the very same people get defensive.

Better the devil you know?

No one likes change for the sake of it but when genuine change is introduced to improve process a fear kicks in - a fear of that change.

Those previously criticising existing process suddenly defend it, argue against the new ideas, claim that introducing them will be a mistake.

Their argument for doing so? Because this is the way we've always done it!

They can't have it both ways.

Some people get stuck in the same old rut but mistake it for a fond familiarity; they bury themselves so deeply within their comfort zone that they have forgotten how it feels to be outside, to be tested, to have to think for themselves.

No amount of justification can persuade them that change is good, change is an improvement, change is vital.

They just don't listen.

They feel threatened, under attack as if their integrity and work ethic are being questioned. They feel that they are not trusted to do their jobs - how could they be if someone wants to change things?

So, the question becomes: how do you break down that wall? How do you shine a new light into the darkness?

Because it's always been that way is neither a justification nor a defence.

Write365 - 7th October 2014

Further thoughts

"How many psychiatrists does it take to change a lightbulb? Only one, but it's really got to want to change"

It may be a silly old joke but many a true word is said in jest. People must want to change and, if they are unsure, that change must be sold effectively.

We demand good reason to change our habits but should always be open to doing so. If we never try a different way we miss out on new experiences and the possibility of finding a better path.

Perhaps a proposed change, even fully embraced, does not provide the expected benefits but we won't know unless we try. We lose little but gain affirmation, surety, the knowledge that we are doing things the best way we can.

And that is all we can hope for.

Because always