Today I Learned · by Jack Taylor · 2026-09-17
What culture looks like when you stop optimizing everything in Cairo
This is probably obvious to veterans here, but it clicked for me only recently. history got easier when I stopped treating every attempt like a final exam.
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 Jakarta with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan.
My current rule is simple: if it takes less than 9 minutes to prepare, I am much more likely to keep doing it.
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 Jakarta with a friend and we both noticed the same thing: the social part mattered more than the perfect plan.
My current rule is simple: if it takes less than 9 minutes to prepare, I am much more likely to keep doing it.
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