Music · by Noé Petit · 2026-09-26

I tried doing playlists the boring way and it worked

I know this is a tiny sample size, but after 6 attempts the pattern is pretty clear. When I keep the setup simple, I actually follow through.

Would love to hear how other people handle this. I am especially curious about the version that works on a tired weekday, not just on an ideal Sunday.

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 conversation for a while.

The detail that surprised me was how much a neighborhood park changed the outcome. Same plan, different setting, completely different energy.

51 sparks · 14 comments

Comments

Noah Miller · 15 likes

Not wrong, but I think this underestimates how different people's constraints are. For me it came down to the setup.

Chiara Romano · 11 likes

This is the gentle version of my rant.

Mariam Said · 6 likes

Wonderful detail. It makes the whole thing feel real.

Youssef Mahmoud · 0 likes

Helpful correction.

Camila Rocha · 5 likes

I think the bad version of this advice causes a lot of frustration. The a trailhead detail changes the whole answer.

Kabir Khan · 4 likes

Can you share what you tried before this? Honestly, the simplest version wins for me.

Grace Parker · 3 likes

Helpful and not preachy, which is rare. I used to overcomplicate this constantly.

Oliver Smith · 1 likes

That is a good question for people with more experience than me. A little friction removed goes a long way.

Nima Ahmadi · 1 likes

I am mostly here for the follow-up. The 4-minute rule is underrated.

Lina Al Harbi · 1 likes

This has cozy competence written all over it. My friend tried it in Mumbai and had the opposite result. Sound design deserves more credit.

Cedar Fern · 0 likes

I would push back gently on the playlists part. That is where the boring checklist helps. I love when a recommendation comes with the right mood attached.

Rizky Pratama · 4 likes

Helpful correction.

Tanvir Rahman · 1 likes

This is the kind of disagreement I like.

Theo Bennett · 0 likes

I love this. It feels practical without pretending life is neat. I care less about the perfect answer and more about repeatability.