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 · 8 comments

Comments

Isha Menon · 11 likes

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

Valentina Ruiz · 7 likes

Fair pushback.

Ethan Brooks · 1 likes

That is fair, but I still worry about maintenance.

Mina Chowdhury · 5 likes

Honestly, great taste. The the kitchen detail changes the whole answer.

Ananya Rao · 2 likes

This is adorable and oddly motivating. This is more useful on a tired 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 than Lisbon? I would write it down before changing anything else. I needed this reminder today.