Why I Brought Back the Watch
Why I brought a smartwatch back into my life after 5 years—this time as a mindful extension of my paper journaling practice, not a digital leash.
There was a time when I ditched my smartwatch.
It felt like just another distraction device—constantly buzzing, tempting me to look, pulling me out of the moment. I didn’t know how to make it serve me, so I sold it and moved on.
Five years passed. And then, about six months ago, I bought another one.
This time, with a clear purpose.
You can also watch the video:
Reintroducing the Watch—On My Terms
This wasn’t about tracking steps or checking notifications.
It was about supporting my intentional journaling routine. If you’ve been following my content, you know I use a habit-tracking app I built myself. Inside that app lives one of my core daily practices: reflection.
One part of that practice is choosing a daily mood, which I log every evening. But the watch plays a much deeper role than mood tracking alone.
A Tool for Capturing—Not Distracting
My smartwatch now acts as a digital notepad for quick offloads when I’m away from my paper journal. Instead of holding thoughts in my head or pulling out my phone, I record voice memos directly from my wrist.
When I return to my journal later, I rewrite what matters—filtering what’s relevant, discarding what’s not. This second pass helps me stay grounded and intentional, without letting random thoughts pile up in the background of my mind.
Beyond Reflection: Micro-Tracking with Intention
My watch also helps me:
Track habits without opening an app
Log moods in real time
Capture expenses quickly, without my phone
In a way, it frees me from my phone by giving me just enough functionality—without the rabbit holes. That makes it a powerful tool for someone like me (and maybe you too) who values tech independence.
The Watch as an Extension
I now see my smartwatch as an extension of my journaling routine
It bridges the gap between my analog system and the digital world. It helps me collect thoughts and insights I might otherwise lose, which I later refine and reflect on in my paper journal.
Most importantly, it fits within my intentional tech philosophy. It’s not a necessity. It’s not always connected. I choose when it’s useful—and when it’s time to disconnect.