A day in the life : Day 450

This week, I ran into a small but persistent problem with eye strain. By late afternoon, my head felt heavy, and staring at the screen became harder than it should have been. Around the same time, I noticed an old trend making the rounds again — people switching back to paper to-do lists instead of keeping everything digital. Supposedly it reduces screen time and clears mental clutter. I didn’t expect much, but the timing felt right.

I tried it the next day. Nothing fancy — just a plain notebook and a pen. I wrote down the three things that actually mattered and left it at that. The first surprise was how often I reached for the notebook instead of opening another tab. It slowed me down in a good way. I still checked messages and emails, but the constant bouncing reduced.

There was a downside. I forgot to add one small task and remembered it late, which caused a short delay. That’s the risk with paper — it doesn’t remind you automatically. But once I added a quick habit of reviewing the list mid-day, that issue settled. The list stayed small and useful instead of turning into another dumping ground.

The weather’s been warmer again, and that usually makes screens feel harsher on the eyes. I’ve been drinking more water and eating lighter lunches, avoiding heavy food that adds to that sluggish feeling. Those small changes helped the headaches more than I expected.

By the end of the week, my days felt calmer. Not less busy — just less scattered. The paper list didn’t make me more productive in a dramatic way. It made me more deliberate.

This trend isn’t about nostalgia or rejecting tech. It’s about balance. When everything lives on a screen, the mind never really rests. Writing a few things down by hand gave my eyes — and my attention — a break. Sometimes stepping back to something simple is enough to move forward with less friction.