What I gained, what I lost, and what I didn't miss at all.
I took the watch off in November and it stayed off until last week. The reason was small — I had a wrist rash and wanted it to heal — but the consequences kept compounding. After two days I stopped checking my pulse for no reason. After a week I stopped reaching for my wrist when my phone buzzed. After a month I had no idea how I was sleeping, and I felt fine about it.
The thing watches are best at is anxiety delivery. Step counts, sleep scores, heart rate variability — none of it changed my behaviour, but all of it made me wonder if my behaviour was wrong. Six months without that ambient measurement was the most peaceful my brain has been in years.
What did I miss? Two things. The convenience of paying for coffee without taking my phone out, and the ability to silence my phone without looking at it. Both are real but small. I put the watch back on yesterday for a flight, and I'll see how long it stays.
