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Ten Years of Logging My Life (chaidarun.com)

452 points by artnc · 1728 days ago · 156 comments on HN

Article summary

The author has been logging their daily activities for over 10 years, resulting in a dataset of over 85,000 entries. They initially used a spreadsheet, but later developed their own Android app, Chronofile, to streamline the process. The author reflects on the insights gained from this data, including their sleep patterns, productivity, and hobbies. They also discuss the benefits of tracking their activities, such as increased self-awareness and improved time management.

Main themes

  • self-tracking
  • productivity
  • time management
  • data analysis
  • privacy
  • personal development

What commenters say

  • Manual logging of activities can be time-consuming, but it provides more precise data than automated methods.
  • The act of recording data can have a noticeable impact on behavior and self-control.
  • There are various tools and methods available for tracking daily activities, including text files, spreadsheets, and specialized apps.
  • Some people find it useful to track their activities to identify patterns and correlations, while others see it as an invasion of privacy or a waste of time.
  • Tracking sex life or other personal aspects may be considered taboo or private, and not worth including in public logs.
  • The benefits of tracking activities include increased productivity, better time management, and improved self-awareness, but may also lead to burnout or an unhealthy obsession with data.
  • The quality of time spent on an activity is more important than the quantity, and tracking activities can help individuals prioritize their time more effectively.