Chapter 1: The Rise of Tracking Tools

In today's world focused on self-enhancement, various platforms like blogs, books, YouTube, and vibrant Instagram posts are flourishing. One particularly popular trend is the use of measuring tools. From pedometers on smartphones to heart rate monitors and sleep trackers on smartwatches, there is an abundance of applications designed to log everything from food intake to daily word counts.

This leads me to ponder: do we perceive things as real if they remain unmeasured?

> I’m not an academic philosopher, nor am I here to engage in deep philosophical debates. Instead, I find myself questioning how genuine our perceptions of reality are if they lack documentation.

Section 1.1: The Power of Measurement

Measurement itself serves as an invaluable instrument. Personally, I often misjudge the time I allocate to various tasks. For instance, after acquiring a Fitbit, I learned that my daily step count was significantly lower than I had imagined, especially on work-from-home days when I sometimes only managed 2,000 steps. Furthermore, tracking my meals revealed that my protein and fiber intake was lacking, and yes, I was indulging a bit too frequently.

Gaining insights into our habits can be incredibly beneficial, particularly when striving to establish healthier routines. However, there is a potential downside: it can become all-consuming, largely due to the social aspects of many tracking applications.

While having a digital running partner or seeing friends' healthy choices can be motivating, there are times when it feels like your accomplishments are invalidated if they aren't recorded. The humor in the saying that something isn’t real until it’s on Facebook underscores a troubling notion: our positive habits seem to lose significance if they aren't documented somewhere, which seems rather toxic.

Subsection 1.1.1: Benefits of Tracking

Chapter 2: Breaking Free from Tracking

The first video, Do electrons exist when not observed? featuring Lisa Randall and Lex Fridman, delves into the nature of observation in quantum physics, prompting viewers to question the reality of existence without measurement.

The second video, What is Quantum Mechanics Really Trying to Tell us about Reality? with Sabine Hossenfelder, explores the deeper implications of quantum mechanics on our understanding of reality, providing insights that resonate with the theme of measurement.

At one point, I decided to stop sharing my progress on social media. It began to feel as though my accomplishments didn't count unless I posted about them. Eventually, I removed all my tracking applications and said farewell to my Fitbit.

Having relied on automatic tracking for a while, I now feel capable of making healthy choices independently. I’ve learned to listen to my body and trust my instincts. This journey has led me to a better understanding of my own needs, which I had neglected.

Letting go of tracking was a strange experience, almost as if I believed I couldn't lead a fulfilling life without it. However, I recognized that the act of tracking should not be the ultimate goal. It’s not solely about measurement; it’s about progress. Every workout, every nutritious meal I didn’t document, and every restful night’s sleep are all significant.

Indeed, things can be real even when not quantified. While measurement can be a helpful tool in achieving goals, it must not become an obsession or a source of anxiety. Ultimately, it should contribute to your happiness.

What aspects of your life do you choose not to measure anymore?

Hi! I’m Ingelise de Vries, a journalist and (copy)writer from The Netherlands. Being Dutch, I welcome any corrections to this piece. Feel free to reach out via [email protected].

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