To reflect on the time
At my desk, I keep a simple plastic analog clock that has a manual day calendar feature. When I push the button on the top, the calendar advances from one weekday to the next. The days are abbreviated down to 3 letters each, "Mon", "Tues," Wed", and so on, rotating round and round. No digital components whatsoever; it's all mechanical.
One might find this feature of the clock to be inconvenient, but I like it. Just as the automated ticking of the clock keeps me aware of time's constant forward march, manually advancing the calendar provides me with opportunities to reflect on the time that has passed. I used to sit at my desk everyday, often for at least eight hours, mostly working, sometimes gaming, but not so much anymore, as I might exclaim on any given Monday, "Oh wow! Has it really been a week since I last used this computer?" Reflecting on the time lapses, I can see how much my priorities have changed, and how much my actions have come to be more in line with my priorities.
I always want to be more present. More aware. More mindful. More available and present for the people in my life. And I always want to spend more time outdoors, where I love to be, away from screens. So it's nice having that little bit of proof of my progress.
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