Decap CMS is good

We spend an absurd amount of time trying to eliminate friction from our daily lives.

We buy one-click purchasing devices, set up automated macro flows, optimize our morning routines down to the second, and install browser extensions to skip video intros. The modern design ideal is simple: zero resistance between desire and execution.

But lately, I've been experimenting with a counter-intuitive practice: adding intentional friction back into my day.

Why Smooth Isn't Always Better

When you remove every obstacle between yourself and an action, you don't just eliminate effort—you eliminate the pause. And that pause is usually where critical thinking, intent, and self-awareness live.

Without friction:

You open a tab to look up a terminal command and wake up 45 minutes later on a Wikipedia rabbit hole about 18th-century maritime logistics.
You buy a niche gadget because it took two taps on a screen, only to wonder three days later why it exists on your desk.
You send a reactive reply to a message before your brain finishes processing how you actually feel about it.

Friction acts as a natural speed bump for your subconscious.

Three Ways to Add Useful Resistance

You don't need to throw your computer out the window to benefit from this. Micro-interventions work best:

The 10-Second Physical Barrier Keep the things you want to reduce slightly out of reach. Put your primary distraction device in another room, or log out of social accounts after every session. Forcing yourself to physically stand up or manually type a 16-character password creates just enough time to ask: "Do I actually want to do this right now?"
Manual First, Automated Second Before scripting a task or deploying a tool to handle a process automatically, do it manually for a month. Understanding the raw, un-automated steps keeps you grounded in how the system actually functions under the hood.
Analog Captures Try writing quick ideas, daily task lists, or meeting notes on a physical index card or notebook before moving them into a digital system. The physical constraint of paper forces ruthless prioritization—you can't paste 50 items onto an 3x5 card.

The Outcome

Adding friction isn't about being slow for the sake of it. It's about ensuring that when you move fast, you're actually heading in a direction you chose—rather than just sliding down the path of least resistance.

Next time you find yourself optimizing a routine, ask yourself: Is this obstacle slowing me down, or is it keeping me honest?