When setting up my Waybar, I started thinking about the small things that might impact my daily mental load. One question that came up was about the placement of the clock. Traditionally, status bars have the clock on the right side. But what if I moved it to the center?
The Cognitive Impact of Glance Direction
We often overlook how small, repetitive actions can add up over time. Every time you check the time and your clock is on the right, your eyes have to shift. This might seem trivial, but frequent shifts can contribute to mental fatigue. By placing the clock in the center, I reduce the need for these lateral eye movements, potentially easing some mental strain.
Evaluating Widget Necessity
Another aspect I considered was the number of widgets I had. Each widget, while potentially useful, adds to the visual complexity of the screen. I asked myself:
- How often do I actually check the time?
- Which widgets are truly essential?
By removing unnecessary widgets, I aimed to simplify my workspace, reducing the cognitive load required to process information.
Practical Steps
Here’s what I did:
- Moved the clock to the center of my Waybar configuration.
- Tracked how frequently I glanced at the time.
- Reviewed each widget and removed those I rarely used.
These small adjustments have made my workspace feel less cluttered and more focused. It’s a reminder that even minor changes in our digital environment can have a noticeable impact on our mental energy.
TakeAways
- 📌 Centralizing the clock in Waybar may offer ergonomic benefits.
- Reduces frequent right-side glances.
- Potentially minimizes mental strain.
- 💡 Right-side glances can contribute to mental fatigue over time.
- 🔍 Individual time-checking habits vary; excessive widget use can overload cognitive processing.
Thoughts
- ⏰ Central Clock: May improve focus by reducing lateral eye movements.
- 👁️ Right-Side Focus: Frequent right-side glances can contribute to mental fatigue.
- 🧠 Cognitive Load: Excessive widgets can overload cognitive processing.
- 🔄 Customization: Tailor Waybar to your specific needs and usage patterns.
- 💡 Simplification: A minimalist status bar can enhance focus and reduce distractions.
Related
- Ergonomics of Computer Use - General ergonomic principles.
- Cognitive Load Theory - Understanding cognitive load.