In a way, you can't do it wrong, as long as there's this wish to do it. I would suggest that you do it again next week, and the week after that. Just one time during the week, just sit and look. And, also, very interesting. Just make them real to you.
Story line is fine.
An experiment, but you keep pointing in the direction of trying to bring down the barriers, and you don't evaluate too much. On the other hand, you evaluate a little bit. You become more clear about what is causing the suffering to escalate, and what is causing it to de-escalate. You know what it feels like, you don't even have to give it a name.