For over three years I’ve used the app ‘Block Apps & Sites | Wellbeing’ (hereafter referred to as ‘Block’) and it does exactly that: it blocks selected apps (and websites) for a certain time period and/or limits the time on them. Now, blocking apps are nothing new. However, I seldomly see people use them effectively. Over the the years I developed a system with ‘Block’, which works great for me and maybe for you as well. But what is it all about?
Stop the automated impulses
A few years ago I decided to install Instagram again. I enjoyed my time on there and I still do now. However, I did find myself very often opening the app uncontiously: First thing in the morning in the bathroom, in the bus when I got bored or when I got stuck solving an study exercise. These bad little automatisms sneaked their way into my life and the app ‘Block’ was not only a great way to stop them, but also allowed me to be more focused and more intentional with my time. It also made the time I did spend on social media much more enjoyable. But how did I do it exactly?
Own the morning
What bothered me most, was my new habit to open Instagram first thing in the morning. I don’t know what you think, but I believe it’s a good thing to be with your own thoughts for a moment right after waking up instead of getting bombarded with all kinds of impressions from social media. For that reason I purposefully block Instagram until 11 o’clock, which is also the earliest time I’d make lunch break.
In addition, I disable all kind of notifications with ‘Block’ (E-Mails, What’s App, etc.) until 3 PM. I do this because I’d like to act instead of react to things. If I choose to check my mails, fine. But it’ll be my contious decision to do so. By default, I block notifications of most apps. Why would I want to know if someone DM’d me on IG? Or why should I be notificated, when some responded to a YT comment I made? It’s best to do this in the Android settings themselves and not in the Apps.
Create space for deep work
This first step already creates some space for deep work. Usually, I do a different kind of deep work towards the evening (studying instead of working or some writing), which is why I have set another block from 5PM to 8PM (see the picture below). As a little extra boost I normally go do this in a library. Having other people around me doing their work, helps me do my work.
Limit screen time
In addition of having focused time periods, I do set a daily time limit for my social media usage. Honestly, I am not too strict with this one. My time is by default set for 50 minutes. The benefit of that is, if I open a monitored app during my “free time”, I get a little pop up message how much time I have left for the day. It is a constant reminder, that my time is valuable and I should no spend too much time on social media. Anywho, if I decide to spend a few more minutes on these apps I prolong the 50 minuts a little bit. At the beginning of the week I set it back to the usual 50 minute time mark.
Overall…
I highly recommend everyone to try ‘Block’. It might take you a while to find a system with appropriate time windows, which work for you, but it’ll be worth it. What’s also very neat is, you get a monthly report of your on screen time of different apps. Additionally, if you try to open an app during a blocked time period, you’ll see a random quote pop up. If I’m not completely surprised by own short-coming (which happens surprisingly often), I do find these quotes quite motivating.
Finally, this is not a sponsored post (we’re not there yet). However, I do say ‘Block’ is an app I do not t want to miss.
