I have been loving the scheduled summary feature where it basically holds and compiles all my notifications for two set times per day (I have mine set for 10am which is around when I walk my dog and 6pm which is right around when I start cooking dinner) and it’s like a perfect little digest summary of everything as I have a personal assistant pulling it together for me — very chic imo. I even put texts in there because it keeps more intentional about responding and less likely to leave my friends on read
I only know how to do this for iPhone but basically go to settings —> notifications and below the “display as” section there should be a subsection called “scheduled summary”; click into that to turn on that feature, and you can create as many summary times as youd like (it defaults to 2 to start but you can add more). Pick the times work for your schedule, and then you flip on which apps are featured in your summaries, so for me, I have Substack, messages, emails, Indyx, LinkedIn, etc in mine. Hopefully that makes sense???
The first time I saw brick, I was like “wow, that must just be a fancy nfc tag” and guess what, it is! You can buy those puppies for cents. The app Foqos allows you to set certain apps to disable when you’ve tapped certain nfc tags, so I have one at my door and beside my bed. Alas, I’ve now just deleted social media and it’s solved most of my problems, but this worked well before
Another focus hack that can be especially helpful for neurodivergent folks is to set your screen to black and white when your work focus is on via the color filters setting! This helps me leave my phone alone so much since it’s not lighting up with bright colors. I find it also weirdly soothing or calming since it’s a lower level of stimulation.
Just changing my screen to black and white has been life changing! We don't realize how much the colors effect our non-stop scrolling. (And I can always switch it off to view an image when needed!)
I just want to add that if you want to go further, you can REMOVE the BROWSER from your smart phone. This has made the biggest difference for me.
Without a browser (and no social media, email, or news apps on my phone) there is very little scrolling I can do. But my phone still navigates, makes calls, texts, takes photos, and plays audiobooks and music.
I do find myself searching for scrolly dopamine by looking at old photos or reading google maps reviews... but otherwise this has been great. I can find most phone numbers in google maps and I am rarely truly in a bind without a browser.
1. Delete any browser other than Safari.
2. Open settings and choose screen time
3. Content & Privacy Settings
4. Allowed Apps & Features
5. Toggle Safari off.
It takes enough steps that I only restore it if I'm really in a bind and need internet, never just to scroll.
This makes the biggest difference for me! Even after having no social media for years and no mail, it’s amazing what a time suck safari can be. GIVE ME ALL THE INFORMATION FOR NO REASON.
My biggest hurdle is when I have to un-restrict it to scan a QR code or something and then forget to toggle it back off and fall back into the hole!
Something I found really helpful was downloading Beeper. I’d been trying to find a way to have my IG DM’s on my phone but not that app itself - because I don’t want to spend time on social media but I do have people who DM me about jobs on there. Beeper allows your messages to all be in one place (I have my WhatsApp, IG and LinkedIn) which means that I don’t have to have the IG app on my phone. It also has the option to integrate a bunch of other messaging apps that I don’t use (slack, fb messenger, telegram, X, signal, discord, google chat).
The only downsides I’ve found is that you can’t sync up texts/iMessages - which isn’t a problem for me because I mainly use WhatsApp but can see how it would be annoying to other people. You also have to pay extra to turn off read receipts which is a bit annoying because I’ve had mine off on WhatsApp for years.
I have a version of this AND a brick. I’ve found the combination to be helpful. Since many events are only posted on instagram I unbrick my phone while I’m out with friends and brick it when I’m home.
It feels like meds & therapy- they work well together 😂
I have been loving the scheduled summary feature where it basically holds and compiles all my notifications for two set times per day (I have mine set for 10am which is around when I walk my dog and 6pm which is right around when I start cooking dinner) and it’s like a perfect little digest summary of everything as I have a personal assistant pulling it together for me — very chic imo. I even put texts in there because it keeps more intentional about responding and less likely to leave my friends on read
Ohhhhh THIS I must try. Thank you for sharing!
This is genius!! How did you do this?
I only know how to do this for iPhone but basically go to settings —> notifications and below the “display as” section there should be a subsection called “scheduled summary”; click into that to turn on that feature, and you can create as many summary times as youd like (it defaults to 2 to start but you can add more). Pick the times work for your schedule, and then you flip on which apps are featured in your summaries, so for me, I have Substack, messages, emails, Indyx, LinkedIn, etc in mine. Hopefully that makes sense???
Yes, I didn’t even know the iPhone could that. Thank you!!!😊🩵
happy to help 🥰
i love this and i also love my brick!
Anything that gets us off of our phones is worth loving
agreed!!
The first time I saw brick, I was like “wow, that must just be a fancy nfc tag” and guess what, it is! You can buy those puppies for cents. The app Foqos allows you to set certain apps to disable when you’ve tapped certain nfc tags, so I have one at my door and beside my bed. Alas, I’ve now just deleted social media and it’s solved most of my problems, but this worked well before
I was off of social for two years and it was the best. Looking forward to returning to the shores of sanity in the future.
It feels like such a huge thing until it’s not! Thank you for your piece <3
Another focus hack that can be especially helpful for neurodivergent folks is to set your screen to black and white when your work focus is on via the color filters setting! This helps me leave my phone alone so much since it’s not lighting up with bright colors. I find it also weirdly soothing or calming since it’s a lower level of stimulation.
If I didn’t have to review social media assets for work, I would do this!
Just changing my screen to black and white has been life changing! We don't realize how much the colors effect our non-stop scrolling. (And I can always switch it off to view an image when needed!)
I just want to add that if you want to go further, you can REMOVE the BROWSER from your smart phone. This has made the biggest difference for me.
Without a browser (and no social media, email, or news apps on my phone) there is very little scrolling I can do. But my phone still navigates, makes calls, texts, takes photos, and plays audiobooks and music.
I do find myself searching for scrolly dopamine by looking at old photos or reading google maps reviews... but otherwise this has been great. I can find most phone numbers in google maps and I am rarely truly in a bind without a browser.
1. Delete any browser other than Safari.
2. Open settings and choose screen time
3. Content & Privacy Settings
4. Allowed Apps & Features
5. Toggle Safari off.
It takes enough steps that I only restore it if I'm really in a bind and need internet, never just to scroll.
One day, when I’m no longer in marketing and comms, I will do this! Imagine how much money I’ll save when I can’t shop on little screen
This makes the biggest difference for me! Even after having no social media for years and no mail, it’s amazing what a time suck safari can be. GIVE ME ALL THE INFORMATION FOR NO REASON.
My biggest hurdle is when I have to un-restrict it to scan a QR code or something and then forget to toggle it back off and fall back into the hole!
Here we go another science experiment
Give peace a chance, Courtney
I welcome it !!!
the app screen zen is a wonderful entirely free app blocker!!
Went straight to my homescreen and removed almost everything- I feel clearer
It’s the best. I still love how “clean” my phone looks
This is such an interesting idea, I think I will be giving this a go! 😍
Try it and then let me know what you think. PS love the baby bangs (i have them too)
Thank you!! 🖤 they are the best!
this is so inspiring
You ran a marathon. You can def do this. Small daily habits right? xx
Well, now this is clever!
It’s all Jason. I’m just sharing his wisdom with the masses.
Appreciate us all trading sanity hacks as we navigate the digi-sphere
Something I found really helpful was downloading Beeper. I’d been trying to find a way to have my IG DM’s on my phone but not that app itself - because I don’t want to spend time on social media but I do have people who DM me about jobs on there. Beeper allows your messages to all be in one place (I have my WhatsApp, IG and LinkedIn) which means that I don’t have to have the IG app on my phone. It also has the option to integrate a bunch of other messaging apps that I don’t use (slack, fb messenger, telegram, X, signal, discord, google chat).
The only downsides I’ve found is that you can’t sync up texts/iMessages - which isn’t a problem for me because I mainly use WhatsApp but can see how it would be annoying to other people. You also have to pay extra to turn off read receipts which is a bit annoying because I’ve had mine off on WhatsApp for years.
Love it! There are also apps that will streamline this process. Also grayscale in accessibility settings!
I have a version of this AND a brick. I’ve found the combination to be helpful. Since many events are only posted on instagram I unbrick my phone while I’m out with friends and brick it when I’m home.
It feels like meds & therapy- they work well together 😂
Done! I feel like I just did some kind of deep clean. Thank you!