Do Less on Your Phone, Get More Done in Your Life

Feeling like your phone runs your life? Learn how to take back control!

Is Your Phone Stealing Your Time?

You want to focus, but then you check social media. Just for a minute, right? Then, an hour is gone. You are not alone.

Phones are great tools. They help us talk to friends, learn new things, and have fun. But too much phone time can cause problems. It can hurt your sleep and make you feel stressed. Looking at screens a lot can also strain your eyes. It can even make you feel lonely, even when you are online.

It's like your phone is stealing your time and energy. Time you could use for hobbies, friends, or just relaxing. It's time to take back control.

How FocusPledge Can Help You Take Back Control

Good news! There's a way to help you manage your phone. It's an app called FocusPledge. Think of it like a superhero for your focus.

FocusPledge helps you block distracting apps. You can set limits for how long you use certain apps each day. Want to stop scrolling on social media when you should be working? FocusPledge can help!

Here's how FocusPledge works:

  • App Blocker: You choose which apps to block. No more getting lost in games or social media when you need to focus.
  • Set Times: You can set times to block apps. Like during work hours or bedtime.
  • Limits: Set a limit on how much time you spend on apps each day. When you reach your limit, FocusPledge blocks the app.

FocusPledge is like having a personal coach for your phone habits. It helps you use your phone in a way that helps you, not hurts you. It's about using technology smartly, so you have more time for what really matters to you.

Taking breaks from your phone is also important for your mind. It's like giving your brain a chance to rest and recharge.

Start Small: Pick Just One App to Limit

Feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry! You don't have to change everything at once. Start small. Think about one app that steals most of your time. Maybe it's TikTok, Instagram, or a game.

Pick just one app to limit with FocusPledge. Start with a small limit, like 20 minutes a day. See how it feels. It's like when you start a new habit. Small steps can lead to big changes.

Think about it like starting a small business. Many businesses start small and grow over time. You can do the same with your phone habits. Start with one app, and then add more limits as you get used to it.

Limiting just one app can make a big difference. You might be surprised at how much extra time you have. Time you can use to do things you love!

Plan Your Day: What Will You Do Instead of Scrolling?

Okay, you're going to use FocusPledge to limit your phone time. Great! But what will you do with all that extra time? It's good to have a plan.

Think about things you enjoy doing that don't involve your phone. Maybe:

  • Reading a book
  • Going for a walk
  • Drawing or coloring
  • Playing a game with your family
  • Working on a hobby

Plan some of these activities for the times you usually scroll. For example, if you always scroll after dinner, plan to read a book instead. Or go for a walk around the block.

It's all about finding things you like to do that are not on your phone. When you have a plan, it's easier to stick to your goals. You're not just stopping phone use, you're starting to do other fun and interesting things!

Make it Easy: Put Your Phone Out of Sight

Want to make it even easier to use your phone less? Put it out of sight! When your phone is right next to you, it's easy to grab it and start scrolling without even thinking.

Try putting your phone in another room when you are working or relaxing. Or put it in a drawer or bag. Out of sight, out of mind! It really works.

Studies shows that just having your phone nearby can distract you, even if you are not using it. Your brain knows it's there and it can take away your focus.

So, put your phone away. Make it a little harder to reach. You'll be surprised how much easier it is to focus on other things.

Reward Yourself: Celebrate Your Wins!

You're making changes to your phone habits. That's awesome! It's important to celebrate your wins, even the small ones.

Did you stick to your app limits for a whole day? Did you spend an evening without scrolling? Great job! Give yourself a pat on the back.

Rewards don't have to be big. Maybe:

  • Enjoy a healthy snack
  • Listen to your favorite music
  • Spend extra time on a hobby you love
  • Tell a friend about your success

This blog post about celebrating wins explains why it's important. It makes you feel good and motivates you to keep going.

Celebrating your wins makes the whole process more fun. It helps you see how far you've come and encourages you to keep making progress.

Don't Give Up: It's Okay to Make Mistakes

Changing habits is not always easy. You might slip up sometimes. You might go over your app limits or scroll when you didn't mean to. It's okay! Don't give up.

Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them and keep trying. If you have a bad day, just start fresh the next day.

Feeling overwhelmed?  It's a common experience.  Remember, you're not alone in this, and "it's okay to not be okay". It's okay to struggle sometimes. Be kind to yourself and keep moving forward.

Think of it as a journey, not a race. There will be ups and downs. Just keep practicing and you will get better at managing your phone use over time.

Get More Done and Feel Less Stressed

Using your phone less can really change your life. You'll have more time to focus on your goals. You'll be less distracted and more productive. You might even feel less stressed!

It's like exercise for your mind, helping you feel better and more in control, just like physical activity can reduce stress (something the American Psychological Association has explored).

And it's not just about getting more done. It's also about feeling better. When you're not constantly checking your phone, you can be more present, enjoy the moments, and connect with people around you.  Cultivating this kind of digital mindfulness, as discussed in resources on the topic, can significantly improve your well-being. It's about using technology in a way that supports your life, instead of taking it over.

So, are you ready to take back control? Start small, be patient, and celebrate your progress. You can do it!

References

  1. Goteka, P. (2024). Digital Wellbeing: Balancing Screen Time for a Healthier Life. Mobile Guardian. https://www.mobileguardian.com/blog/digital-wellbeing-balancing-screen-time-for-a-healthier-life
  2. FocusPledge: Less Screen Time. (n.d.). [Mobile application]. Apple App Store. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/focuspledge/id6670452224
  3. Leon, R. M. (n.d.). How Digital Detoxing Can Help You Reclaim Your Mental Wellness. Wove Therapy. https://www.wovetherapy.com/blog/digital-detoxing-can-help-reclaim-your-mental-wellness
  4. 80 Small Business Statistics To Help You Succeed in 2024. (n.d.). Ninja Transfers. https://ninjatransfers.com/blogs/dtf/small-business-statistics
  5. How to Stop Scrolling: Tips from a Behavior Change Expert. (n.d.). Body Brain Alliance. https://bodybrainalliance.com/how-to-stop-scrolling-tips-from-a-behavior-change-expert/
  6. Shmerling, R. H. (2017). Keeping your smartphone nearby may not be so smart. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/keeping-your-smartphone-nearby-may-not-be-so-smart-2017080212163
  7. Celebrate Your Wins: The Science of the Wins Board Activity. (n.d.). Madhurima Sappatti. https://www.madhurimasappatti.com/post/celebrate-your-wins-the-science-of-the-wins-board-activity
  8. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Tips and Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month. (2024). ADA Southeast. https://adasoutheast.org/its-okay-to-not-be-okay-tips-and-resources-for-mental-health-awareness-month/
  9. Exercise: A healthy stress reliever. (2013). American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2013/exercise
  10. Practice Digital Mindfulness For Wellbeing. (2025). Rumie. https://learn.rumie.org/jR/bytes/practice-digital-mindfulness-for-wellbeing/
questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

How can it detect when I break focus?

FocusPledge blocks apps you’ve selected during focus sessions. These apps remain inaccessible unless you manually unlock them, ensuring you stay on track without distractions.

Is it free?

Yes! FocusPledge offers both free and premium features. You can use the basic app with focus sessions and app blocking at no cost, while premium features like unlimited sessions and advanced difficulty modes are available with a subscription.

What data does it collect?

Your screen time data never leaves your device, ensuring complete privacy. No account necessary.

Does it work on all devices?

FocusPledge is exclusively designed for iPhones. We're working hard to bring it to other platforms in the future, so stay tuned!

Say goodbye to distractions

Get started with FocusPledge today and turn your screen time into you time!