Trying to put down your phone? This is a new app recommendation.
It doesn’t need my help – recently it was #1 on the App Store. But it came out of a creator I respect (Hank Green) and it is working well for me (I’m using it right now).
Focus Friend gives you an adorable little bean in your phone who focuses and knits when you put down your phone. It’s free, doesn’t collect data, and works quite well at helping me to choose focus over distraction. Here’s how I’ve been using it:
- Deep Focus Mode with app exceptions. I chose the apps that remain available inside my Phone Settings; when I start a focus session, all other apps become unavailable.
- Long focus session before bed. I set the 120-minute focus when it’s time to shut down my day. That way I’m less likely to use my phone during that crucial pre-sleep timeframe.
- Focus sessions during times I wouldn’t normally use my phone. Rehearsals, lessons, meetings. The app makes it that much more likely I stay focused. (I’ll encourage my students to do the same.)
- Focus sessions when I want to prioritize family. Meals, walks, even family movies – these are opportunities to bring my focus in line with my loved ones.
We’re all looking for ways to keep using our devices without being overwhelmed by them. For me, Focus Friend is part of that equation at the moment.