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PaperclipPerfector  24d ago (text post)   1371 thread views

Wellness Wednesday for October 15, 2025

The Wednesday Wellness threads are meant to encourage users to ask for and provide advice and motivation to improve their lives. It isn't intended as a 'containment thread' and any content which could go here could instead be posted in its own thread. You could post:

  • Requests for advice and / or encouragement. On basically any topic and for any scale of problem.

  • Updates to let us know how you are doing. This provides valuable feedback on past advice / encouragement and will hopefully make people feel a little more motivated to follow through. If you want to be reminded to post your update, see the post titled 'update reminders', below.

  • Advice. This can be in response to a request for advice or just something that you think could be generally useful for many people here.

  • Encouragement. Probably best directed at specific users, but if you feel like just encouraging people in general I don't think anyone is going to object. I don't think I really need to say this, but just to be clear; encouragement should have a generally positive tone and not shame people (if people feel that shame might be an effective tool for motivating people, please discuss this so we can form a group consensus on how to use it rather than just trying it).

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This past week I discovered that my web browser time is finally dropping.

Here's what worked for me:

  • Remove unnecessary apps (email, maps) and disable notifications.
  • Install the "Lock me out" Android app and set it to block the browser on my phone during work hours (excepting lunch), sleep hours, and on weekends (5 min breaks allowed once an hour in case I need to reference an email, look up directions, or something).
  • Having a (fun) book to read on me at all times.
  • Having Anki on my home screen.

What used to happen was that I would be bored, open the browser on my phone, and get distracted. What happens now is that I get bored, try to access the web browser, get a "5 minute break?" prompt, decide I need to save the break for when I need it, and do Anki reviews instead. I'm finally making a dent in my old flashcard reviews, which I stopped doing religiously around the same time that I got a smartphone. When I get too tired for Anki reviews I will read the book.

The major disadvantage is that my plans are often revolving around getting internet access at key times in the day: I can no longer check email when I'm late on the on the way to work, etc.

Install the "Lock me out" Android app

Could you share the URL? I can't find it on the Google play store.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teqtic.lockmeout&hl=en-US&pli=1

My usage: I have it set to block all browsers / social media from 8:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00, then from 23:00 to 05:00 every night and all day on Saturday and Sunday. I think the free version of the app only allows four block rules. I am gradually increasing the restricted time as my habits improve.

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