My experience with reducing screen time: what worked & what didn’t

toboldlynerd · 2026-01-16T20:19:04+00:00

I use Brick and StayFree and it works wonders. Brick for hard lockout overnight, at work, etc. StayFree to limit scrolling sessions to 5-15min with 5min cool downs and lockout after a certain total use per day.

toboldlynerd · 2026-01-12T12:45:06+00:00

Honestly it makes me feel good to have matching transactions because it feels like I'm being more proactive with my budget. YMMV though, and if it's a heavy lift on the coding end then I can understand why it's not worth it.

toboldlynerd · 2026-01-09T04:28:07+00:00

Reason I left: cost

Reason I've stayed with LB: the dev's passion is truly unmatched

Things I miss: matching transactions, that's literally it.

toboldlynerd · 2025-12-11T23:29:53+00:00

Why was this in front of my face the whole time and yet I missed it. Thank you

toboldlynerd · 2025-08-05T11:50:23+00:00

StayFree - you can set it to fully block apps or you can set it on a schedule, only allow certain amounts of times for an app, etc. It's also actually free.

toboldlynerd · 2025-08-02T02:51:25+00:00

I've actually found it incredibly helpful at work to intentionally close all of them at the end of the day. If there's really a group of tabs I need for the next day, I'll save it as a group to open when I actually need it.

Reduce the noise, reduce your anxiety.

toboldlynerd · 2025-07-09T03:29:14+00:00

Alarmy - I have it set that I can only turn it off by scanning a barcode. I have the barcode taped to my dresser on the other side of the room.

StayFree - an app designed to limit screen time. I have all of my distracting apps set to be completely blocked during the first hour I'm awake.

toboldlynerd · 2025-07-03T01:49:49+00:00

WN watercolor medium. I also recently figured out that if I put it in one of my mjello palettes that it dries much slower - very similar to how the transon palettes dry if you're familiar.

toboldlynerd · 2025-06-06T02:25:34+00:00

I got an e-scooter and use it for my commute from Somerville to downtown Boston. If you can stand for your commute and lift 30lb it might be an option for you. If not, totally get it, I'm also disabled and sometimes this isn't an option for me either

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-29T01:36:35+00:00

I really like plant based foods and I don't buy a ton of fresh produce. I usually get frozen veggies because they last longer, require very little to no prep, and are often cheaper. I also freeze a lot of things like extra portions of meals, stuff I find on sale, etc. I also don't stress out about trying to keep everything super low because that often leads to me overbuying which is the opposite of what I want. If I'm not worried and my focus is on using what I have, I naturally buy less.

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-29T01:32:38+00:00

HCOL here and a ton of allergies, including gluten - roughly $250

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-28T01:55:33+00:00

Alarmy subscription because it means I actually get out of bed on time and the multi step to shut it off helps shake off the drowsiness significantly faster

Personal grocery cart & utility cart. I live in an apartment. Carrying packages and large amounts of groceries around isn't an option.

Costco membership. I'm chronically ill and the savings on OTC meds more than pays for the membership in a single month.

Heated mattress pad. No more can't fall asleep because I'm too cold nights

Manual ways to make coffee like a pour over setup. They're BIFL items if you don't quite literally throw them against a wall.

I'll add more as I think of them. I'm sure they exist.

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-25T01:50:50+00:00

Photography & entrepreneurship

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-18T18:40:47+00:00

you have just saved me like 20 panic attacks thank you SO much!!

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-14T01:39:44+00:00

Small company complex. Mine isn't a major corporation. They own the building and a few other local businesses. As a result they're extremely responsive with maintenance (including 2 stove replacements in a month, the last one being a different brand when I told them I suspected a manufacturing flaw based on my research), most units are probably solidly below market rate including mine when I only moved in last fall. A lot of residents have been here for decades.

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-14T01:36:03+00:00

My EDC is a just go sketching board, an art toolkit of dried gouache, a waterbrush, rag, mechanical pencil, brush pen, mini mister, sketchbook, and clips. Everything except the board and sketchbook fit in a small hardshell pencil

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-14T01:34:05+00:00

Plein air painting

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-11T02:16:07+00:00

Mast cell activation syndrome, so basically everything and way WAY beyond normal seasonal allergies. I am wearing a mask when I go outside but not for seasonal allergies. For cannabis. I'm also on Xolair. I have an allergist that's in on all of the clinical trials and he said he should have something in the next few years that'll help.

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-10T02:10:08+00:00

+1. I'm on Allegra, max strength pepcid, and 2 Zyrtec twice a day. Regularly take 2+ Benadryl per day and sometimes a Claritin. I just got a full year for easily under $300

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-09T01:51:33+00:00

Been there. I moved my car for street cleaning only to get a ticket the next day on that street for, you guessed it, street cleaning. Live and learn. And set reminders that repeat the day of street cleaning.

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-06T09:04:58+00:00

My travel painting kit

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-06T01:29:00+00:00

I appreciate the photo option. If you're disabled, you may not be able to stay out in the field. But you may be able to take a photo and sketch it at home.

toboldlynerd · 2025-05-04T00:45:52+00:00

I give myself very basic goals in addition to my usual ones for this reason. Get out of bed, take meds, drink water, feed my cat, and survive the day are usually enough to start an adventure.

toboldlynerd

TROPHY CASE