How to Take Back Control: Battling Your Screentime in 2025
I KNOW I’m not the only one setting the goal (once again) for the new year to spend less time on my phone.
I think it’s fair to say many of us spend more mindless time on our phones than we’d like or care to admit, and I’m sure it’s fair to say many of us have set up time limits on our social apps, only to punch in our passwords multiple times throughout the day to unlock the distracting apps…completing defeating the purpose of setting up the time limit in the first place.
This post is to provide you with some hacks that will help you achieve your goal of cutting down your screen time in 2025 and hopefully encourage you to spend your screen time more mindfully.
A Revolutionary Tool: Brick
Some of you may have seen ads for this new product called ‘Brick’, a physical product designed to fully lock you out of your phone or apps based on settings you create, and will only re-grant you access once you’ve physically tapped your phone against the little device.
I personally haven’t used it but LOVE the idea of it. It makes you think twice before actually logging back into apps you’ve blocked yourself out of – whether because you’re trying to cut down the doom scrolling, or you’ve got a deadline to focus on – and gives you the ability to physically relocate the device into another room, making the action of getting it less appealing. It allows you to use your phone without the distractions.
Challenges for Travelers and Vanlifers
While it’s a great idea and great product, it’s not necessarily a practical one for travelers or vanlifers for a few reasons:
Vanlifers only have one room… so the “hiding in another room” to discourage you from getting up and unlocking the apps doesn’t really apply (unless maybe you live in a bus or large RV
Travelers live pretty minimally, so the idea of adding another thing to remember and carry around isn’t all that appealing and more hassle than it’s worth.
Loss and theft are unfortunate potential realities of traveling – while I’m sure there are ways to override the system in case of a lost Brick, the hassle of potentially dealing with this I feel is not worth the stress.
Opal: A Powerful App for Screen Management
An app I’ve used in the past and have recently started using again is Opal. It’s had some changes and upgrades since I last used it, but still find it very effective. It allows you to set up time blocks that lock you out of apps you’ve selected. In the premium version, you can set up multiple time-blocks, with suggestions like “social media free lunch” or “good nights sleep.” It’s completely customizable and actually keeps you out of the app.
My favourite feature of the app is that if you’re ever wanting or needing to override the block, it forces you to wait through a count-down and guides your through a short breathing exercise – forcing you to pause and think before asking you if you’re sure you want to continue with turning off or pausing the block. Each time you choose to unblock, the count-down gets longer, making it less and less appealing to unblock.
The free version allows you one time block – currently I have mine set up to block Instagram between the hours of 9pm and 9am – while the premium version allows endless set ups, and provides detailed data on how efficient and productive your time spent on your phone was, and how much time you actually gained by not using your phone for the usual doom scrolling.
You can use this referral link or use the code AUDSA to gain 30 days free access to a premium Opal account! If you register on your own, they only give you a 7-day free trial of the premium account.
Additional iPhone Hacks to Curb Late-Night Scrolling
Another couple things I’ve set up on my phone to try and deter me from using it late into the night is:
At 730pm my phone turns to B&W – making it less appealing to look at.
At 930pm my phones turns to airplane mode.
Set up ‘One Sec’ for instagram. Another free app that helps deter you from mindlessly using distracting apps.
For setting up automations 1 and 2 in my iPhone shortcuts, this YouTube short should help guide you if you’re interested in setting them up yourself!
Follow Sean Oulashin for More Inspiration
@seanoulashin is a great creative whose work focuses on helping individuals get off their phones; he’s also put together a course that’s designed to help you re-focus your attention and cut down your screentime. Highly recommend giving him a follow!
Hope you find this helpful! And if you have your own tips or tricks for battling your screentime, please share them for other readers in the comments!
Stay passionate and curious,
Hunter💛
