🧱
I caved to the ads and got a Brick to help me curb my social media usage. So far (it’s been about a week) so good. While my overall screen time hasn’t taken a huge hit, I can already tell this thing is going to help! It’s brought my attention to how frequently I compulsively reach for my phone, and works to block me from apps while I’m working (blows the Apple screen time function out of the water). Something about having to physically get up and go tap my phone against it to unlock REALLY works for me (read: I’m lazy).
I’ve already been reading a lot more in the past year and I’m hoping this will help me add writing to my roster of activities. I’d like to train myself to pick up a book, notebook, or project instead of my phone as much as possible.
Anyway, if you've been thinking about getting one of these, I recommend it :)
Jan 31, 2025
Related Recs
This is long because it’s the one thing I bought off an IG ad that has actually been life changing. For years I wanted a dumb phone to fight my phone slash online shopping addiction, but I didn’t wanna lose maps and a good camera and the iMessage “echo” effect. This does that. My Brick lives on my fridge, and once I tap my phone to it, any app I haven’t whitelisted is blocked. And you can block anything. Even the calculator! Which it deserves…after I blocked the obvious ones like IG and shopping, I realized how addicted I was to *information itself*
Occasionally, I’d need to Google something of import, but  mostly, I used it to scratch my gnawing, itchy brain. I’d habitually fact-check conversations as I had them, to look up interior photos of the restaurant I’d soon be going to, to search, for the hundredth time, whether fish can feel pain. So anyway I blocked Chrome and Safari and it was nuts. I can’t really get stuck in my bed in a phone hole because the phone fun dries up real fast. I have to just.. get up? Read a book? Incredible. When I do unbrick, usually because I need to do promo for my book, I feel feral and off leash, I turn into a zombie ipad kid, and it’s sobering but makes me glad I have something to stop it. It’s nice being able to purchase a personal quality that you lack. Â
Sep 30, 2024
paired with a physical $50 magnet called a brick that you can put on your fridge or wherever, brick locks you out of distracting apps on your phone until you physically tap your phone to the brick. brick your phone, leave your house, go to work or on a walk distraction free, and unbrick your phone when you get home. it rules.
May 8, 2025
as a side effect of my job (and being me): I am chronically online and trying to fix that. this is my new home screen on my iPhone 15 Pro. I installed an app blocker so that when I shift into my custom minimal focus, only the default apps and what is on my home screen function.
its only been a few days but this paired with journaling when I’m “bored” instead of endlessly scrolling has already had a positive effect on my mental health. I can still freely browse on my desktop, but my phone is slowly turning into less and less of a dopamine sink and I think I’m gonna stick with it!!
Feb 8, 2024
Top Recs from @phebson
🥣
Spoon is the best flatware type
Willing to discuss the possibility that fork is better than spoon, but plate doesn’t rank compared to bowl
May 28, 2024
🧶
Even if you have other creative pursuits that require your brain to work, it’s fun to have one that requires very little thought or attention. I started crocheting a couple years ago and it’s perfect while sitting in front of the TV or listening to a podcast or just zoning out. Makes me feel productive even as my brain melts out my ears, and makes me feel creative even when I’m not doing any cooler, more challenging projects that require more of my energy.
Jan 30, 2024
✍️
my Goodreads: full to bursting
my Letterboxd: stacked
my Spotify: juicy with potential
Feb 2, 2024