Defeat the Doomscroll
Three Tools to Keep Online Distractions at Bay as an Author
In the current state of our world, doomscrolling, explained by Harvard Health Publishing as a constant urge to scroll through distressing online news headlines, is becoming an increasingly popular pastime—despite what many of us would prefer. And for authors, it can be a productivity killer, draining time and mental energy before you’ve even typed your first sentence.
For some who are prone to the anxious scrolling sessions, the best option to protect their mental health is to avoid social media altogether, and therefore avoid the content that’s feeding their stress or anger. But many authors rely on social media for marketing or to connect with readers; stepping away from sites entirely isn’t always an option.
Thankfully, there are plenty of tools available to help authors block distractions, set boundaries, and focus on producing words without falling into a social media spiral. Some can help block out distractions during writing sessions, and others restrict specific apps and websites, so you can access them only in the blocks of time that you set.
Opal
https://www.opal.so
With a user base of approximately four million people, Opal is a go-to app for iPhone and Mac owners wanting to track their screen time, block distractions, encourage others to reduce their scrolling, and reward themselves for reaching focus milestones.
The app allows you to select which apps and websites you’d like to block at scheduled times of the day. With four different blocking modes—Brick Mode, Work Hours, Crunch Time, and GODMODE Focus—you can mix and match modes as needed to carve out your own custom blend of focus and protect your most productive time.
Opal offers multiple pricing options that range from free with limited access to more feature-robust plans, which include $19.99 per month, $99.99 per year, or $399 for lifetime access.
OmmWriter
https://ommwriter.com
Designed to stimulate concentration, OmmWriter is a word processor and Zen-like immersive writing experience, using nature-inspired backgrounds, soothing sound tracks, and subtle typing sounds to help you block out distraction during a writing sprint.
Downloads are available for PC and Mac starting at a price of $9.93 per license. Users are invited to pay more, but only if they feel the product is worth it.
Brick
https://getbrick.app
Although most distraction-busting tools are application-based software, Brick is a physical device about the size of a matchbook, and it’s completely portable. To use it, select which applications and/or sites to block on your phone or computer, then walk away. Brick continues to block distractions until you physically tap the device to your phone and choose to unblock them. The physical Brick device costs $59 and allows authors to avoid the temptation to circumvent application-based blocking.
The next time you find yourself drifting down the doomscrolling rabbit hole, know that even without swearing off social media altogether, you can take steps to slow the scroll. Even without a dedicated tool for the job, physically stepping away from your device or scheduling time away from screens can be a boon for your mental health—and, therefore, your writing career.
Jenn Mitchell
Jenn Mitchell writes Urban Fantasy and Weird West, as well as culinary cozy mysteries under the pen name, J Lee Mitchell. She writes, cooks, and gardens in the heart of South Central Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. When she’s not doing these things, she dreams of training llama riding ninjas. She enjoys traveling, quilting, hoarding cookbooks, Sanntangling, and spending time with the world’s most patient and loving significant other.
