Introducing Time Shields: Reclaim Your Focus and Live More Intentionally

Let’s be honest: you probably spend a lot of time on your phone. Some of that time is great! It connects you to friends and family, helps you learn new things, and keeps you informed. But what about the other times? The times you pick up your phone to do one quick thing, and an hour later you look up, wondering where the time went, having fallen into a rabbit hole of mindless scrolling.

That feeling of losing time to an algorithm, of being pulled away from your intentions, is frustrating. It can leave you feeling drained and out of control, rather than rested and engaged.

At Activities Matter, our mission is to help you live a more intentional and fulfilling life. That’s why we are thrilled to introduce a powerful new feature designed to address this modern problem: Time Shields.

Time Shields is your tool to gently reclaim your attention. It empowers you to create dedicated periods of focus, helping you use your phone for what you want, without the distractions you don’t.

Why We Built Time Shields

We know your phone is an essential tool, but its potential for distraction can undermine your best intentions. We didn’t want to create another tool that makes you feel guilty about screen time. Instead, we wanted to help you make your phone less distracting.

Time Shields were built to fix the mindless scrolling part of your day, so you can keep the good parts. The goal is simple: to help you respond to a friend’s message without getting stuck in an hour of doomscrolling. We want to empower you to design a digital environment that serves your goals, making space for concentration and reducing digital clutter.

How It Works: Your Shield Against Distraction

Time Shields is designed to be a simple, yet powerful way to create pockets of deep focus in your day. Go to the profile page and open the Time Shield’s page. There will be two initial ones: one for the morning and one for the evening.

1. Select Applications to Block

You are in complete control. Start by selecting the specific applications that you know are your biggest personal distraction triggers and group them into a “shield”.

2. Set Your Focus Intervals

Decide when you need to be protected. You can set specific time intervals during the day when your selected apps will be inaccessible, like blocking social media before noon or news apps during your evening reflection time.

3. Enjoy Uninterrupted Engagement

Once a Time Shield is active, we’ve got your back. If you try to open a blocked app, you’ll receive a gentle reminder that your focus time is active, helping you stay on task. It’s a supportive nudge that reinforces your commitment to yourself. Unlike other apps, you cannot skip this screen unless you open Activities Matter and stop the Time Shield.

More Than Just Blocking Apps

Time Shields is not just another app blocker. It’s a feature deeply integrated into the Activities Matter philosophy. By creating focused time, you’re not just avoiding distractions. You’re making room for what truly matters.

This is your time to make progress on a Goal, engage with an activity that balances your Five Pillars, or simply sit down for a meaningful AI Reflection. It’s about creating the quiet space necessary for intentional action and self-discovery.

Reclaim Your Attention Today

The new Time Shields feature is now available to all iOS Activities Matter users (Android doesn’t offer the same functionality). We invite you to set up your first shield and experience the clarity that comes from protecting your focus.

Design your environment, honor your intentions, and dedicate your energy to the life you truly want to live. Your attention is precious. Let’s start protecting it.

Photo by Ahmad Ossayli on Unsplash