All focus sessions
The complete list of focus sessions on SoftlyStill — 1,260 pieces, newest first, 30 to a page.
A 90-minute block for coding, with a fan or air conditioner, if you have done this a hundred times
A single 90-minute block for coding — one function at a time, not the whole system.
Start the block →25-minute focus session for practising an instrument with distant thunder, when you want to finish something
25 minutes on practising an instrument — slowly, with the metronome. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →50-minute focus session for exam revision with café murmur, when you are doing this for the first time
50 minutes on exam revision — recall rather than re-reading. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →90-minute focus session for data work with a fireplace, if you are doing this in the middle of the day
90 minutes on data work — checking as you go. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 25 minutes of editing (distant traffic), when you need to stop thinking about work
One block of editing with distant traffic underneath. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 50 minutes of brainstorming (a fan or air conditioner), if you are doing this instead of scrolling
One block of brainstorming with a fan or air conditioner underneath. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 90 minutes of research (a washing machine), when you need something unremarkable
One block of research with a washing machine underneath. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →45-minute focus block for applications and forms — café murmur, after a difficult conversation
A timer, a short prep list, and 45 minutes to get through the questions.
Start the block →50-minute focus block for planning — a library, when you are somewhere noisy
A timer, a short prep list, and 50 minutes to decide what happens when.
Start the block →90-minute focus block for writing — plain quiet, after a long day
A timer, a short prep list, and 90 minutes to get words down.
Start the block →Focus session for language practice: 45 minutes, forest at dusk, when you are waiting for something
45 minutes of language practice, with forest at dusk and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for studying: 50 minutes, birds at dawn, when you are too tired to try hard
50 minutes of studying, with birds at dawn and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →25-minute drawing session with brown noise and a timer, when you are not sure this will work
Sit down, press start, and fill the page for 25 minutes. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →45-minute reading session with a stream and a timer, when you are not in the mood
Sit down, press start, and read properly for 45 minutes. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.
Start the block →50-minute thesis writing session with plain quiet and a timer, when you are somewhere unfamiliar
Sit down, press start, and add to the pile for 50 minutes. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →A 25-minute block for design work, with a train carriage, when you feel restless rather than tired
A single 25-minute block for design work — rough versions first.
Start the block →A 45-minute block for decluttering, with birds at dawn, when nothing else has worked today
A single 45-minute block for decluttering — one surface at a time.
Start the block →A 90-minute block for admin and email, with white noise, when you are on your own
A single 90-minute block for admin and email — in one pass, without opening new tabs.
Start the block →25-minute focus session for portfolio work with a stream, when you have already had a long week
25 minutes on portfolio work — the last ten percent. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →50-minute focus session for problem solving with rain on a window, on a low-energy afternoon
50 minutes on problem solving — before looking anything up. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →90-minute focus session for coding with a fireplace, when you cannot concentrate on anything else
90 minutes on coding — one function at a time, not the whole system. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 25 minutes of practising an instrument (vinyl crackle), when you have been on screens all day
One block of practising an instrument with vinyl crackle underneath. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 50 minutes of exam revision (a fan or air conditioner), when you have woken up too early
One block of exam revision with a fan or air conditioner underneath. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 90 minutes of data work (distant thunder), when the day has been loud
One block of data work with distant thunder underneath. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →45-minute focus block for editing — café murmur, when you feel fine and want to stay that way
A timer, a short prep list, and 45 minutes to cut and tighten.
Start the block →50-minute focus block for brainstorming — a fireplace, if you have five quiet minutes
A timer, a short prep list, and 50 minutes to generate options.
Start the block →90-minute focus block for research — distant traffic, when you have tried everything else
A timer, a short prep list, and 90 minutes to follow one thread.
Start the block →Focus session for applications and forms: 45 minutes, a fan or air conditioner, when you have just finished work
45 minutes of applications and forms, with a fan or air conditioner and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for planning: 50 minutes, a washing machine, before you go back to something hard
50 minutes of planning, with a washing machine and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →25-minute writing session with brown noise and a timer, when you want to be left alone
Sit down, press start, and get words down for 25 minutes. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →Newest first. Everything here is free — no account, no streaks, nothing to install.