All focus sessions
The complete list of focus sessions on SoftlyStill — 1,260 pieces, newest first, 30 to a page.
Deep work timer: 25 minutes of coding (distant traffic), when the day has been loud
One block of coding 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 practising an instrument (a fan or air conditioner), when you feel fine and want to stay that way
One block of practising an instrument 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 exam revision (a washing machine), if you have five quiet minutes
One block of exam revision with a washing machine underneath. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →45-minute focus block for data work — café murmur, when you have tried everything else
A timer, a short prep list, and 45 minutes to work through the numbers.
Start the block →50-minute focus block for editing — a library, when you have just finished work
A timer, a short prep list, and 50 minutes to cut and tighten.
Start the block →90-minute focus block for brainstorming — distant traffic, before you go back to something hard
A timer, a short prep list, and 90 minutes to generate options.
Start the block →Focus session for research: 45 minutes, forest at dusk, when you want to be left alone
45 minutes of research, with forest at dusk and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for applications and forms: 50 minutes, a washing machine, if you are new to this
50 minutes of applications and forms, with a washing machine and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →25-minute planning session with brown noise and a timer, when your attention is scattered
Sit down, press start, and decide what happens when for 25 minutes. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →45-minute writing session with a stream and a timer, when you have been meaning to start
Sit down, press start, and get words down for 45 minutes. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.
Start the block →50-minute language practice session with plain quiet and a timer, before something difficult
Sit down, press start, and practise out loud for 50 minutes. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →A 25-minute block for studying, with a train carriage, when the house is busy
A single 25-minute block for studying — reading and notes, not highlighting.
Start the block →A 45-minute block for drawing, with birds at dawn, when the weather has kept you inside
A single 45-minute block for drawing — without correcting anything yet.
Start the block →A 90-minute block for reading, with white noise, when you are short on time
A single 90-minute block for reading — pages rather than paragraphs.
Start the block →25-minute focus session for thesis writing with a stream, when you have been putting it off
25 minutes on thesis writing — sections, not the whole thing. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →50-minute focus session for design work with rain on a window, if you are sceptical about all of this
50 minutes on design work — rough versions first. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →90-minute focus session for decluttering with a train carriage, when you are cold and want to be warm
90 minutes on decluttering — one surface at a time. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 25 minutes of admin and email (vinyl crackle), when you only have a few minutes
One block of admin and email 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 portfolio work (white noise), when you want something simple
One block of portfolio work with white noise underneath. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 90 minutes of problem solving (distant thunder), when you want to finish something
One block of problem solving with distant thunder underneath. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →45-minute focus block for coding — café murmur, when you are doing this for the first time
A timer, a short prep list, and 45 minutes to work through the problem.
Start the block →50-minute focus block for practising an instrument — a fireplace, if you are doing this in the middle of the day
A timer, a short prep list, and 50 minutes to drill the hard bars.
Start the block →90-minute focus block for exam revision — distant traffic, when you need to stop thinking about work
A timer, a short prep list, and 90 minutes to test yourself.
Start the block →Focus session for data work: 45 minutes, a fan or air conditioner, if you are doing this instead of scrolling
45 minutes of data work, with a fan or air conditioner and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for editing: 50 minutes, a washing machine, when you need something unremarkable
50 minutes of editing, with a washing machine and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →25-minute brainstorming session with café murmur and a timer, after a difficult conversation
Sit down, press start, and generate options for 25 minutes. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →45-minute research session with a library and a timer, when you are somewhere noisy
Sit down, press start, and follow one thread for 45 minutes. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.
Start the block →50-minute applications and forms session with distant traffic and a timer, after a long day
Sit down, press start, and get through the questions for 50 minutes. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →A 25-minute block for planning, with forest at dusk, when you are waiting for something
A single 25-minute block for planning — on paper, so you can see it.
Start the block →A 45-minute block for writing, with birds at dawn, when you are too tired to try hard
A single 45-minute block for writing — the first draft, not the good version.
Start the block →Newest first. Everything here is free — no account, no streaks, nothing to install.