All focus sessions
The complete list of focus sessions on SoftlyStill — 1,260 pieces, newest first, 30 to a page.
90-minute focus session for language practice with vinyl crackle, when your attention is scattered
90 minutes on language practice — repetition rather than novelty. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 45 minutes of studying (a fan or air conditioner), when you have been meaning to start
One block of studying with a fan or air conditioner underneath. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 50 minutes of drawing (distant thunder), before something difficult
One block of drawing with distant thunder underneath. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →25-minute focus block for reading — café murmur, when the house is busy
A timer, a short prep list, and 25 minutes to read properly.
Start the block →45-minute focus block for thesis writing — a fireplace, when the weather has kept you inside
A timer, a short prep list, and 45 minutes to add to the pile.
Start the block →50-minute focus block for design work — distant traffic, when you are short on time
A timer, a short prep list, and 50 minutes to make decisions.
Start the block →Focus session for decluttering: 25 minutes, a fan or air conditioner, on a day that started badly
25 minutes of decluttering, with a fan or air conditioner and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for admin and email: 45 minutes, a washing machine, when you are at home and cannot settle
45 minutes of admin and email, with a washing machine and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for portfolio work: 90 minutes, café murmur, after eating too much
90 minutes of portfolio work, with café murmur and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →25-minute problem solving session with a library and a timer, if you are tired of apps
Sit down, press start, and stay with the difficulty for 25 minutes. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →45-minute coding session with plain quiet and a timer, if you have done this a hundred times
Sit down, press start, and work through the problem for 45 minutes. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.
Start the block →90-minute practising an instrument session with forest at dusk and a timer, when you have already had a long week
Sit down, press start, and drill the hard bars for 90 minutes. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →A 25-minute block for exam revision, with birds at dawn, on a low-energy afternoon
A single 25-minute block for exam revision — recall rather than re-reading.
Start the block →A 50-minute block for data work, with brown noise, when you cannot concentrate on anything else
A single 50-minute block for data work — checking as you go.
Start the block →A 90-minute block for editing, with a stream, when you have been on screens all day
A single 90-minute block for editing — the boring pass that makes it readable.
Start the block →25-minute focus session for brainstorming with plain quiet, if you are doing this instead of scrolling
25 minutes on brainstorming — quantity before quality. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →50-minute focus session for research with a train carriage, when you need something unremarkable
50 minutes on research — with a note file open beside you. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →90-minute focus session for applications and forms with birds at dawn, after a difficult conversation
90 minutes on applications and forms — dull but finite. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 45 minutes of planning (white noise), when you are somewhere noisy
One block of planning with white noise underneath. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.
Start the block →Deep work timer: 50 minutes of writing (distant thunder), after a long day
One block of writing with distant thunder underneath. Fifty minutes, the length of a therapy hour, with ten minutes off afterwards.
Start the block →25-minute focus block for language practice — rain on a window, when you are waiting for something
A timer, a short prep list, and 25 minutes to practise out loud.
Start the block →45-minute focus block for studying — a fireplace, when you are too tired to try hard
A timer, a short prep list, and 45 minutes to take in the material.
Start the block →50-minute focus block for drawing — vinyl crackle, when you are not sure this will work
A timer, a short prep list, and 50 minutes to fill the page.
Start the block →Focus session for reading: 25 minutes, a fan or air conditioner, when you are not in the mood
25 minutes of reading, with a fan or air conditioner and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for thesis writing: 45 minutes, distant thunder, when you are somewhere unfamiliar
45 minutes of thesis writing, with distant thunder and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →Focus session for design work: 90 minutes, café murmur, when you feel restless rather than tired
90 minutes of design work, with café murmur and a note on what to do when you drift.
Start the block →25-minute decluttering session with a fireplace and a timer, when nothing else has worked today
Sit down, press start, and move things out for 25 minutes. One pomodoro, long enough to get somewhere and short enough to start.
Start the block →45-minute admin and email session with distant traffic and a timer, when you are on your own
Sit down, press start, and clear the queue for 45 minutes. A single class period, the length most people can hold before the quality drops.
Start the block →90-minute portfolio work session with a fan or air conditioner and a timer, if you are fitting this around other people
Sit down, press start, and finish the pieces for 90 minutes. One full ultradian cycle, for work that needs a long runway.
Start the block →A 25-minute block for problem solving, with a washing machine, when you have more time than usual
A single 25-minute block for problem solving — before looking anything up.
Start the block →Newest first. Everything here is free — no account, no streaks, nothing to install.