--- title: Screen time slowing you down? Try ‘monk mode’ - The Hustle description: Need to use less tech? The answer might be… tech. image: https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1516654296-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-MonkMode_20231004230113.webp --- # Screen time slowing you down? Try ‘monk mode’ ![Sara Friedman](https://53.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/53/assets/hubspot.com/web-team/WBZ/HubSpot%20Media/Blog%202021/Images/Nav/Optimized/TheHustle_Icon_Dark.svg) [Sara Friedman](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/author/sara-friedman) [Sara Friedman Twitter profile ](https://twitter.com/sarafriedmannn) Published: October 05, 2023 Updated: October 11, 2023 If you’ve ever found yourself watching TV with your computer on your lap while scrolling on your phone, then you know our tech use can sometimes get out of hand. ![A white man in a dress shirt winding up to throw his phone on a yellow geometric background.](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1516654296-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-MonkMode_20231004230113.webp?width=595&height=400&name=1516654296-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-MonkMode_20231004230113.webp) But with so many screens and notifications, what’s a modern-day consumer to do? The answer, for some, is “monk mode,” the productivity trend [inspired](https://www.fastcompany.com/90953246/monk-mode-is-the-new-productivity-trend-that-promises-to-improve-your-attention-span) by — you guessed it — monks and the secluded, reflective lives they lead. #### **One-part detox and one-part productivity hack…** … the practice centers on abstaining from digital distractions in order to achieve deep focus. While the approach itself is nothing new — [entrepreneurs](https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/monk-mode-productivity-david-cain.html) were talking about this back in the early 2000s — it’s recently taken off on social media. The hashtag #monkmode has 68.8m+ views on TikTok. Ironically, those seeking enlightenment are using [technology](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66934688) to stay offline: - The [Freedom](https://freedom.to/) app, which allows users to block specific social sites or turn off internet access entirely, has 2.5m+ global users. - [FocusMe](https://focusme.com/) lets users customize their website blocking (you can block all of Facebook with the exception of one group, for example). - [Cold Turkey](https://getcoldturkey.com/) claims its website blockers are nearly impossible to break. And for those who simply can’t survive without a touch of gamification, [Forest](https://www.forestapp.cc/) lets users plant trees — both real and digital — each time they meet their focus goals. #### **Monk mode comes at a time…** … when many are trying to escape the constant cycle of notifications. It’s just one of many recent tech trends bringing consumers back to basics: - Gen Z has an [affinity](https://thehustle.co/01122023-gen-z-outdated-tech/) for flip phones and outdated cameras. - Record players have had a major [resurgence](https://thehustle.co/the-insane-resurgence-of-vinyl-records/). - There are [clubs](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/style/teens-social-media.html) of young people dedicated to giving up technology. Now go ahead, log off.* **Just always make sure to open our emails.* Topics: [Apps](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/tag/apps) [Trends](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/tag/trends) ## Follow us on social media prev next - ![Yelp vs. fake reviews](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1980373282-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-yelp_20230925214718.webp) ### Yelp vs. fake reviews - ![Do dating apps decide who we get to date?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1112282225-httpsthdaily.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.comfinal_size-dating-app_20230822212519.webp) ### Do dating apps decide who we get to date? - ![Sherlocking, explained](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1113427454-httpsthe-hustle.hubspot.comhubfsDaily20Newsletter20ImagesMay2016202023sherlock.webp) ### Sherlocking, explained - ![The next big app is here — until it isn’t](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1978269103-final_size-apps_20230426005628.webp) ### The next big app is here — until it isn’t - ![Why do our weather apps betray us?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/680786209-19-News-Brief_2023-04-12T221618.806Z.webp) ### Why do our weather apps betray us? - ![Whether or not it’s the answer we want, Microsoft has one for Zoom fatigue](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/999514725-httpsthe-hustle.hubspot.comhubfsDaily20Newsletter20ImagesMarch2028202023microsoft_teams.webp) ### Whether or not it’s the answer we want, Microsoft has one for Zoom fatigue - ![Gen Z just doesn’t like milk, OK?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/257263501-19-News-Brief_2023-04-04T223245.339Z.webp) ### Gen Z just doesn’t like milk, OK? - ![Whatever happened to Groupon?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/GIFs/885947250-httpsthe-hustle.hubspot.comhubfsDaily20Newsletter20ImagesApril203202023groupongif.webp) ### Whatever happened to Groupon? - ![Home canning is making a comeback](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1019109138-HS-News-Brief_2023-02-23T015927.338Z.webp) ### Home canning is making a comeback - ![Do we need another newsreader?](https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/hubfs/The%20Hustle%20News/Assets/Images/1969515777-HS-News-Brief_2023-02-01T015321.243Z.webp) ### Do we need another newsreader? Pop up for Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Newsletter Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Newsletter Get the 5-minute news brief keeping 2.5M+ innovators in the loop. Always free. 100% fresh. No bullsh*t. JOIN FREE ### 100% Free CRM Nurture and grow your business with customer relationship management software. Signup for a free account Close modal ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Sara Friedman", "url" : "https://hs-sbup.thehustle.co/news/author/sara-friedman" }, "datePublished" : "2023-10-05T21:48:56.000Z", "headline" : "Screen time slowing you down? 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