#1
SIMPLIFY YOUR DEVICE
A phone built to reduce distraction.
The goal is simple: turn your phone into a tool, not entertainment.
WHAT TO DO
- Press and hold any app on your home screen.
- Tap "Edit Home Screen".
- Tap and drag each app to Page 2.
- Repeat until your first page is completely empty.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Starting from zero forces intentionality.
Before adding anything back, experience what an empty phone feels like.
A blank screen is a reset.
WHAT TO DO
- Think about the apps that serve a real purpose in your life.
DOCK (ALWAYS VISIBLE)
- Phone
- Messages
- Clock
- Calendar
SAMPLE HOME SCREEN
- Maps
- Camera
- Settings
- Music
- Audible
- Venmo
Add back only the apps that serve a real purpose.
Ask yourself:
It's for calling, connecting, navigating, creating, and living.
OPTIONAL: Use a plain wallpaper, remove widgets, and turn off app badges for an even cleaner look.
WHAT TO DO
- Open Settings
- Tap Accessibility
- Tap Display & Text Size
- Tap Color Filters
- Turn on Color Filters
- Select Grayscale
WHY THIS MATTERS
Color is one of the strongest tools used to capture and hold your attention.
Grayscale removes visual stimulus and makes your phone feel more like a tool and less like entertainment.
It's one of the most powerful changes you can make.
WHAT TO DO
Turn off every notification that isn't essential.
KEEP:
- Calls
- Texts
- Calendar
REMOVE:
- Social media
- News alerts
- Shopping apps
- Promotions
- Breaking news
- "Recommended for you"
WHY THIS MATTERS
Most notifications are not urgent.
They're simply interruptions.
Every notification is someone else's agenda entering your day.
Your attention is valuable.
Protect it.
QUICK TEST
Ask yourself:
Would I drop what I'm doing if this notification came from a person standing next to me?
If not, turn it off.
OPTIONAL
Remove email entirely from your phone.
If that's not possible, keep only an email account that rarely receives important messages.
WHAT TO DO
Block the apps and websites that pull you in and keep you scrolling or searching.
If you can't use them with intention, remove access.
Make your distractions less accessible.
APP BLOCKING OPTIONS
SCREEN TIME(iPHONE)
- Digital Wellbeing (Android)
- Freedom
- Opal
- Focus Me
- Cold Turkey
BROWSER / WEBSITE BLOCKING
- Freedom
- 1Blocker
- NextDNS
- Hosts file (advanced)
Block at the device level, not just within the app.
COMMON TRIGGERS
- Social media apps
- Short-form video
- News sites
- Forums & communities
- Sports scores
- Online shopping
- Gambling
- Pornography
- Gaming
REMEMBER
The goal isn't perfection.The goal is reducing easy access to distraction.
You can always unblock something with intention.
THE STANDARD
If it's designed to capture attention, assume it's working against you. Block it.
It doesn't matter how you get to a boring phone.
Many digital wellness tools do a great job reducing distractions and screen time.
Samaras 16 is less about restricting apps and more about relocating the internet.