15 comments

  • apothegm 4 hours ago ago

    Relatable.

    I’d use a tool like that if it could detect video calls in progress and not lock the computer while that’s happening.

    Current plan is to acquire a loud and obnoxious physical timer and place it somewhere I have to get out of the chair to turn off.

  • dyingkneepad 2 days ago ago

    I have the opposite problem: I have to force myself to not take so many breaks!

  • gethly 3 hours ago ago

    This happens only if i am in the zone or working on something exciting. If that is the case, i absolutely do not want to break that streak for any reason whatsoever. Maybe you're a junior dev, but in time, these periods will become more rare and hard to come by. So enjoy it while you can.

  • JohnFen 2 days ago ago

    I don't do this to force me to take breaks, but it does that as a side-effect. I am constantly drinking plain water while I'm working, which makes me get up to relieve myself every couple of hours.

  • WheelsAtLarge 2 days ago ago

    I wrote a script that set an X countdown time to shutdown. The script gave a warning at five minutes and 1 minute until shutdown. Once I set it I could not stop it. It would load automatically at boot time. It worked rather well until I decided to stop using it. I don't have a solution for giving up. :)

    • glidea 2 days ago ago

      Yeah I don't think any tool can fully solve this – it's ultimately a willpower thing.

      the tool's job is to add friction, not to be unbreakable. Even if you bypass it sometimes, if it stops you from staying up late a few more times per month, that's a win

      Curious – what made you stop using your script?

      • WheelsAtLarge 2 days ago ago

        I had a deadline to meet. I took it off "for a bit" but never put it back.

  • vmt-man a day ago ago

    I use classic pomodoro technique :) It helps even for my back.

  • dennisjoseph 2 days ago ago

    I cook meals and do work in parallel.. you'll be forced to take breaks, to check on the steam, oven, air frier, marination etc.

  • al_borland 2 days ago ago

    Drink a lot of water. The bladder can only be ignored for so long.

    • glidea 2 days ago ago

      Honestly, this is probably the most reliable method. Biology > willpower.

      I've tried the water trick but then I just hold it until I "finish this one thing"... which is the same problem.

      • apothegm 4 hours ago ago

        You also have to remember to pause to drink…

  • hxugufjfjf 19 hours ago ago

    A dog actually works for me

  • abstractspoon 2 days ago ago

    I have a cat

    • glidea 2 days ago ago

      The ultimate interrupt-driven system. No snooze button. LoL..