StayFocusd for Chrome

From endlessly scrolling social media, cat videos, memes to breaking headlines and stormy updates, sometimes you may rightfully feel that you’re on a digital rollercoaster when browsing the web.

Sure, you may learn something new or brighten your mood, but it becomes a problem when it interferes with your work or school. StayFocusd is a Chrome extension designed to help you manage online distractions easier.

After a swift installation, the add-on opens the Settings page to set everything up. I added groups for the websites I typically use, so that I can block them all at the same time with just one click. I simply created a group and then proceeded to include website URLs. If you already have a list for the latter, you can just paste it directly.

If you feel that you can’t focus as you keep opening up various pages to check out a meme or read an update on a story, then consider using the Nuclear option. You can configure the option from the Settings to include all site and content or include exception or partial blocks.

It is worth noting that in the end, the extension or any other tool for that matter, can’t prevent you from going to the Settings page and unblocking everything. While StayFocusd provides restrictions and limitations, it's still possible to override them if you choose to do so.

Ultimately, it's about building good habits and making a conscious effort to prioritize your work over distractions, even when the option to unblock sites is available. To help you get a clue about how you are spending your days on the web, you can consider using the dashboard, as it neatly displays the exact time you spend on each website.