I have ADHD and prompts/block times really help me to manage my digital wellbeing, so I’m really pleased to see that GNOME has added a “wellbeing” setting that can help me visualise my computer usage (I have looked at the last month’s worth of data and I’m shocked how much time I’m spending on my PC). Unfortunately, the current screen limit options don’t work for me; currently there’s only the option to set a very simply daily limit by unit of time.
Recently I have been using Leechblock to manage my time on websites (it’s helped me to drastically cut down on time on Reddit, Facebook and Youtube), and I’d like to see similar options in GNOME. There are a few features that are absolutely critical for me:
- The ability to set specific block times (e.g. no computer use between 10pm and 8am on weekdays; no limits on weekends). This would help me to combat my distractability.
- A “reminder” feature that I can either run by itself, or combine with the block feature. This would help me to combat my timeblindness.
- The ability to only apply the reminder or the block to specific programs (e.g. in my case I’d really love to be able to apply it just to Steam). I personally know which applications I do and don’t need the assistance with.
There are also some nice-to-haves:
- Calendar integration, so that I can make the restrictions stricter during exam periods for example
- Ability to apply to specific websites, not just executables. Currently Leechblock does this but it would be cool to see the feature directly in GNOME. It’s also a feature in twert.
- ActivityWatch integration, so that the “time spent on PC” graph can be exploded into fine-grain data (kind of like how GNOME disk usage analyser does it). ActivityWatch mostly supports Wayland already via the awatcher project.
Some people think that features like these are silly, and that people like me should just learn self-control, but that’s really not how ADHD works – these are tools that can help neurodiverse people to self-regulate effectively. Removing distractions from the environment in particular is a key technique that works wonders for me, but my computer is really difficult to “remove” from my life, given that I need to also do work on it. I need to be able to hide the distractions on my computer from myself so that I can work productively. Some people think “you’ll just find a way around it”, but that’s not true in my experience either – I could easily uninstall Leechblock but I don’t, because I really like the accountability it provides to me.
Anyway, it’s great to see Wellbeing make its way into the settings – I’m hoping some of these improvements follow on so that I can really make full use of it.