Chrome Extensions to declutter your digital life
Reduce distractions and eliminate unnecessary features on websites.
Oct 9, 2024, 12:00 AM
The internet and social media aren't all bad when used intentionally.
You can learn new things on YouTube, connect with mentors on Twitter, and unlock opportunities like building a brand and audience online.
As a content creator, it's helpful to learn from and be inspired by others in the same space, but I too fall into the trap of overconsumption.
I want to share 5 browser extensions that have helped me reduce distractions and enhance my learning.
1. News Feed Eradicator
This extension removes the most addicting part of social media like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
You might have guessed it from the name, it’s the feed.
Instead of delivering you an endless stream of content, it replaces it with a random inspirational quote.
The best part is that you can still use the other functionalities as usual.
So, if your friend sends you something or you’re posting something yourself, you won’t end up scrolling for an hour.
2. Unhook for YouTube
Unhook is a browser extension that removes YouTube distractions, including the homepage, shorts, recommendations, and more.
It provides extensive controls and fine-tuning to customize your YouTube experience with only the features you need.
Now every time I go to YouTube, I use the search bar to find what I need, choose a video, and that's it.
No more falling into the rabbit hole of recommended videos.
3. Prod Extension
Prod is an all-in-one tool to block distractions while browsing.
Partly, it serves as a lighter alternative to Unhook for YouTube. It includes essential options such as hiding Shorts, Recommended videos, and Comments.
The other useful toggles are grayscale mode and blocking sites. They help you say no to going on distracting sites or brightly colored advertisements that can easily derail your focus sessions.
Lastly, it includes a timer feature that allows you to commit to turning on the options above.
4. Minimal Theme for Twitter/X
Similar to Unhook for YouTube, this browser extension provides a comprehensive set of controls for customizing your Twitter/X experience.
You can remove unused tabs from navigations such as Jobs, Communities, and other things like engagements and promoted posts.
To help you consume content from sources you trust instead of algorithm-driven ones, you can set it to always display the “Following” feed instead of the “For You” feed.
If you’re also a content writer, you’ll appreciate the Zen Writer Mode, which literally strips away everything else except the writing area.
5. One Sec
One Sec is a browser extension that takes over your screen when you open a pre-selected list of distracting websites.
It blocks access for a few seconds and then asks if you want to continue.
With faster internet connections and devices, it's easier than ever to slip into distractions out of habit. This often happens without much thought when we're just trying to get work done online.
This brief pause helps you consciously choose your response, or as the app calls itself, a "speed bump" for distracting websites.
Bonus: Boost in Arc Browser
Arc is a browser I've been using for over a year now.
On the topic of decluttering our internet use, Arc has a neat feature called Boost, which allows you to edit and customize the look of a website.
I'm not particularly interested in changing the color and fonts of websites, but I find the "Zap" function of Boost especially useful. It allows you to click on any component or section of a website to hide it instantly.
I use this "Zap" feature in addition to the browser extensions mentioned above, eliminating any other unnecessary features or distractions on a website.
Click here to learn how to create a Boost and visit the Boost Gallery to see what others members have created.
I hope these tools help you harness the benefits of the internet's abundant learning materials and opportunities without falling prey to distractions.
