🗂️ 5 small habits that saved me 10+ hours last week

Hi friends,

Last week, I sent an email about how I tracked every hour of my week and wow, so many of you replied to say it resonated with you.

I think that email hit home because it wasn't just about time... It was about attention. And more specifically: how much of it we're giving away without even noticing.

Right now, I’m deep into a book called The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (I’ll definitely send a whole email once I finish it).

Because yep, I’m Gen Z. Born in 2000.

And this book is basically a psychological profile of… me and my whole generation.

It explains why we’re so anxious, why our focus feels so fragmented, and how growing up online has shaped our brains in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

That’s where this email comes in.

Today I want to share 5 small habits I started implementing, simple things that helped me reclaim my energy and save at least 10 hours last week.

(And no, they’re not the usual “wake up at 5 AM” kind of habits.)

I KEEP “DO NOT DISTURB” ON 24/7

Instead of letting my phone decide when I pay attention, I keep it on Do Not Disturb by default.

No notifications unless I choose to check.

→ Time saved: I stop losing 10 minutes here and there to constant context switching.

I CLEANED UP MY YOUTUBE SUBSCRIPTIONS

I unsubscribed from creators I don’t watch anymore and stopped scrolling the homepage so often.

Now I mostly check the subscriptions tab and close the app when I’m done.

→ Time saved: No algorithm spirals, no mental clutter, just intentional content.

I STOPPED MULTITASKING (BECAUSE IT DOESN’T WORK)

Multitasking is just fast-switching and it burns a lot of energy.

Now I give full focus to one thing at a time, especially during work blocks.

→ Time saved: I finish tasks faster and feel calmer while doing them.

I STARTED BATCH-ANSWERING MESSAGES

Instead of replying to DMs, WhatsApp, and emails as they come in, I set one block (e.g. 3–4 PM) to respond.

→ Time saved: I’m not switching contexts all day. My brain stays focused.

I PAUSE BEFORE OPENING INSTAGRAM AND ASK: WHY?

When I feel the urge to scroll, I check in with myself first.

Am I bored? Lonely? Tired? Could I text a friend instead of watching their Stories?

→ Time saved: I avoid unconscious scrolling and meet the real need behind the habit.

Talk soon,
Veronika 🤍

P.S. I’d love to know: what’s one habit you’ve picked up lately that helps you protect your energy or time?