(And Why You Might Want to Try Them Too)
We live in a world where your phone buzzes more than your brain does. And while I love tech — I’m a computer science student, after all — I’ve also learned that without a few ground rules, it’s easy to slide straight into burnout. Not the "I'm a little tired" kind. I’m talking about the everything-is-too-much, I-want-to-give-up kind.
We live in a world where your phone buzzes more than your brain does. And while I love tech — I’m a computer science student, after all — I’ve also learned that without a few ground rules, it’s easy to slide straight into burnout. Not the "I'm a little tired" kind. I’m talking about the everything-is-too-much, I-want-to-give-up kind.
So, here are the tech rules I personally follow to stay productive without falling apart.
1. No Screens After 9 PM
1. No Screens After 9 PM
This one changed everything.
I used to scroll endlessly before bed — TikTok, Reddit, YouTube — you name it. But I noticed how wired I felt even after lying in bed for an hour. Now I have a hard cutoff. At 9 PM, screens go off. No exceptions.
That one rule alone gave me better sleep, better mornings, and surprisingly, more clarity during the day.
2. One Hour of Silence Every Day
2. One Hour of Silence Every Day
No screens. No noise. Just me, myself, and I.
Every day I block out one hour as a “silent hour.” I don't touch my laptop. My phone goes on airplane mode. Sometimes I journal, sometimes I walk, and sometimes I just stare out the window and think. Sounds simple, but this hour is where most of my best ideas (and solutions) come from.
3. Feeling Burnt Out? Step Away First, Not Last
3. Feeling Burnt Out? Step Away First, Not Last
I’ve been there — staring at a bug I can’t fix, or something not working the way I expected. You think: “I’ll push through.” But that’s usually when burnout hits.
Now, when I feel that tightness in my chest, that “this is too much” wave coming — I step away. Not because I’m weak. But because taking a break early means I don’t break down later.
4. Mute What Doesn’t Matter
4. Mute What Doesn’t Matter
If a notification isn’t urgent, it’s off. I don’t need my phone pinging because someone posted a new meme. Or worse — my email refreshing every 30 seconds.
Silencing unnecessary alerts helps me stay focused on what I chose to do, not what the algorithm thinks I should be doing.
5. Work on One Screen. Play on Another. Never Mix.
5. Work on One Screen. Play on Another. Never Mix.
Since I use two monitors, I’ve made it a habit to separate my intent. One screen is for work: code, documents, research. The other is for background noise — a chill video, a playlist, maybe a podcast.
This physical boundary helps me stay mentally organized. If I’m on my main screen, I’m in flow mode. If I wander to the other screen, I know I’m drifting — and I can correct the course fast.
6. If It’s Not Working, Shut It Down (Mentally and Literally)
6. If It’s Not Working, Shut It Down (Mentally and Literally)
This might be the most important rule. When a task or project isn’t going well, instead of spiraling, I shut everything down.
Laptop? Closed. Wi-Fi? Off. Lights? Dimmed.
Sometimes you don’t need a new strategy — you just need stillness. When I return later, I usually find the solution was either simple… or not worth stressing about in the first place.
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
Burnout doesn’t announce itself — it creeps in. That’s why having personal tech rules isn’t optional anymore. These aren’t rigid systems or productivity hacks. They’re just reminders that I'm human — not a machine.
If you’ve ever felt like tech is running your life instead of enhancing it, maybe it’s time to write your own rules too.
Even one small boundary could change how you feel by the end of the day.