Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#1

Post by risquer » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 12:15 PM UTC

i wanted to change the habit of reaching for my phone in the morning and doomscrolling away an hour so i built an app to help me. now i have to literally touch grass before accessing my most distracting apps

the app is built in swiftui, uses the screen time apis provided by apple and google vision to recognise grass or not

i'd love to get your thoughts on the concept.

Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass
touchgrass.now

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#2

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 12:15 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#3

Post by duxup » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:09 PM UTC

This is going to be rough up north where I am, too much snow.

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#4

Post by ewalk153 » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:10 PM UTC

Nice idea. Would be great to have a winter mode for us that can’t literally touch grass for 3+ months a year ;)

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#5

Post by 20wenty » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:12 PM UTC

I like the idea but it will be hard to build a moat -- if that's something you care about. How about making it more general? "touch grass", "feel sand between your fingers", "hug a tree" ...

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#6

Post by notachatbot123 » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:13 PM UTC

20wenty wrote: post #5

I like the idea but it will be hard to build a moat -- if that's something you care about. How about making it more general? "touch grass", "feel sand between your fingers", "hug a tree" ...

Thank you for providing a perfect comment to reply "touch grass" to.

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#7

Post by dudefeliciano » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:13 PM UTC

I love this, the internet needs more of these weird concept apps. As another commenter mentioned, perhaps this could be extended for people that don't have grass around them due to season/location? Touch snow, touch sand, etc

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#8

Post by camtarn » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:16 PM UTC

This is a hilarious concept and would probably genuinely help. Nicely done!

I used to have a similar issue with hiding inside all the time (during Covid times, of course) and to motivate myself to go outside, I started an Instagram of tiny little plants growing in cracks in the pavement. I tried to add a new tiny plant every day or two, which meant that I had to wander further and further afield to find a suitable specimen. It wasn't perfect, but was quite motivating.

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#9

Post by mateusfreira » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:17 PM UTC

Can we change it to unblock only when I do 10 pushups? I would love to get that to my Nephew and Nieces phone

Re: Show HN: I built an app to stop me doomscrolling by touching grass

#10

Post by simondanerd » Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 1:17 PM UTC

Is there an Android version coming soon?

Also it would be better if you kept Instagram uninstalled... I see it installing on the screenshot!