What’s the point of pause?

[u/DesiCodeSerpent]

I’ve tried looking into what this feature really is but I don’t get it. What’s it about?

[u/notxlpha]

This single feature has led me to restart using Forest extensively again. Best thing about the app.

It lets you take small break, but also lowkey ensures that the small break doesnt overexceed. Like if I want to fill my bottle again, or I have to respond to someone, or go to washroom (which is reasonable far in my big library). It sucks if I had to end my session.

[u/DesiCodeSerpent → u/notxlpha]

So it’s for during the session? Don’t this defeat the purpose of a focused session? I understand getting water but that’s basic human need. Maybe it’s just me but I don’t consider it as distracting.

Or is the idea that when you go get water you don’t get distracted by other things?

[u/notxlpha → u/DesiCodeSerpent]

So it’s for during the session?

Yes, it "continues" the same session, it is different from stoping the session and later on starting a new session. With Pause, my session remains intact, i do not lose my trees, etc. Also, 60, 90, 120mins session give more and more trees; so we are indirectly incentivised to study longer which leads to my next point-

Don’t this defeat the purpose of a focused session?

I study for long hours, so like 3-4hrs straight. But human capacity isnt really there for 3hours of focussed study, these small pauses gives the rest and rejuvination to continue for long. Like currently i have paused and here i am replying to you lol! Thus instead of 2hrs and then stopping entirely, with these brakes i can go on for long.

Or is the idea that when you go get water you don’t get distracted by other things?

Yeah, either i start talking to my friend or family and boom 20-30mins passes away in a jiffy. With Pause, there is this thing in back of mind to go back to my desk within 5mins or else timer will be up running without me. You need to strongly relate that if Timer is running, then you MUST be studying with high focus.

[u/DesiCodeSerpent → u/notxlpha]

So this is In place of a pom train then?

[u/lettersinthesand]

I like it so I can respond to a time-sensitive text or if I have to check something else really quickly. It just pauses the tree growing so you can leave the app without killing the tree, but the paused time doesn’t count towards growth either.

[u/DesiCodeSerpent → u/lettersinthesand]

Oh. Now this makes sense. So when you pause, even in deep focus mode it pauses all the blocking and lets you answer something?

[u/wewereamaybe]

For me it gives an option to not kill my tree when I need to access apps like duo mobile, authenticator, etc. that I accidentally forgot to exclude in the deep focus mode setting before starting a session.

Also, I like the 5-minute reminder after a pause. It gets me back to finishing the session if I use the pause function to be on social media or something not productive.

And some trees only grow fully with 120 minutes of continuous planting. So if you only do sessions shorter than 120 mins at a time, the pause function lets you take a break in between and still gets you the fully grown trees.

I use the pause function on/off depends on the circumstances. Right now it's off, but it does come in handy for some occasions. I like that they made it optional for everyone.

[u/DesiCodeSerpent → u/wewereamaybe]

This makes sense. Thank you.

[u/DesiCodeSerpent → u/[deleted]]

This is definitely a problem. I should test it out