Project Girl 2 Woman, Author at ProjectGirl2Woman

5 Best Self-Improvement Apps in 2023

Choosing the right self-improvement apps for 2023 can be amazing for starting and finishing your year well.

In this guide, I ranked and reviewed the 5 best self-development apps, along with my top 1 choice so that you can pick the best one for yourself.

Want to get right to my top pick? My favorite self-improvement app for 2023 is Bookey.

According to statistics by rescuetime we spend around 3 hours and 15 minutes on our phones daily. If you are among the top 20% of users you’ll even exceed 4.5 hours.

Instead of getting lost on TikTok, why not try one of these self-improvement apps for a better life?

Whether you want to achieve new goals, need more motivation, want to be more productive, need a way to reduce some stress and work on your mental and physical health there will be the right app for you.

This guide will help you:

Find the best self-development app based on your needs
Show you the cost of the different apps (some are free)

Here are our top 5 picks for the best personal development app:

The 21 Days Challenge
Lumosity
Self Mentor
BestifyMe
Bookey

1. The 21 Days Challenge - By Kati and Lima (Free/ Android & Ios)

If you want to start or change your habits this app is right one for you.

This app is best for creating and changing your habits:

This app lets you create your own 21-day challenges or you can choose a premade challenge.
If you are a team player you can start a group challenge with friends or family.
Or, after earning some points, you can participate in a community challenge.
In the feed, you can message with fellow habit learners and get some inspiration.
In the app, you have the option to listen to some calming background music.
Last but not least you can create a reminder of the day.

Here is how to get started:

You can download the app on GooglePlay or in the AppleStore .
Chose your language, user name, and gender.
There will be a little tutorial that you can skip.

Price:

Free with a few Ads

Premium:

11.99 € per year / 1.19 € per month

The premium version gives you free wallpapers.

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7 ⭐

Google Rating: 4.8 ⭐

Our Rating: 4.5 ⭐

What I Like/Dislike About The 21 Days Challenge:

Like

You don’t need your e-mail to sign up. <3
The interface is simple and clean and there are a broad variety of premade challenges.
I love that you can interact with other community members in the feed.

Dislike

Everytime I accidentally click the feed feature an ad starts.
There is no overview of all the daily tasks. You have to go into every single challenge one by one

To sum it up The 21 Days Challenge is a great app to start a new habit. The style is simple and clean and the app brings a lot of joy.

2. Lumosity by Lumos Labs Inc (Android & Ios)

Train your brain

Ever felt your brain is getting a little rusty? In that case, lumosity is the right app for you. With many fun mini-games, you can train your brain, and improve your memory, attention span, flexibility, math skills, speed, and much more.

Key Features of Lumosity

Play 3 games per day in the free version.
Compare yourself with other users.
Check and improve your skills.

Here is how to get started:

You can download the app on GooglePlay or the AppleStore.
After a short introduction, you can chose the skills you’d like to improve eg.: memory, speed, math.
Next you have to sign up with either your google account, facebook or your e-mail.
After that the app will ask for your age and you are ready to sign up.
You are asked again to fill out some information including your gender, education, job and how you learned about the app (you can skip this step if you click next).
Next you’ll take a fit test.
Under games you can find the free games of the day or you can go premium and play all of the games.

Price:

3 games free per day

Premium:

59.99€ per year / 11.99€ per month

Promotion:

14-day free trial

Apple App Store Rating: 4.7 ⭐

Google Rating: 4.2 ⭐

Our Rating: 4.51 ⭐

What I Like/Dislike About Lumosity:

Like

The brain-training mini games are fun and engaging
I can see my focus improving.
There is a big variety of brain-training-games

Dislike

The paid version is really expensive.
You can’t get the statistics unless you get the paid version.
You need to play daily or you are set back to the beginning.

To sum it up Lumosity is a great way to train your brain. I’d go for the free version first. 3 games a day are free. The subscription is on the expensive side.

3. Self Mentor (Android)

Calm your mind and learn about yourself.

SelfMentor is an easy-to-use app that allows you to meditate, listen to calming music, and read self-development articles. It’s a simple, clean looking self improvement app.

Here are some of the key features:

Read articles and posts about self-improvement.
Get relaxed, listen to calming music and meditation videos.
Interact with the community through comments and reactions.

How to get started :

Download the android version of SelfMentor here.
Agree to their terms of service – Done ~

Price:

Free

Premium:

One time payment 2.79€

No advertisement
Unlimited access to all current and future features.

Like

The background sounds work even when I lock my phone
Fair price
New articles on a regular basis

Dislike

Only available for Android
Still, a pretty new app so there is not a lot of content yet

Google Rating: 4.6 ⭐

Our Rating: 4.7 ⭐

4. BestifyMe (Android)

For daily challenges and a relaxing morning routine

BestifyMe is similar to Self Mentor. You can read self-improvement articles and listen to calming music. In addition, it offers daily challenges and with the “Savers-program,” you can create your ideal morning routine.

Key features include:

Daily Challenges
Articles on self-development
Quotes
A morning routine plan following the book the miracle morning (It’s part of the premium plan but you can start a free 21-day trial).

Price:

Free Version

Premium:

12 months 1.49€ per month

6 months 1.99€ per month

1 month 2.99 per month

Premium Features:

Ad-free.
You’ll get access to premium articles.
You’ll have offline access.
And the best premium feature you’ll get access to the “Savers Morning Routine Plan.

Like

I love the daily challenges.
Right now the morning routine plan is free for 21 days.

Dislike

I’ve read there have been some payment issues.
It’s also only available for Android

Google Rating: 4.3 ⭐

Our Rating: 4.0 ⭐

BestifyMe is pretty similar to Self Mentor, maybe a little more advanced. I like the challenges and the morning routine. Looking at the features and the price I’d still recommend Self Mentor over BestifyMe

You can find BestifyMe here.

5. Bookey

Start reading more

Last but not least, Bookey is the perfect app if you want to read more, but don’t have enough time to read 300-page-long novels.

Key features:

You can read or listen to the summaries of well-known books.
Take a look at Mindmaps that describe the Key insights of the books.
You can quiz yourself on what you’ve learned.

Price:

Free Download

Premium:

46,99€ yearly

Promotion:

7-day free trial
Invite friends and get 20 days free premium after your friend signs up (This is our Bookey link) 😉

Like

I love that you can check out the app before purchasing it. Every day there is a book that you can check out for free.
You also have the option to watch an ad to unlock a book.
You can create a learning path on a subject that interests you.
There are many options to get free premium (Like joining discussions)
With premium, you can download your favorite books into your library.

Dislike

The summaries are at times a bit boring.

Apple Store Rating: 4.8 ⭐

Google Rating: 4.4 ⭐

Our Rating: 4.9 ⭐

Download the app for Android or Ios.

Summary

Let’s wrap it up. There are tons of interesting self improvement apps out there. Today we showed you 5 we’ve tested so far this year.

We hope you’ll find a new self-improvement app within this list.

Everyone has unique needs in an app. Maybe you like a low price, a simple and clean style.

What did you think of this list? Are there any apps you’d like us to mention? Let us know in the comments.

What to read next on ProjectGirl2Woman?

– The 8 Best Youtube Pomodoro Timers

– 58+ Goals in Life we all have.

– Best Self-Improvement Challenges

Liked the Post? Share it on Pinterest <3:

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13 Tips on how to focus on one thing at a time

Project Girl 2 Woman

Focus on one thing well, or on many things so so.

I sit down ready to start a new blog post.

*Bing* the sound of an incoming e-mail. Crap I still need to reply.

And suddenly the blog post gets postponed.

How often are you falling for distractions? I challenge you to write down every time you lose focus.

Do you think about other stuff each time you start working on something? Do you get sidetracked while you are on one task?

As a freelancer I have no set schedule, so it took me a while to create a productive work routine. I think routines and an organized life are really important to stay productive. The next weeks I’ll be sharing my personal tips that I’ve learned the past 6 months. 🙂 Enjoy Carina

Today we’ll do a few things that will help us stay tunnel-visioned and focused on one task at a time.

Tip one try Single-tasking: It is the opposite of multitasking. You take on one task at a time. If you focus on one thing at a time you’ll be able to focus more, be more productive, and achieve your goals faster. If you do too much at once you’ll get overwhelmed and give up.

(There are exceptions check out how to be more productive here)

Staying focused is difficult at times sometimes we have too much energy, sometimes too little. Sometimes we are emotional and sometimes the tasks are boring. Here are some methods I use to keep my mind from wandering or overloading myself with too many tasks.

1. We use the Pomodoro Technique

This is definitely one of our favorite focus methods. You set a timer for example for 25 minutes. During that time you can only work on one task. Next, you take a 5-minute break to rest your brain. We did a whole post on the Pomodoro Technique here. Try our favorite Youtube Pomodoro Timers or Online and Offline Pomodoro Timers for maximum focus.

2. Use Background Noise To Focus on One Thing at a Time

I am using instrumental music as we speak. I try to use the same song each time I start work. This way, I get into “work mode” much faster. I hear the song and I immediately know it’s time to work. White noise drowns out distracting sounds.

I really enjoy productive work beats, lofi music, or ghibli music. 🙂 Are you a ghibli fan?

Here are some more background noise ideas:

The sound of rain, thunder, and wind
Birds chirping
Coffee shop sounds, restaurant sounds, and library sounds
A crackling fire
Binaural Beats
Medieval, Classical, or Fantasy Music
Modern instrumental Music
Lofi (eg. christmas lofi)
Hip hop beats
Jazz, Blues
Dark Academia

After a while, I can turn off the music and work without it.

3. Get A Separate Space for Work and Fun

This is a game-changer. Truly.

I enjoy chatting. So when I work close to someone. I procrastinate big time. Also people come and ask for help and I suck at saying no.

Having a separate space for fun and for work will help you shift your mind from laziness to work. Even better if it’s a place where no one will bother you.

Create an area where you do all your work-related tasks. Keep all the necessary tools you’ll need at hand. This way you won’t have to get up while working. Also, prepare a cup of water and some healthy snacks for your work session.

Here are some home office inspirations. 🙂 If you share your workspace with other people:

Set clear boundaries. Let them know, when you need to focus on a single task.
Start work before they come or work after they have left to get some uninterrupted time.
If they are noisy bring headphones.

4. Make sure you have all the information you need

Nothing breaks focus like searching for a document. Prepare all necessary information before you start work. Best yet go digital with your documents. Not only will you save paper you’ll also be able to find information faster. To focus on one thing at a time keep documents you don’t need, out of sight.

5. Fresh air

A Research by Harvard University’s Healthy Buildings states that good ventilation can give you as much as 8% productivity boost. Make sure to open the windows from time to time to get some fresh air. I certainly forget to do that during work sessions.

6. Get enough sleep

Sleep deprivation makes people unfocused and less able to concentrate. If you’re having trouble focusing, try getting at least seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep deprivation causes many problems including poor concentration, memory loss, and even depression. If you’re having trouble staying focused at work, try going to bed earlier and waking up later.

7. Eat breakfast

Eating breakfast helps keep you focused throughout the day. Try eating something high-protein (like eggs) and low-carbohydrate (like oatmeal). Heavy meals make me feel drowsy right away.

8. Exercise regularly

Exercise boosts blood flow and oxygen levels in your brain, making it easier to think clearly. A good workout also increases endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. Exercise is a great way to release stress and tension.

The easiest exercise my former boss swore by is taking a walk during lunch break. Try it. Walk briskly for 20 minutes or our Walking Challenge. You’ll feel much better afterward. I also feel that it’s easier to self-motivate after a workout.

9. Take breaks

If you find yourself staring off into space, take a break. Go outside, do some deep breathing exercises, or walk around for five minutes. When you return to work, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

10. Drink water

Drinking plenty of water keeps your brain sharp. Dehydration is a real focus killer. According to a study by Shaun K Riebl and Brenda M. Davy you are impairing your cognitive abilities with as little as 1-2% of water loss.

11. Avoid caffeine

I know I might get some enemies. Hear me out. Caffeine can jitter your system making you unfocused. For people like me let’s opt for herbal teas or decaf coffee, when we need to work.

12. Meditation

Meditation is a great way to clear your mind and relax. If you have been struggling with focusing, meditation may help you get back to where you were before. There are many different types of meditation, but they all work similarly.

You sit down comfortably and close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. As you breathe in, imagine yourself filling up with positive energy. When you exhale, let go of any negative thoughts or feelings. Try not to think about anything else while meditating. Instead, focus on your breath.

13. Deep Breathing

Deep breathing is a great way to calm your nerves and relax. Sit down and place both hands on your knees. Take slow, deep breaths in and out through your nose. Inhale slowly and deeply, hold for five seconds, then exhale slowly. Repeat this cycle until you feel relaxed.

Why can't I stay focused on one thing at a time?

Here are the top reasons you might be unfocused:

You’re not getting enough sleep.
You’re stressed out and worried. Stress affects our bodies physically and mentally. When we feel overwhelmed, we tend to lose focus and become less productive. All that worrying takes energy.

Your phone or tablet is distracting you
You are super excited
You’re eating junk food. Do you get tired after a heavy meal? That’s quite normal. Eating unhealthy foods can make it harder to concentrate and focus. Instead of grabbing fast food, choose healthier options. Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, and beans before working. Avoid sugary drinks and processed snacks while working.

You are multitasking
Interruptions a breaking your concentration
You feel strong emotions. Are you sad, angry, or scared? Strong emotions can make you lose focus too.

Other people are distracting you
Your tasks are too boring. Are you working on something that makes you frustrated, because it’s so repetitive and boring? Maybe the reason why you can’t stay on topic are non-engaging tasks.

When do you struggle the most with focusing on one thing at time? What are your favorite focus tips? Share them in the comments. 🙂 Make sure not to miss an update. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media. Here are some posts that migh interest you:

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The Ultimate Decluttering Checklist – A Guide To More Productivity

Project Girl 2 Woman

Self Care starts with a Clean environment

The feeling of a freshly decluttered home feels like a brand-new start. We don’t even realize how much all the clutter is burdening us until it’s gone.

So, for the last week, deadline given by my mum’s sudden announcement of a visit, I’ve been giving my home a deep cleanse and declutter. I hadn’t even realized how much stuff has found its way into my home the past year since I’ve moved in.

By the end of this post you’ll know exactly:

– what to do the next 30 days to declutter your home

– get a free step-by-step decluttering checklist
– no longer get overwhelmed by all your stuff

Here is why you should declutter and how to do it! Especially since Christmas and Christmas visitors are around the corner.

Why you should Declutter:

“Clutter attracts more clutter” – happysimplemom.

It’s simple to put another container in the corner when there are already container friends waiting. It’s much harder to disturb “virgin space”.

I think a messy place can cause a lot of discomfort when you invite friends or family over. Especially when they are of the super tidy kind. Not that I would say clutter is something to be embarrassed about. We all have busy lives. And sometimes other issues are more important.

Easier and less to clean. Of course, to declutter shouldn’t just be done for others. Decluttering means a lot less dusting and cleaning. The less you have the simpler to clean. Imagine swiping a surface and there are 20 trinkets. It’s a lot easier if there are just 1 or 2 picture frames. It’s all about making your life easier.

It’ll get a lot easier to find things. Sometimes I am a little airheaded. I put my keys or glasses somewhere. Ever had to search your glasses without glasses on lol? On a clean surface it’s a lot easier to find your stuff.

Clutter causes stress and reduces your focus. We are already working from home most of the days. That situation is already stressful enough. So let’s remove some stress by decluttering! Here is a post WHY MESS CAUSES STRESS.

What makes your place look cluttered:

In order to declutter you need to know what makes your place look cluttered in the first place so I checked out 25 things that make your home look cluttered by thesimplicityhabit. Check the link for the whole post! To sum it up the following points are often at fault for making our home cluttered:

Overfilled bookcases
Over accessorizing
Items on surfaces
Things without a home
Supplies on tables
Mail on the counter
Papers and magnets on the refrigerator
Laundry left sitting out
Oversized organizers
Paperwork
Things overflowing from their designated space
Trash and empty boxes
Magazines and newspapers
Mismatched items
Shoes
Knick-Knacks

How to Declutter Efficiently:

Now that we know why we should declutter and what makes our home look cluttered. Let’s check out some strategies to declutter.

The Flat Surface Method

Haha no idea what to call it. In any case this is my strategy:

I take all the stuff that is lying around at my place or doesn’t have a fixed space and take it to my biggest empty surface. By the end all my clutter is on the table. (If the table is not big enough you might use the floor).
After emptying all the messy looking cupboards and shelves I give them a thorough swipe.
Next, I prepare some containers or shoe boxes to use as organizers and a big bin or plastic bags for the trash.
Things I haven’t used in a long time are either thrown away, recycled or brought for storage to the cellar. As a help I go through the following questions:

Did I use the item within the last year?
When will I use it the next time?
Could someone else I know need it?
Do I just keep it for sentimental reasons?
When did it expire?
Is it broken, if so can I fix it, is it worth fixing?

Generally, I have difficulties throwing away stuff. But since I also don’t buy “useless” stuff my place isn’t very cluttered. And I try to declutter at least once a year. It took me a few tries to throw away a wrapper my grandmother gave me before she passed away. Don’t be too hard on yourself. If you can’t throw it this time maybe the next time you declutter you will be ready. Each time a little.

Whatever is left gets sorted into the cupboards. I try to have a fixed place for everything.
Last step is maintenance. And that needs a lot of discipline. When you get something out put it back immediately after using it. If not the surfaces will start to get cluttered again.

While I do this, I watch some decluttering TV show or Cleaning show. It helps me stay motivated.

The Basket Method – By Happysimplemom

You can also use the method mentioned by Happysimplemom. For this take a laundry basket and start in one room. Grab everything off any flat surface and put it in the basket. Then, start putting things in their designated place.

The KonMari Method by Mari Kondo

The Konmari Method is a simple method developed by Mari Kondo, where you tackle your clutter according to stuff category instead of room by room.

The categories are:

Clothes
Books
Papers
Miscellaneous Items
Sentimental Items

According to Mari Kondo you first have to commit yourself to tidying up and next imagine your ideal situation. You start off by sorting and throwing out all items that don’t spark joy in you. Before you throw them away you should thank each item sincerely for being of service . When discarding you follow the order as mentioned above.

Some Sorting Tips by becomingminimalist

Start with 5 minutes a day:	Start simple when you are new to decluttering
One item at a time:	When you declutter, throw away one piece at a time. If you remove one or 2 items a day that’s a lot in a year.
Try to fill 1 trash bag:	Try to fill a trash bag as fast as you can. You can even make it a family challenge.
Take the 12-12-12 challenge:	Throw 12 items away, donate 12 items, and put 12 items back to their places
Get help from a friend:	Have someone over you trust and help you clean out some stuff. They won’t have your emotional attachment and bring a fresh few viewpoints.

If you want to read more tips, click the link above!

Here is a List of items that can be decluttered:

Kitchenware
Books
Room Decoration e.g. Candles, Trinkets Vases
Seasonal decorations
Magnets
Gadgets
Craft supplies
Unsorted Photos
CDs, DVDs, and Games
Computer equipment
Furniture
Clothes
Jewelry and Purses
Bedding
Bathroom utensils
Office supplies eg. Pens
Cleaning supplies
Old batteries
Manuals
Magazines, Newspapers, Coupons
Board games
Toys
Food
Documents
Pet supplies
Plastic bags
Sport Supplies
Plants
Boxes

Read: 7 Simple Steps to Organize and Declutter your Notebook

30 Day Declutter & Cleaning Plan

Click to buy our step by step 30-day declutter and cleaning plan. It’s a cleaning checklist and right now it’s only $1.99.

So that’s it for today. If you want to get informed about the latest updates, please subscribe to our newsletter. Last but not least we update every Wednesday and every Saturday. So, it would be great to see you again. Also, for updates follow us on:

Love from Germany,

Julia and Carina

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