One of the first questions users face when launching 96 Squares is deceptively simple: How should I categorize my time?
It turns out, this can be a surprisingly personal and surprisingly tricky decision. The categories you choose shape how useful the app will be — not just for tracking time, but for practicing mindfulness, reflecting on your days, and recognizing patterns in your behavior.
Choose categories that are too broad, and your entries won’t tell you much. Too narrow, and logging your time quickly becomes a chore. And let’s face it — no one wants to be asked to type out a dozen custom labels the first time they open the app.
The Solution: Predefined “Category Packets”
To make onboarding easier and less overwhelming, I plan to offer a few simple “category packets” — predefined sets of categories that new users can choose from.
The idea is to start small and grow from there. Right now, I’m thinking of offering three levels of depth:
1. Minimalist: Mindful vs. Mindless
At its core, 96 Squares is about increasing mindfulness. So why not start with the most fundamental distinction?
- Mindful
- Mindless
⠀This approach isn’t about judgment — it’s about awareness. Over time, you might begin to notice when you’re acting with intention and when you’re drifting. It’s perfect for people who want to keep things simple and focus on the bigger picture.
2. Balanced: Broad Life Categories
For those who want more detail without too much overhead, a balanced set of categories could look like this:
- Sleep
- Work
- Relationships
- Personal
- Chores
- Leisure
- Waste
This lets you see where your time is going across the major areas of life. It’s a great middle ground between mindfulness and practical time analysis.
3. Detailed: With Subcategories
And for those who really want to dig in, you can go further with subcategories. For example:
- Rest
- Sleep
- Meditation
- Work
- Deep work
- Meetings
- Emails/admin
- Relationships
- Family
- Friends
- Personal
- Exercise
- Hobbies
- Learning
- Chores
- Cleaning
- Errands
- Leisure
- TV/YouTube
- Gaming
- Social media
⠀This approach offers rich insights — at the cost of a little extra effort in tracking.
Start Where You Are
The beauty of 96 Squares is that it doesn’t lock you into one system. You can start simple, reflect, and adjust. What matters most is not perfect categorization — it’s building awareness of where your time goes and whether that aligns with how you want to live.
I’ll continue testing and refining these starter sets. But however you choose to track your day, I hope 96 Squares helps you pause, notice, and realign — one square at a time.