Single-Tab Focus
visual clutter is mental clutter
A wall of open tabs feels productive and works against you. Single-tab focus is the simple discipline of closing everything except the one thing you’re working on — turning your screen from a buffet of distractions into a single plate.
Why it works
Every open tab is an unfinished loop your brain keeps half-tracking, and switching between them leaves “attention residue” — part of your mind stays stuck on the last thing even after you move on. Closing tabs down to one frees up working memory and removes the one-click escape routes that pull you off task.
Who popularised it
The cost of switching is captured by the concept of “attention residue,” coined by researcher Sophie Leroy, whose work showed that jumping between tasks leaves a lingering drag on the next one.
When to use it
- Before any session of focused work.
- When you catch yourself tab-hopping.
- For reading or writing that needs sustained attention.
Tips
If you need tabs for later, bookmark them or drop them in a “parking lot” note, then close them. Out of sight, out of mind — in the good way.
Related
Curious about the supplement side? Read nootropics for focus, browse all our focus & attention guides, or put this into practice in the Squiggle app.
This guide is general education, not medical advice. For anything specific to your health, talk to a qualified healthcare professional.