Five Reasons for My Initial Discontent

While the Apple Watch boasts impressive functionality, it ultimately led me to take it off for a while due to several frustrations.

1. Battery Life: The battery performance was my primary concern. To combat this, I started charging it briefly when I get into bed and finishing the charge first thing in the morning. This way, I can easily enjoy a full day of use without interruptions, as it charges while I sip my morning coffee.
2. Distraction Level: I needed my Apple Watch to be less of a distraction. I sought a quicker way to access what I needed without the hassle of navigating through multiple apps or settings.

Here are three pivotal adjustments I made to improve my Apple Watch experience:

Section 1.1: Redesigning the Watch Face

Initially, I opted for the most elaborate watch faces, wanting to display as many complications as possible for quick access to apps. My previous setup looked like this:

This face featured various apps like my workout tracker, weather, date, and more, providing quick access but ultimately creating a colorful and overwhelming distraction.

Now, I’ve shifted to a minimalist watch face with only two complications: the date and a timer:

You might wonder how I transitioned from a busy face to such simplicity. The answer lies in two additional changes.

Section 1.2: Alphabetical App List

I never appreciated the app grid layout on the Apple Watch. Although it was a creative use of the small screen, I often found myself struggling to locate the apps I needed. To simplify, I switched to an alphabetical app list in the settings. This not only improved the aesthetics but also made finding apps effortless, provided I remembered their names:

Subsection 1.2.1: Reimagining the Dock

The third adjustment involved how I utilized the Dock. Initially, I kept it set to show my recently used apps, which left me feeling uncertain about what would appear. Instead, I've tailored the Dock to include my top 10 favorite apps, allowing for quick access and maintaining a serene watch face. When I press the side button, I can effortlessly find the app I need, and for those rare occasions when I need something else, it’s easy to locate in the alphabetical list.

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This video explores a minimalist Apple Watch setup, showcasing how to reduce distractions and optimize your user experience.

Learn how to download a unique, ultra-minimal Apple Watch face and follow a tutorial to customize your watch's appearance.