Zoning

If you’ve ever struggled to stay focused while working or felt unproductive in a space meant for relaxation, the idea of “activity-based spaces” or “zoning” might resonate with you. It’s the concept of creating dedicated spaces for specific activities—like an office for work, a gym for exercising, or a workbench for tinkering. Zoning doesn’t just apply to physical spaces though, it can extend to devices and tools as well. That’s what I realized when I unconsciously turned my MacOS devices into my "work zones" and my Windows PC into my "relaxation zone."

MacOS being my work zone

When I started my professional developer career, I was given an old MacBook Pro.

For three years, that MacBook was my daily driver for Unity development at work. At home, though, I had a Windows desktop primarily used for gaming with friends. Occasionally, I’d dabble in side projects on it, but they never held my attention the way a quick game did.

Things changed when I decided to focus on mobile game development. I bought a personal MacBook Pro, which became my go-to for learning web development, iOS game design, and other creative projects. Something about being on my Mac made me less tempted to open games or scroll through social media, I was there to work.

It wasn’t until much later that I realized I had unintentionally turned MacOS into my "work zone" and Windows into my "relax zone." They weren’t just operating systems anymore and had become mental cues for productivity or leisure.

Realizing I need two computers

This realization hit me hardest during my winter break. I wanted to work on some new project ideas but found myself constantly distracted on my Windows machine. Reddit, YouTube, gaming—it was all too accessible. My Windows PC wasn’t just a computer, it was a gateway to distraction heaven. Fortunately, I had another option. I unearthed my old M1 Mac Mini from a box after years of neglect, plugged it in, updated the software, and got it running. My monitor has a built in KVM, so the only physical change for me is that my keyboard layout shifts a bit between operating systems. Same peripherals, desk, office, and space. The real difference now is whether I wanted to be in "Work mode" or "Relax mode".

Within a day, I launched this blog. Even if this blog is still pretty barebones. Later that week, I also made more progress on a Unity game idea than I had in a month of writing its Game Design Document. Switching to a dedicated work computer made all the difference.

Working on projects part time

So far, this "zoning by device" strategy has been a game changer. When I’m on my Mac Mini, I focus on making progress—whether it’s writing a blog post, coding for my game, or updating this site. When it’s time to relax, I can switch to my Windows machine guilt-free, knowing I’ve already been productive.

Will this system be sustainable long-term? I think it will, but only time will tell. With this blog, I hope to document my progress and reflect on whether this separation helps me achieve my goals.

If you’re struggling to balance work and play, I encourage you to try zoning your devices or spaces, it might surprise you how effective it can be.