A couple of years ago I took the decision to limit my home screen to eight apps. The goal was to limit my the apps I use on a daily basis to just the essential ones.

With eight apps on my home screen I wouldn't be spending time looking for those apps I rarely use or being distracted by other apps. I would unlock my phone, do what I need to do and then put it down.

It started well but over time, the number of apps on the home screen gradually grew and grew until I had two screens filled with apps.

Since the start of the year I've been trying to get the number of apps on my home screen back down to just eight apps. Last weekend I finally got down to my target number. Here's the list of apps I have now on my home screen:

1. Timepage
2. Todoist
3. Path
4. Overcast
5. Day One
6. Twitter
7. Instapaper
8. Instagram

I stick to Apple's own offerings for communication using Messages, Phone, Mail and Safari. I've tried different apps to do each of these, but Apple's own apps are proven apps that meet all my needs. These sit on the menu bar at the bottom of the screen.

Technology is great, but it can start becoming a hindrance if it isn't kept under control. For me, eight apps is enough.