FAQ

Choose a category to learn more about Momentary and how it works.

Why are so many people joining Momentary?
Momentary is a great way to recognize and remember all the good things that happen to you. With all the pressures of modern living, it's easy to forget that most of us are extremely fortunate. Momentary helps you savor all the wonderful moments that make up your life.
How does it work?
When you sign up, we will send you 2-3 messages a day asking you to stop to recognize something positive about your day. You can view all of your responses on a private page on our web site.

We're currently working on improvements to our service, and our next update will allow you to:
  1. set preferences for when and how you receive messages
  2. edit your journal and upload photos
  3. share your journal with friends (or keep it private)

Please let us know if you have ideas about how we can improve Momentary.

Isn't this all a little corny?
Yes.
How much does it cost?
A year-long subscription to Momentary costs $20, but - for a very short time - we are offering Momentary service for free. Standard messaging rates apply to the texts you send or receive.
Where did the idea come from?
Alcohol.

Tim DeRoche was out drinking with his friend Jaime Kurtz, a psychology professor who currently teaches at Reed College in Portland. Tim and Jaime were geeking out on all of the new research on happiness. Over and over, scientists have shown that people who stay focused on the positive aspects of their daily lives are happier, more productive, and even live longer.

And - bing! - there was the idea. Instead of using technology to increase your stress level, let's use technology to help you recognize and remember all the good things that happen to you.

A few months later, Momentary was born.

If you want to learn more about happiness research, read this study on happy nuns in Milwaukee. Or take a look at this study where scientists magically turned unlucky people into lucky people.
How can we contact you?
The best way to reach us is via email. We promise to respond in 24 hours.

help [at] momentary.org - to report a problem

suggestions [at] momentary.org - to suggest a prompt

feedback [at] momentary.org - for general feedback

info [at] momentary.org - for general inquiries
How can I cancel my service?
You can stop messages at any time by replying "off" to one of our messages. Or just change your account status to "Inactive".
Who are you?
Momentary was created by Tim DeRoche, who studied cognitive neuroscience at Pomona College and UCLA. He is currently a writer and management consultant in Los Angeles. You can reach him at tim [at] momentary.org.

The site was designed by Ryan Anderson and built by MPLS Marketing.

How do you come up with the prompts?
We make them up! In truth, most of our prompts are suggested by our users.
If you've got an idea (or more), please send them to
suggestions [at] momentary.org.
If we use one of yours, you will be recognized as the author of the prompt on every member's journal page.
Who sends them out?
The messages are sent by our server in Minneapolis.
What will they say?
It's a surprise.
What time will they come?
Messages are sent between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the time zone that you select. In the next few months, we will release an update to Momentary that will allow you to specify exactly when you would like to receive messages.
How soon do I have to respond?
We recommend that you reply to the message immediately after you receive it…or as soon as possible. Our system can handle responses that we receive up to 2 days after the initial prompt was sent.
How long can my response be?
No more than 160 characters (a standard text message). We want you to respond spontaneously and without too much thought. Don't worry about making it sound perfect.
What happens if I don't respond?
Nothing. The prompt will not be listed on your journal page. But - in order to get the most out of Momentary - we encourage you to respond to as many of the prompts as possible. Users who have a 90% response rate report the highest levels of satisfaction.
Can I put time limits on my prompts?
Not right now. But we will offer you this option in the next few months.
Can I ask for more or fewer prompts per day?
Not right now. You will receive 2-3 messages per day. But we will launch an update in the next few months that will allow you to set a preference for how many prompts you would like to receive per day.
What if I have nothing to share?
To get the most out of Momentary, we encourage you to respond to as many prompts as possible. Even on a bad day, there's almost always something positive to see or think about.
That said, if you don't want to respond, just delete the message. No harm, no foul.
Can I receive my prompts via email?
Yes. Just indicate your preference for email when you sign up. Or change your account status to "Active - Email".
Who can see my journal?
Your journal is just for you, and it is completely private. We are currently working on an upgrade to Momentary which will offer you the option of sharing your journal with your close friends.
Can I edit my responses?
No. Your journal will display your response exactly as we received it. When we upgrade Momentary in the next few months, we will offer you the ability to edit (or delete) your journal entries or upload additional photos.
How do I see older posts?
To browse your journal, use the "Search Journal" button, or click on the "Previous Week" or "Next Week" buttons at the top of your personal journal page.
Can I download the contents of my journal?
Yes, the contents of your journal belong to you, and we're happy to give you an electronic copy at any time. Just send an email with your request to help [at] momentary.org.
In the future, we will provide an automated process for downloading your journal.
There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate. - Charles Dickens