Why I’m Creating a Better Focus App (Because Freedom Didn’t Cut It)

Let’s be honest — I didn’t set out to build a focus app. I just wanted to stop refreshing Instagram for the 17th time during what was supposed to be a “deep work” session. Naturally, I searched for existing tools that could help me stay on task, block distractions, and maybe even sprinkle in some actual productivity. 📵

That’s when I stumbled across Freedom. Looked polished. Had decent reviews. Got the job done. But then I saw the pricing… and had one of those indie developer moments:

“Wait… they’re charging that much for something I could build in a couple of weeks?”

And just like that, my focus problem turned into a side project. A project that quickly snowballed into an idea I couldn’t stop thinking about:

What if I could create a smarter, more flexible focus tool — for people like me who actually want to get things done?

Why Existing Tools Didn’t Cut It

Now don’t get me wrong — Freedom and other apps out there aren’t bad. But they’re kinda like productivity treadmills: shiny, pricey, and often abandoned after week one. Most just offer the same surface-level solution: block apps, hope for the best. Some go a little further, but they’re either stuck in outdated UX or trying too hard to be “fun” (grow a tree, earn a badge, pretend that’ll stop you from opening Twitter 🙃).

Freedom, in particular, looked like it had potential — but it felt like it plateaued. No Pomodoro integration. No real task planning. Definitely no Slack sync. Just good ol’ app blocking, which is great… until it isn’t enough.

And as a developer, I couldn’t stop thinking:

If this is all there is… why not just build my own?

One that doesn’t just lock you out, but actively guides you through focus sprints. One that’s tailored to how professionals actually work — between meetings, Slack messages, deep work, and snack breaks. 🍿

The Indie Alternative I’m Building

So yeah… I opened Xcode. Because nothing lights a fire under an indie dev like seeing a feature-locked subscription and thinking, “You know what? I can build this in two weeks.”

That spark turned into something real. My app is now almost ready, and Version 1 will launch within the next two weeks. It’s not just about app blocking — it’s smarter than that.

You can actually schedule app restrictions to fit your day. Want to block Instagram from 9 AM to noon every weekday? Done. Want TikTok gone during your evening deep work session? Say no more.

This isn’t just a temporary lockdown button. It’s intentional focus, by design.

And of course, I didn’t stop at Version 1. I’ve already started building what’s next:

• ⏰ Pomodoro mode — because sometimes, all you need is 25 minutes and a countdown to greatness.
• 📋 Task management with Slack integration — because your to-do list shouldn’t live on a napkin or in five different apps.

Best part? Subscriptions are half the price of the big-name alternatives. Not because it’s “cheap,” but because I genuinely believe focus shouldn’t be behind a high paywall. It should be accessible — especially for people like me (and maybe you) who just want to get stuff done without getting digitally mugged along the way.

The Dev Journey So Far

I started with a proof of concept — because I didn’t even know if what I had in mind was possible. I asked ChatGPT for help, but let’s just say… it gave “motivational support” more than working code. 😅 Most resources online were half-baked, outdated, or assumed I already knew three secret Apple APIs no one talks about.

Eventually, I figured it out — after days of trial, error, and existential debugging. That’s when GitHub Copilot entered the chat. 🤖✨ And suddenly, it felt like I had a pair-programming buddy who worked 24/7. Did it always know what I wanted? No. Sometimes it confidently ran straight into a wall and looped there like a determined Roomba. But still, credit where it’s due — it helped me build 80% of the app.

The remaining 20%? That was me vs time.

Literally. Because when your app is based on scheduling and restrictions, testing becomes a waiting game. You have to set up a restriction, wait for it to kick in, then see if it actually behaves like a civilized bouncer, not a bugged-out nightclub security guard. ⏳📱

Through it all, I’ve been obsessed with one thing: giving myself (and users) a clean, beautiful, UX-rich experience. Not just functionality, but feeling — the kind of app you want to open, even if it’s technically telling you to get off Instagram. I’ve reworked flows, simplified interactions, and made sure it doesn’t feel like punishment to use the app. Because focus should feel empowering, not restrictive.

So yes — it’s taken time. And patience. And me occasionally talking to my MacBook like it’s a teammate who missed the deadline. But now? I’m almost there. And I’m ridiculously proud of what this little app has become.

Why This Matters (To Me and Maybe You)

This app didn’t start as some grand startup idea. There were no whiteboards, no pitch decks, no buzzwords like “synergy” or “disrupt.” It started because I was tired of breaking my own focus — and I wanted to fix it without breaking the bank.

Like a lot of people, I just wanted more control over my attention. I didn’t want to delete social media entirely. I didn’t want to become a productivity monk. I just needed something that helped me stay in the zone when it actually mattered. And weirdly enough, none of the existing tools felt right. So I made one.

Building this app gave me a sense of clarity — and honestly, a renewed respect for the value of quiet, uninterrupted time. It’s amazing what your brain can do when it isn’t being yanked in 17 directions. And I figured… if this helps me, maybe it’ll help someone else too.

Because focus isn’t just about doing more. It’s about doing what matters, with intention. Whether you’re working on your next big idea, writing a novel, or just trying to read one damn article without opening YouTube — it helps to have a little support. A little boundary. A little breathing room.

That’s what this app is.

It’s not a blocker. It’s a boundary.

A small, beautiful reminder that your time is worth protecting.

What’s Next

I’m just weeks away from launching Version 1. The core features are built, the bugs are being squashed (politely), and testing is in full swing. After launch, I’ll start rolling out Pomodoro mode and task planning features — one sprint at a time.

If you’d like to stay in the loop, get early access, or just cheer from the sidelines as I wrangle Xcode into submission…

👉 **Join the Early Access List**

You’ll get launch updates, sneak peeks, and maybe a few productivity memes I’m too proud of. No spam. No distractions. Just focus. 🙌