It Begins

Written By Oriana Barbre

I’m building an app, because.. apparently I have time for that now? I dunno.

Here’s the thing - sometimes I just want to say “Look, I love you, but please shut up and go away,” and there’s just… no socially acceptable way to do that. So I’m going to make one. I don’t have a name for it yet, I probably should, but that’s never stopped me before.

I don’t hate people... most of the time... but I do talking to them when I don’t have any spoons left. Soooo this? This is the solution.

I’ve never written a line of code before now, so I’m teaching myself.. slowly, awkwardly, during whatever slivers of time I can find. But this isn’t just a side project, I want it to work. And yeah, I want this to be something real. Something I can actually use. Something other people want to use. The base version will be free, but I’m not allergic to income, so yes, there will probably be premium features later. (Don’t @ me.)

Here’s my thought process:

I need a way to show my friends/family how socially available I am without having to explain it, ghost them, or send a whole novel about how my brain melted somewhere between waking up and the 1000th time my toddler said “Mom!”. A little something to say “I’m good,” “Meh,” or “Do not perceive me”. The goal isn’t to explain every feeling I have. It’s just to make it easier to stay connected without always having to perform or push through when I’m already stretched thin.

  • iOS first

  • Update “social battery” using a visual scale

  • Keep it simple, ADHD-proof

  • Invite-only friend system (no public search, no strangers, no thanks)

  • Basic profiles with options to display how you prefer to be contacted

  • Premium features later:

    • Themes

    • Groups (e.g., work, family, school)

    • Needs (quick “what I need” options like space, food, memes, etc.)

    • Widgets?

    • A “panic nap” button???

  • No likes, no comments, no messages — we’re not doing that

  • Launch Android once iOS is stable and I feel like crying

So yeah. That’s the plan… at least for this week.. but hopefully this one sticks. It’s just me, figuring this out one step at a time. But it feels like a good start.

Oriana Barbre https://www.workingonit.life