Ever since I can remember, my mind has raced from one thought to another, making focus a fleeting companion. This pattern escalated in high school and became even more challenging during my college years at Florida International University, where I struggled with attention and motivation.
In therapy, I was diagnosed with ADHD. While this brought clarity to my struggles, my understanding of ADHD was limited to its textbook symptoms — mainly, an inability to concentrate. I was prescribed medication, but I had concerns about dependency, so I only used it during key moments like exam prep. As a result, I often found myself navigating day-to-day life in a fog, falling behind, panicking, and then using medication to catch up.
In 2019, I made a major career shift by attending a web development bootcamp. During that time, I didn’t have health insurance, which meant I couldn’t afford medication, so I tried to power through with willpower alone. I began to notice another side of ADHD that I hadn’t fully understood before: hyperfocus. While ADHD often made it difficult to concentrate on things that didn’t capture my attention, hyperfocus became a superpower that took over more frequently as I delved deeper into coding. Hours would fly by as I immersed myself in problem-solving and debugging — sometimes to the point that I’d forget to eat meals or drink water. Although I felt unstoppable in those moments, I soon realized it was impossible to sustain long-term. It wasn’t until a difficult period at a new job in 2022, followed by a layoff, that I committed to a more consistent approach to managing my ADHD. That decision transformed my ability to focus and handle both personal and professional challenges.
The Spark Behind Spontaneity
Living with ADHD, I’ve always craved spontaneity — the freedom to act on a whim. Yet, too much structure often felt suffocating, while too little left me unanchored. This need for balance between flexibility and guidance is what inspired the idea for Spontaneity.
Spontaneity isn’t just another productivity app. It’s designed for people who, like me, need structure, but also thrive when they can act impulsively and embrace moments of surprise. Whether it’s trying something new, adjusting your daily routine, or making space for unplanned moments of joy, Spontaneity helps you craft a life filled with spontaneity and fulfillment.
Looking Ahead
This post marks the beginning of something new. In my next post, I’ll dive into the features of Spontaneity and how it can help people better engage with their daily routines, relationships, and self-care by introducing randomness into their schedules. I’ll also share the beginning of my journey building this app in public, detailing the challenges and insights as I work to bring it to life.
Stay tuned for more, and I hope my story resonates with those who are also seeking balance between structure and spontaneity in their lives.
If you’d like to get in contact, try reaching me on Mastodon first. LinkedIn works too, but I don’t check it often.