Still Nothing: Reverse Mindfulness App
Designed and built to create protected time for thinking
Year:
2025
Highlights
Invented "reverse mindfulness" - a new approach to lower stress/anxiety and unlock creative focus
Built a minimal app to practice it
Monetized an app that helps you mostly do nothing
Solo-made: UI, copy, and code
Cross-platform with Flutter (iOS + Android)
Why I built it
My best ideas showed up when I stopped trying - showers, walks, toilet. I realized the problem wasn’t “too many thoughts,” it was no space for them to complete. Constant inputs (work, feeds, podcasts) meant nothing had time to settle. That insight led me to reverse mindfulness: don’t force focus - intentionally give your brain protected time to wander and resolve things on its own. Neuroscience calls the background system doing this the Default Mode Network; it connects dots when you stop micromanaging.
What reverse mindfulness is (and isn’t)
Reverse mindfulness flips the usual script. It’s not guided focus or “empty your mind.” It’s deliberate, interruption-free mental freedom with zero agenda. You set aside time, give yourself permission to think about anything (or nothing), and let your brain process, integrate, and surface ideas.
Why regular tools failed
Generic timers end sessions with a jolt; notes apps drag you into old to-dos; meditation apps add structure you don’t want here. Each one bends the experience away from mental freedom. I needed something purpose-built for protected wandering.
The app: Still Nothing
I built Still Nothing to create the exact conditions reverse mindfulness needs:
Protected sessions. If you leave the app, check a notification, or even peek at the time, the session auto-ends
Gentle endings. No harsh alarms - sessions close quietly so you don’t snap out of flow
Idea capture without derailment. Jot a thought without seeing previous notes (so you don’t start reviewing)
Visuals by choice. Calming, low-demand animations to rest your eyes - or a blank screen if you prefer
Minimal habit support. Light stats, tiny achievements, and a single daily nudge - just enough to help consistency
I use Still Nothing when I feel overloaded or stuck - between tasks, before planning, or after long input heavy blocks. The feedback and reviews have been positive, and lately I’m seeing the same idea pop up across social media.