Focus Friend App Review: Hank Green’s Cute ADHD Anti-Procrastination Buddy
We’ve all gone down the Neko Atsume rabbit hole (haven’t we?) Think of Focus Friend by Hank Green - a new ADHD-friendly focus timer app - as Neko Atsume on a mission. It’s a super cute app that I learned about from a client. Depending on your particular style of ADHD, this could be an incredibly helpful tool.
What is Focus Friend?
Story is, you’ve got a little bean who likes to knit. If you interrupt your little bean after you’ve set your focus timer, it will drop its stitches and be sad. If you stay focused (don’t pick up your phone) for the entire timer, your bean will make socks and stuff and you can decorate the its house.
Why This Works for ADHD Brains…
There’s just the right amount of emotional leverage (i.e. avoidance of disappointing your bean) to sufficiently motivate a compassionate individual
The stakes are low enough that you won’t shame spiral if you “fail”
When to Use It
You’re struggling to buckle down on a “Task of Doom” you’ve been putting off for weeks
You need help diving into hyperfocus mode
You tend to hyperfocus and need help taking breaks
Things to Watch Out For
As with any app or technological tool, it can be easy to use the app as a way to further procrastinate. So it still requires a little bit of discipline! But overall, it can’t suck you in too far.
You can pay real money for cuter or better items. So if you tend towards impulsive spending for a dopamine hit, maybe steer clear.
Overall, Focus Friend is a sweet little tool that can help ADHD brains work with - not against - their uniqueness. Just don’t let your bean distract you from your tasks! If you’d like more strategies (beyond beans), book a free consultation.
