Start with the problem
If you have ADHD, you know the feeling: you write down everything you need to do, hoping to get organized. But instead of feeling clear, you feel paralyzed. That long list becomes a "Wall of Awful"—a towering reminder of everything you haven't done yet.
The problem isn't that you can't do the tasks. The problem is decision fatigue. When everything looks equally important, your brain shuts down. You spend more energy worrying about the list than doing the things on it.
Use features as the solution
We built 3ThingsPal to solve exactly this problem. It’s not just a simpler to-do list; it’s a constraint engine designed for the ADHD brain.
The Constraint: Only 3 Things.
You can’t add a 4th thing. This forces you to prioritize before you start working. It turns the anxiety of "everything" into the clarity of "these three."
The Feature: No Backlog.
Traditional apps carry over yesterday's undone tasks, creating a "snowball of shame." 3ThingsPal clears the slate every morning. Today is a new day.
Think of your day as a storyboard
Structure provides safety. 3ThingsPal creates a simple narrative arc for your day:
- Morning (The Setup): You open the app and make a commitment. Just three things. The act of choosing is the first win of the day.
- Afternoon (The Action): Your three things live on your Lock Screen and in your Dynamic Island. They are visual anchors that gently pull your attention back when you drift.
- Evening (The Reflection): You close the loop. Did you do them? If not, that's okay. The list vanishes, and you get to try again tomorrow without debt.
Include Social Proof Early
We’ve heard from hundreds of users who found peace with this method. Here is what they say:
"I have ADHD and every other app became a graveyard of good intentions. 3ThingsPal is the first one that doesn't make me feel guilty."
"The limit is the feature. It stops me from overcommitting and then hating myself for it."
Visual Tips: Why "Negative Space" Matters
Visual clutter creates mental clutter. That’s why 3ThingsPal looks the way it does.
Use Fewer Colors
We use a strict, high-contrast monochrome palette. No color-coded tags or priority flags to fiddle with. Just the text and the checkbox.
Negative Space is a Positive Thing
The app is mostly empty space. This isn't wasted space; it's breathing room. It signals to your brain that there is no hidden complexity, no buried menus, and no overwhelming list waiting below the fold.
Struggling with the Wall of Awful? Try 3ThingsPal and see what happens when you do less, but better.