I built a "Memento Mori" app after a friend's sudden illness (Solo Founder)
Hey Indie Hackers! 👋
I'm the solo founder behind BucketPal. I wanted to share the personal story behind why I built this, rather than just another "productivity tool" pitch.
The Spark 💡
Years ago, the movie The Bucket List really stuck with me. But the realization didn't hit hard until recently, when a close friend faced a sudden, life-changing health challenge.
It was a wake-up call. We always think we have time, until we don't.
I realized I didn't need another To-Do list for groceries or work meetings. I needed something to visualize my Life Progress—a "Memento Mori" companion to remind me to actually do the things that matter before the clock runs out.
So, I built BucketPal. 📱
What makes it different?
Instead of just checking off tasks, it focuses on:
Life Progress Visualization: Seeing your life in a progress bar (scary, but motivating).
Privacy First: As a developer, I hate how apps harvest data. BucketPal stores everything locally via Core Data. No servers, no tracking.
iOS Native Features: I leveraged Live Activities and Widgets so your goals are always on your Lock Screen, not hidden inside an app you forget to open.
Where I'm at:
I just launched the MVP. It's freemium (bootstrapped/self-funded). I'm currently trying to figure out how to reach people who resonate with this "intentional living" philosophy without sounding too gloomy.
I'd love your feedback:
Does the "Life Progress" concept feel motivating or too depressing for you?
Any feedback on the onboarding flow?
Thanks for reading my story!
