Since traditional to-do apps only added to the mental noise, I eventually built a small tool for myself called Ilseon. I needed something that would actually reduce cognitive load.

I have added some features that helps me in my daily chaos:

Context filtering: I work better when I only see what belongs to the role I’m currently in (Work, Family, Health, etc.). Switching context hides everything else, which stops me from bouncing between unrelated tasks or getting overwhelmed by a big master list.

Time blocks with a big visible countdown: This externalises time for me in a way alarms or calendars never did. It gives me one clear block to focus on, and the timer helps with time blindness without being stressful. Still figuring out if adding alarms is a good idea or not..

A quick reflection loop: After finishing something, I jot down a short note about how it went. Over time I’ve noticed patterns which has been surprisingly helpful for understanding my own behaviour instead of feeling like every day resets.

I also added things I personally rely on, like speech-to-text through my headphones and a low-sensory-load dark mode.

I originally made this for myself, but since it’s open source I figured it might be useful to others who deal with similar things. If it’s helpful, great; just wanted to put it out there in case someone else is wrestling with the same issues I am.