When a friend says they're stressed, our instinct is to fix:
“You should…” “Have you tried…”
But real support isn’t always solutions - it’s listening.
Next time, ask:
👉 “What does support look like for you right now?”
A small shift, big impact. 💡
#ActiveListening
👋 I’m Dan, founder of openup.
I built it after realizing how often I skim the surface in chats with friends instead of really connecting.
Openup creates space for small, daily prompts → real check-ins, no algorithms, no pressure.
💭 When was your last real conversation?
@AuthorEMasson Personally we are light mode fans, but we respect the differences and hope that dark mode helps you feel comfortable enough to be authentic!
Last week we asked: light 🌞 or dark 🌙?
Turns out… you wanted both 👀
So we built it. because real conversations happen at 2pm and 2am.
Curious: are you team light mode or dark mode for reflecting/check-ins?
#DarkMode#BuildInPublic#TechTwitter#MentalHealth#IndieDev
Fun fact: light mode won by taking 2/3 of the vote 👀
Guess we’re all a little divided on when we like to check in 🌞🌙
So tell us - when’s your “real talk” window?
⏰ mornings
🌙 late nights
📱 random scroll breaks
Most people ask: "How was work?"
Most answer: "Busy."
Try this instead:
👉 "What made you smile at work today?"
Same convo, totally different energy.
Small shift = deeper connection.
What’s your go-to question to get someone really talking?
#RemoteWork#MentalHealth#OpenUp
Light mode or dark mode? 🌞🌙
We’re designing openup to feel like a safe, human space for check-ins with friends + teammates.
Which look helps you feel most at ease?
Vote below + we’ll reveal both versions next week.
#DarkMode#LightMode#UXDesign#BuildInPublic#Founder
Alpha Testing!
The other day at 6 AM, instead of opening Twitter, I opened something we built. Got prompted "what emotion is asking for your attention?"
3 months ago = sketches
Today = real app in my pocket
#BuildInPublic#MentalHealth#IndieHacker#AppDevelopment#solodev
Got up early to tackle Google auth for @tryopenup before work. Spent way too long debugging OAuth redirects.
Finally got it working though. Small victories hit different when building something that matters.
#BuildInPublic#MentalHealth#IndieHackers
First look inside OpenUp 👀 - the app for real conversations with your closest people.
"Who deserves more of your time and energy?"
What's one question you wish your friends would ask you more often?
That "I'm fine" to "definitely not fine" realization hits different when you've been on autopilot for weeks.
Maybe we need better default responses than "fine" 🤔
What do you say instead?
#MentalHealth#RealTalk#wellnesstips