Launch Day
Tags: writing, opensource, sideprojects, mentalhealth
Published: 2019-12-09 01:46:03

Earlier today I was reading a post that @kimmaida wrote at the start of November called [7 Tips for Career Advancement and Personal Fulfilment](https://dev.to/kimmaida/7-tips-for-career-advancement-and-personal-fulfillment-5e02). I'm constantly thinking about how to improve myself and move forward. The article had great tips and it inspired me to write this.

## Value Finishing Over Starting

Kim talks about setting personal goals. Earlier this year I set a big goal for myself. One that would solve a systemic problem I built in the past.

I _love_ starting projects but rarely finish them. A lot of us are probably like this. Something new and shiny comes along and you jump on it. I'd been thinking a lot about creating instead of simply consuming. Because of this, I decided to start valuing _finishing over starting_.

What does this mean? I simply wouldn't commit to anything big until I finished what I was currently working on.

This mentality allowed me to [finish building my new website](https://anthonymorris.dev), [launch my first Chrome extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/social-media-death-clock/jjmjickedeooblgpimknfghpfffncfhb), and start studying computer science at an online university.

Halfway through the year I set out on my biggest project yet. To develop [an online platform for mental health](https://writewithwrabit.com).

## Write With Wrabit

Tomorrow that project is finally going to be [announced on Product Hunt](https://www.producthunt.com/posts/wrabit). Since Kim mentions [sharing wins](https://dev.to/kimmaida/7-tips-for-career-advancement-and-personal-fulfillment-5e02#3-share-your-wins) and [celebrating milestones](https://dev.to/kimmaida/7-tips-for-career-advancement-and-personal-fulfillment-5e02#7-celebrate-milestones) I thought posting here would be okay.

I'm incredibly proud of the product I developed. Users get to build a daily writing habit in a simple online editor. The more they write, the more we donate to mental health research.

The product will never make me rich but _it might_ make a positive difference in the world. That is what makes me proud about it. That is why I wanted to write this post.

This feels like the biggest win of my life. 🎉

## Why Mental Health?

When I was in high school, I suffered from depression. I dropped out of high school and told myself I would never make it to 25. I felt terribly alone and afraid to get help.

Thankfully, somehow, I was able to find tools (meditation, writing) that got me to where I am today.

I know a lot of us are suffering. I kept trying to think of ways I could help. Eventually I thought of [Wrabit](https://writewithwrabit.com). A platform to help write daily. A tool to explore the feelings inside you. Something to give people the confidence to express themselves unedited.

## Launch Day

[Tomorrow is launch day](https://www.producthunt.com/posts/wrabit). I've done the best I could to make the MVP what it is today. [It's been in progress for 38 days](https://github.com/writewithwrabit/captains-log) and is completely [open source](https://github.com/writewithwrabit).

It's not the best code I have ever written. I didn't use test driven development. I took shortcuts so that I could make sure I launched the thing. Again, finishing over starting.

With all that being said, I have never been more proud of myself. This is just the beginning.

Thanks for taking a look and I hope to share more of the journey with you in the future!