Simulations With You
Visual Rhythm
Align your mind with a steady visual beat.
Follow the loop to find your creative
flow.
đź“– Inspired by Real Stories
This tool was created for moments when the mind feels chaotic and needs a stable anchor.
How to Use Visual Rhythm
This is a simple visual breathing guide where a circle expands and contracts in a steady rhythm. Choose your duration (3 or 5 minutes), click "Start Pacing," and watch the circle. As it grows, you might breathe in or let your thoughts expand. As it shrinks, you might breathe out or bring your focus back to center.
The pattern follows a 4-part cycle: expand, hold, contract, rest. You can follow it with your breath, or just watch it as a visual anchor while your mind settles. The sound toggle adds gentle chimes at the beginning of each phase—completely optional, but some people find it helps mark the transitions.
There's no right way to use this. Some people sync their breathing perfectly with the circle. Others just let it play in the background while they think. Try different durations and see what feels natural. The goal isn't perfection—it's just having a steady rhythm to follow when your mind needs one.
Why I Built This
I created Visual Rhythm after a night when I couldn't stop my mind from racing (you can read about it in "The Laptop That Never Slept"). My thoughts kept spinning like a laptop that never shut down, and I needed something to help me slow down—not through force, but through gentle guidance.
Most breathing apps felt too instructional, too "do this now." I wanted something more ambient. A visual metronome that suggested a rhythm without demanding I follow it exactly. So I built this expanding circle—simple geometry that breathes at a steady pace, inviting you to breathe with it if you want to.
It's just a playful visual companion for those moments when you need a steady rhythm to follow. A quiet anchor when your mind feels like it's running too many processes at once.
Tips for the Best Experience
- Start with 3 minutes: Five minutes feels long if you're new to this—build up gradually
- Don't force the breath: Let the circle suggest a rhythm, but breathe at your own pace
- Try it between tasks: Works well as a transition moment when switching focus
- Use sound initially: The chimes help you learn the pattern, then you can turn them off
- Watch from a comfortable distance: Too close feels intense, too far loses the effect
- No pressure: If it doesn't help today, that's okay—it'll be here tomorrow