stoic. journal & mental health

I’ve never rated an app before in 15 years of owning Apple devices. I have had the free version of stoic for a few months. I am not exaggerating when I say this app was a breakthrough for me and I recommend it to every person I know that struggles with mindfulness, anxiety, or ruminating thoughts. I have had days where I can physically feel the weight lifting off my shoulders after writing about something that causes me anxiety. On days where I’m not anxious, the prompts and quotes get me to indulge in a creative hobby, writing, that I used to be awful at dedicating time to. I no longer feel pressure to write perfectly or obsess over the aesthetics of my journal - I just open up the app, some days I write 10 words, some days I write 1000. To the developers - the BEST, BEST, BEST feature of this app is that you can go back and journal on days you missed to continue your streak. The ability to go back has actually encouraged me to reflect on the days I missed in more depth. I think without the streak OR with a streak that functioned like other apps, I would’ve quit journaling as soon as I lost it the first time. Fantastic app, I look forward to new prompts!!

I’ve used many journaling apps over the 13 years I’ve had an iPhone and Mac. Many are great, for what they are. You can write and add pictures, maybe even a social check in or two. Recently I craved more from my journaling- namely I wanted to see the patterns in my writing, even a word cloud to show me what words I used most often. I can forget and its eye opening when you see that. I came across Stoic and it looked beautiful and promised to show me trends. What I didn’t count on was what a powerhouse of useful tools and tracking this amazing app had to offer. You’re greeted with a lot of choices and it can be overwhelming but there are discernible components: a mood check-in, guided meditations, guided breathing exercises, journaling prompts, affirmations. Under the aforementioned Trends section you have a wealth of feedback about your mental and physical state (it integrates with Apple Health too.) You can see your stats for using all the tools of the app. It’s insightful information. If I could request anything for a future version of this app it would be a quicker way to create journal entries without having to wade through the other elements, and that word cloud I mentioned. I can see a trend in my mood but word clouds are so helpful in showing you what words you use most often. I want to see that feedback cause its illuminating. Overall Stoic is a fantastic app that should be getting more attention. It also got me looking up the history of stoicism which is quite interesting.

I’ve used many journaling apps over the 13 years I’ve had an iPhone and Mac. Many are great, for what they are. You can write and add pictures, maybe even a social check in or two. Recently I craved more from my journaling- namely I wanted to see the patterns in my writing, even a word cloud to show me what words I used most often. I can forget and its eye opening when you see that. I came across Stoic and it looked beautiful and promised to show me trends. What I didn’t count on was what a powerhouse of useful tools and tracking this amazing app had to offer. You’re greeted with a lot of choices and it can be overwhelming but there are discernible components: a mood check-in, guided meditations, guided breathing exercises, journaling prompts, affirmations. Under the aforementioned Trends section you have a wealth of feedback about your mental and physical state (it integrates with Apple Health too.) You can see your stats for using all the tools of the app. It’s insightful information. If I could request anything for a future version of this app it would be a quicker way to create journal entries without having to wade through the other elements, and that word cloud I mentioned. I can see a trend in my mood but word clouds are so helpful in showing you what words you use most often. I want to see that feedback cause its illuminating. Overall Stoic is a fantastic app that should be getting more attention. It also got me looking up the history of stoicism which is quite interesting.

There was a period in my life where I felt stuck. Where no matter which direction I took, I was overcome with feelings of regret and skepticism, only to end up back at square one and repeat the cycle, over and over and over again. This period lasted for almost two years, and in that time, I was in the darkest place in my life. I was tired, but I didn't sleep. I was full, but I didn't fast. I was lonely, but I didn't seek. I was laughing, but I didn't smile. It truly felt like I was reaching the end of my rope and grasping to find nothing was there to begin with. To find that my life had amounted to nothing. This review isn't here to tell you the cliche "This app changed my life!", but once I started using Stoic, it did get me THINKING about my life. I realized I was so focused on trying to control aspects outside of my control and achieving the dreams that weren't even my own, I had lost sight of who should've been living my life: me. It sounds obvious at first, right? You are the only one that has the power to live your life, right? Yet, there are people who are obssesed with trying to fill a hole that was dug by others. It shouldn't have to be this way. It doesn't have to be this way. You are in control of your life, cause no one else is you. Thank you Stoic, for not only turning on the lights, but for teaching me how to keep them on.

I have always wanted to journal my entire life. Looking at a blank piece of paper always inspired me to write down my own “life experiences.” But alas I never did such thing, until last year I downloaded Stoic. At first I didn’t write anything and nearly deleted this app, but then I did start writing, and I haven’t stopped. 230 app check-ins, 118 journal entries, and just under 7000 words. I love this app, the creators behind it actually care and give an effort to inspire you. I check in everyday, sometimes just to view my life progress. I had times I was up and down, others I was inspired, and some I was just filled with hate and a burning ego. But now I recognize that; I recognize how I was, how I am, and how I should be. All because of this app. The developers should be proud of this creation, for it has changed my life immensely. Now my only con: I am concerned I will lose my progress, all it would take would be one accident with my ever aging phone, and that’s it. All gone. I can’t afford to pay the price of subscription every month, but I wish there was a one time payment option that would allow you to save your progress. Having that would be a godsend, and would rightfully earn this app a full 5 stars. Thank you for reading.

This is genuinely one of the best apps I’ve ever had the pleasure of downloading. It’s thoughtful. It’s personal. More than anything, it feels like mine. I genuinely feel a connection to it. This isn’t like most journaling apps, where it’s designed to let you write things and has other functions hidden behind a paywall. You’re allowed to see how your mood has changed. You can go back and see what you’ve written. There are guided meditations and mini self-care sessions available at a single touch. It’s been integral in helping me understand myself more. I’ve been in therapy for a while, and my mother used to be a therapist, so I’ve grown up in a very open household, and I can genuinely say that this feels like a comforted, guided experience. I am allowed to be myself here, and I love that so much is open for absolutely no cost. You can feel the dedication and time and effort that was put into making this project as good as it could possibly be. I feel motivated to wake up and record my thoughts, and winding down with a brief journaling session helps me to clear my mind. It can be so difficult when you have a mental illness to take that first step, but this app really, really helps. I’m able to record what I’m thinking and feeling, and it helps me to process that. The techniques used in the journaling process help me to identify flawed ideals that I hold, and I’m able to correct my thinking on my own time. I wish I could say more, but I genuinely love this app and I wish the developers all the best.