365 Gratitude Journal—SelfCare

What it does

365 Gratitude Journal is a comprehensive mental wellness app centered around the practice of gratitude. It provides users with daily guided journal prompts, personalized affirmations, a supportive community feed, and tools like a vision board and meditation library. The app's core purpose is to help users build a consistent self-care habit to reduce anxiety and increase happiness.

Where it shines

The app excels at creating a personalized and engaging initial experience. The onboarding quiz (00:11) culminates in a clever "Anxiety Score" screen (01:13) that quantifies the user's current state and frames the app as a direct solution. Another highlight is the Vision Board feature (04:44), which allows users to create and customize boards for their goals, providing a creative and forward-looking outlet. Finally, the Community feed (11:46) transforms the solitary act of journaling into a shared, supportive experience.

UX highlights

Conversational UI: The app uses a chatbot mascot named Joy to guide users through onboarding, making the experience feel personal and less like a sterile form.
Multi-modal content: It offers a wide range of tools beyond simple text entry, including audio meditations (09:52), thank-you card creation (08:31), and image-based vision boards (05:02).
Gamified retention loops: Streaks (03:41) and points are introduced immediately after the first journal entry, creating clear incentives for daily engagement.
Guided first action: After subscribing, the user is immediately taken to their first guided journal (01:39), ensuring they experience the core value without confusion.
Contextual help: Throughout the app, chatbot messages and recommendation cards appear to guide the user toward relevant features, like suggesting a community post after the first journal entry (11:47).
Integrated tools: Features like Affirmations and Vision Boards are not siloed. They are presented as part of a cohesive toolkit accessible from the main dashboard, encouraging exploration.

Monetization & growth

365 Gratitude employs a hard paywall strategy, requiring a subscription to proceed after the initial onboarding quiz. The paywall itself (01:21) is preceded by strong value propositions, including a personalized anxiety score and a user testimonial with a high star rating. It presents two plans with a clear discount highlighted for the annual option ("Save 72%") and breaks down the cost into a monthly figure to make it seem more affordable. A 7-day free trial is offered to lower the barrier to entry.

Who it’s for

The app is designed for individuals seeking to improve their mental well-being, reduce stress, and cultivate a more positive outlook through structured, daily practices. It appeals to users who are new to journaling, as it provides guided prompts and a supportive community. It also caters to those who enjoy gamified experiences and appreciate having a variety of self-care tools (meditation, affirmations, vision boards) consolidated in a single platform.

Notes & opportunities

The onboarding flow, while personalized, is quite long. The app asks for a subscription before the user has a chance to create an account, which could be an unusual sequence for some. The main dashboard (04:49) is rich with features, but could potentially feel overwhelming for a user looking for a simple, focused journaling experience. Introducing the community feed later in the flow might be a missed opportunity to leverage social proof earlier in the user journey.