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I’ve been working on a small Android app currently called MoodJournal.
It’s in closed beta right now, with a handful of testers: a mix of family, friends, and a few people I don’t know (which is honestly the best combination if you want real feedback).
One quick note up front: the name will probably change. I’m leaning toward calling it Between Paths Journal, to align it with the wider Between Paths work and keep everything under one clear umbrella.
This post is a simple update: what the app is, what it’s for, what’s already working, what’s still rough, and what I’m looking for from beta testers.
Why I’m building it
A lot of people want to track their mood. Not in a “turn your feelings into a scoreboard” way, but in a quiet, human way.
Something like:
- “I’m low today, and I’m not sure why.”
- “I keep snapping at people after work.”
- “I feel fine until bedtime, then my mind starts up.”
What people often need isn’t a perfect app. It’s a safe container that makes it easier to notice patterns, name feelings, and gently reflect without feeling judged.
MoodJournal (or Between Paths Journal, soon) is my attempt to build that container.
What it is (right now)
MoodJournal is a private mood journaling app designed for short check-ins.
The core idea is simple:
- Pick your mood (fast)
- Add a few words (optional)
- Save it
- Later, look back and notice patterns
It’s meant to be quick enough that you’ll actually use it on the days you’re tired, overwhelmed, or a bit numb.
No pressure to write an essay. No pressure to “fix” yourself.
What makes it different (or at least what I’m aiming for)
1) Privacy first
This is a journaling app. That means it needs to feel safe.
The direction I’m taking is local-first: your entries stay on your device. I’m actively avoiding the whole “your most personal thoughts live on someone else’s servers” vibe.
2) Calm design, not gamified
Some apps try to motivate by pushing streaks, badges, and “don’t break the chain.”
That works for some people. For others, it becomes one more thing to fail at.
MoodJournal is trying to stay calm and uncluttered. The goal is: open it, log the moment, close it.
3) Guided help that’s actually readable
This sounds small, but it matters: the app includes help/guides that explain how to use it and how to reflect without spiralling.
We’ve already had to fix formatting issues in those guides, and I’m treating that part as “don’t mess with what works.”
What’s still rough (and why beta exists)
I want to be transparent: beta is where the reality-check happens.
Here are a few things that are still in the “watch this closely” category:
- Install/update consistency (Google Play tracks and versioning can get messy fast if you’re not disciplined)
- UI readability tweaks (I recently changed some colours because a bulleted section was too dark)
- Edge cases (older devices, weird screen sizes, different font settings)
- Release build differences (the classic “works in debug, breaks in release” risk)
Beta is where those problems surface before the app ever goes wider.
A small behind-the-scenes note: stability matters more than speed
I’ve learned (again) that it’s easy to get pulled into “upgrades” because newer versions exist.
Newer compile targets. Newer libraries. Newer tooling.
But there’s a cost: toolchain upgrades can break builds, and build instability creates tester confusion (“Why does my phone show a different version than yours?”).
So I’ve taken a more boring approach:
- Stabilise the build
- Keep the content the same
- Ship small changes
- Get feedback
- Repeat
It’s less exciting, but it’s the difference between a hobby project and something people can rely on.
What I’d love feedback on (if you’re one of the testers)
If you’re in the closed beta (or you’re about to be), here’s what helps most:
1) Installation and updating
- Did it install cleanly from the Play Store?
- Did it update cleanly?
- Did anything strange happen with versions?
2) The Help/Guides screens
This one is personal because we already fixed formatting once.
- Are the guides readable?
- Any weird spacing, broken bullet points, text too dark/light, or text getting cut off?
- If something looks wrong, a screenshot helps a lot.
3) “Would you actually use it?”
Not as a compliment. As a real question.
- Does it feel quick enough?
- Does it feel safe?
- Does it feel like it fits into a normal day?
Even a blunt “I forgot it existed” is useful feedback.
Want to join the closed beta?
Right now the beta group is small on purpose.
If you’d like to test MoodJournal / Between Paths Journal, I’m looking for people who can do one of these:
- try it for a week and tell me what you noticed
- attempt a Play Store update and tell me whether it worked smoothly
- scan the help/guides and flag anything that looks off
If that’s you, Sign up here
Final thought
Journaling sounds simple until it becomes personal.
A good journaling tool isn’t just “functional.” It’s emotional. It needs to feel safe, calm, and steady especially when the person using it doesn’t.
That’s what I’m building toward.
If you’re testing, thank you. If you’re curious, I’ll share more as the beta settles.
And if you’re someone who’s been carrying a lot lately: even noticing how you feel today is already a kind of progress.
