Moodnotes - Mood Tracker Reviews

by 297374718173

I used to adore Moodnotes. It was pretty much perfect. It was simple and you could really easily just write about your day or how you were feeling without any complications. It was easy to look through past entries and the design of Moodnotes was very nice to look at at. In short, Moodnotes was about the journaling without all the extra distractions.

Not anymore though. Now the whole thing is bogged down with so many new “features” that go completely against the main reason I used Moodnotes in the first place. Now the spot for writing is super small and to get to it you are forced to jump through an absurd number of hoops. Looking through past entries is a pain and Moodnotes looks completely different from when I first downloaded it, and not for the better.

I’m so unbelievably disappointed. I have a lot of writing wrapped up in Moodnotes and now it feels inaccessible. It’s just such a shame and I would really love to go back to the simpler times of Moodnotes, when it didn’t require you to complicate your entries. It’s really frustrating that something that was once so great is now something I’ll probably never use again.

by Phelincr8zy

Moodnotes has helped me through many struggles. I was able to change my emotions by using it. I recommended it to friends, coworkers, family members, my therapist and my DBT group. It’s really been helpful in my recovery. I haven’t had many episodes lately and when I came back to Moodnotes to help myself through some difficult situations and return to wise mind, I’m left more frustrated and upset.
Moodnotes starts off the same. Select the feelings you are feeling then the intensity of those feelings. Then select the traps you are falling in. *Then it goes to one box to fill in how I view these traps after reading them. It goes to review and adjust the intensity of feelings. Then it goes through how to view the traps for your situation.
*They removed the single most important step. After selecting the traps you fall in, Moodnotes would then let you go through each trap and think them through by typing them out. Effectively getting my brain to work through the problem. Without that step it’s just an app that is used more like a diary/journal.
Please bring back the worksheet format of working through each step guiding the brain to come out of the trap. Without it I’m left still frustrated and more intense feelings.

by Arguellos

Love Moodnotes. It’s quite useful to record your mood, and the feelings you were experiencing at a particular moment.

However, the updated interface with the emoji-like face is hideous. This is a clear example of app’s design teams tinkering with something that wasn’t broken. Moodnotes ’s main purpose is to help people become more aware of their emotions and response to these. This is a serious topic, which the old interface reflected well while still being user friendly. The updated interface however, plays up to “modern sensibilities” but fails miserably at doing so. There’s a major and painful disconnect in the design language of the “log” tab and the “stats” tab. The emoji-like face in the “log” tab is the stuff of nightmares, and overall detracts from Moodnotes ’s mental awareness goal. Buttons and overall design now feel modern for the sake of modernity: not purposefully designed that way, instead it all just reads like design taken out of a UI template you find on Dribble.

Please, please, please this app team. Bring back the old interface, or find a way to tone down the new visuals. This updated visual language doesn’t reflect Moodnotes ’s true value. I hope you realize that.

by J.S. Bleccch

It’s a good motivation to journal and for that reason I keep using it. I wish there were an option to add feelings to the list - there are many there, but obviously there are many more that I simply note in my text summary. I do wish that Moodnotes wouldn’t automatically send me a thought correction procedure whenever I identify even a single “negative” feeling, even if the overall mood and tone for the day are highly positive as expressed in my “smile” and positive feeling selection. It seems like it negates all the positive feelings. I also wish it didn’t list “tired” as a “negative” feeling - I’m much more likely to be tired when I’ve had a very good day, and tired is a pleasant feeling after a long run, productive meeting, etc! Finally, please delete the optimism exercise about “what will your life look like in a few years.” My life expectancy isn’t that long, and although I don’t mind being reminded of it, it makes the exercise difficult (I generally write “I will have had a quick and comfortable death at a time and place of my choosing, and my end of life wishes will have been honored” ... but it has to be the same response every time since my life expectancy isn’t going to increase!) - and others might find that a serious downer. Not everyone who uses Moodnotes is 25 and healthy!

by Riwsky

On-and-off user of Moodnotes for a couple years now, and appreciate that it’s been there all those years.

Even just spending a few days with this latest update, though, has sent me looking for alternatives. It’s not the subscription—the benefits this provided me are more than worth the price being asked for premium—but the simple fact that Moodnotes itself has gotten worse. The face-scanning mood input solves a problem I don’t think anyone has, and it does so poorly—my face seems incapable of anything than a 0 or -1. The button designs guide the user _away_ from the CBT details workflow. The timeline now uses a physically-inspired design (depth, shadows etc) that is entirely incongruous with the CBT workflow screen, which is in the old, flat style; also for some reason the details screen’s header seems to be double its old height.

If there were something magical or proprietary about what this app did, then these UI concerns would be middling—but CBT is beautifully simple enough that it can be done with pencil and paper; that this app provided a superior UI compared to alternatives was its entire selling point. For years, going off of that original ustwo design, that superiority seemed assured. I am sad (30%) for that to no longer be the case.

by TéaLëaf

Moodnotes has helped me a lot by providing a place to freely talk about my emotions more honestly. Moodnotes doesn’t judge, it just is. The thought analysis is really helpful, just having the prompt of “What are ways of thinking about the situation without traps?” has been so useful. There are times I don’t feel like answering that question and just want to sulk, but Moodnotes gently nudges me to do it anyway. Answering eases my thoughts so much. Thank you developers! :)

The only reason it’s not a full 5 stars is issues I’m having with scrolling. When I filled out the Insights entry (not a Moodnote), I found that I couldn’t scroll without messing around with the existing text. It’s a little annoying, since I wrote some important things that I want to be able to read more often. Other than that, a full 5 stars from me. :)

Edit: I also had an issue where a whole chunk of a moodnote was deleted. I’m not sure what caused it and it’s only happened once so far. Kind of sad to lose that though.

by TheWeebOverThere

Hello , ThrivePort . I’d like to start off by saying that the idea of Moodnotes is quite wonderful , considering the fact that my moods are slowly becoming more negative than positive , due to it being easier to aggravate and irritate me now and because of possible gender dysphoria . I got to get a peek of what Moodnotes was about , and so far , it’s calming .

The issue I have with Moodnotes is the fact that I have to pay for a subscription , membership , premium , whatever fits . The thing is , I am only fourteen . On top of that , I personally have no money , nor a credit card that has money on it . I also don’t have my pay settings set up on my phone due to that , and — well I’m sure you see the problem . I would like it if ... we didn’t have to pay for a subscription . This is simply because I would like to improve my mood and make it so that I can lower my irritation tolerance a little everyday .

That’s my personal opinion , of course , but I feel it would be best for people like me who are still young with parents who don’t really allow subscriptions for apps . Thank you for reading .

by Jlleblanc

I used Moodnotes pretty regularly a couple of years ago and found it to be helpful. I’m going to try to start using it again so I can supplement visits with my therapist. However, I’m not sure that I’ll keep up with it.

I originally stopped using it because I started using my iPad as my primary “personal time” device (i.e., my phone generally stays plugged in and stationary in another room.) The iPad experience is painful for an app that relies heavily on text entry. Since there is no iPad version, you end up having to use the awkward iPhone simulation keyboard. I have a physical bluetooth keyboard case I would LOVE to use with Moodnotes (using it right now to write this review), but that would require me to do one of two things: 1) take the iPad out of the case and prop it up vertically 2) try to read the text sideways as I type.

While I realize the effort to make an iPad version of an existing iPhone app is not zero, the functionality of Moodnotes is not so complex that I would imagine it taking an inordinate amount of time and effort.

by Beeleewilliams

I almost never rate AND leave a review, but Moodnotes has been incredibly helpful! The last couple of months I’ve been struggling with new mental health issues and finally decided to change my medications. Having done so my doctor and partner recommended that I should write about how my new medications are affecting me, my moods, behaviors etc... I’m really not one who likes to journal etc... so I found Moodnotes after a quick google search.

It can be very difficult for me to stick to routine especially if it’s something I don’t like doing and takes too long. Moodnotes is fantastic in that if I don’t want to/feel like I don’t have time I can register my mood quickly and easily via the little mood face, but I want to contribute you more I can add notes and also, specific feelings contributing to my overall mood. I think it’s completely worth the money.

I look forward to seeing my insights a data after I’ve used it for a couple of months!

by TorvikTheViking

As someone who writes in a couple of journals already (one pocket Moleskine for when I don’t want to carry the second one) I didn’t think Moodnotes was worth my $4. But after reading Moodnotes Store Story that was posted yesterday and how you’ve integrated CBT into what would normally be a pretty simple journaling app, which, as someone who’s very interested in and passionate about the field of psychology, intrigued me, at least enough to purchase Moodnotes and see how it works. And I must admit, despite having only wrote three entries over two days, I can see myself using Moodnotes for a long, long time. It’s just such an innovative combination of concepts. One thing I would like to see implemented is the ability to raise and lower different feelings after reflecting a thought. Right now I can only raise or lower the negative feelings I have chosen beforehand. Other than that, great app!

by Umbra Magna

I have Asperger’s Syndrome and I’m very prone to anxiety, and Moodnotes allows me to write down how I’m feeling and work out any thinking errors. I think this could be a great app for autistic people who might otherwise have trouble identifying how they feel. It lets you adjust the face on the screen to be sad or happy and pick and choose from various emotion words, and more often than not I’ll find the right word for how I’m feeling. I obviously can’t speak for all autistic people, but in my experience Moodnotes is very helpful. Sometimes just writing how I feel helps me to feel better, even if it doesn’t change my situation.

I especially like that it allows you to select more than one emotion (which many apps don’t), as well as the intensity of the emotion(s) you’re feeling. And then it lets you write down why you feel that way, and it takes you through some questions and prompts you to thinking about any thinking errors. And then it asks if your emotions have changed and lets you change the intensity of you feel different. Another cool thing is that it doesn’t make you complete every step. If you just don’t feel like it right now, you can just complete some of the steps.

All in all, I really like Moodnotes. :)

by Meladactyl

As someone with depression, anxiety, and ADHD, Moodnotes really helps me keep track of my emotions through different parts of my day, and challenges me to specify what things contribute to my good (and bad) feelings. Identifying thinking traps and rephrasing my negative thoughts has started to help me control them better.

The only thing I wish Moodnotes had is some exercises, like deep breathing or guided meditation to help actively practice this control. Another app I use for tracking my anxiety, Pacifica, has timed activities and meditation that help me control my breathing when my anxiety is high and has specialized segments depending on how you’re feeling (relax now, mindfulness, stressful situations, calm down, etc).

That being said, this is still a beautiful app. With both I feel like I’m covered for what I need. I just wish there were some more opportunities to practice what is taught in Moodnotes through more active means.

by TaptapSoccer

I grew up in a dysfunctional family and because of that really developed some bad thinking habits and depression. Most of my 20’s its been something I have always had to keep in check. I did cognitive behavioral therapy a couple years ago and it helped me a ton! However, I quickly learned that CBT is a lifestyle and is something you have to remind yourself of daily and use frequently. It’s very easy to fall out of habits and allow our emotional/mental health to dwindle. To be honest if you are reading this review you are probably on your phone a lot anyways and use a lot of apps, so please do yourself a favor and just try this. I’m looking forward to using it more and wanted to thank the developers for how intuitive it is. It is so easy to input all the steps of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and really get down to what some of your biggest mental filters are that keep you from seeing life and yourself the way they should be seen.

Just pay for it, silly!

by Anesign

You see I live in a very complicated city surrounded with much complicated culture that still see mental health as a taboo subject to be highlighted out load, luckily I’ve my friend who lives in a away cities whom advised me against going to see a psychiatrist within the city i live in giving how much of sharing could get me in trouble within the authority in here, I’ve done my research read a few books and i found Moodnotes, i said to myself lets just give it a try what would i lose after all this suffering talking to a machine is still a great option at least I won’t get in trouble, I know for sure in many cases of depression and anxiety a CPT techniques might not be enough so if you have the The privilege to see a psychiatrist please go for it while using Moodnotes it might help you to recover even more faster, I had to read so much to understand my suffering am glad that many won’t have to given such great ideas still exist within our world brings hope to the depressed community around the world, to the amazing psychologists and developers to the coders whom might never understood what the hell they were coding at the first place, you ladies and gentlemen have saved lives and for mine am and always will be grateful. May the force be with you all. Thank you.

by Be-a-melody

I would recommend Moodnotes to everybody. It helps you get your thoughts down and pinpoint how you were feeling. But my favorite part is after 10 or so entries, you get to look back and gain insight. And this inside helps you to see patterns. And for me, I realized how stuck I am on the same things. It was almost a common theme. And I think we all have one. You just don’t realize it until you truly see the writing in front of you. You can’t dismiss it. As long as you are Frank and honest, you can get real results. I also like the feature that your feelings and percentages so that you can see what your core problems are. Once you know that, you can begin to change it. And I use other apps for that process. But this is a great beginning. It’s like a mini journal. And it’s help me get straight to the point with what I’m feeling and what’s happening to me at the moment. I wish that the questions are varied after you submit your feelings but I still give it five stars!

by Gator Supreme

Finding a mental health professional is difficult. Of course, for many of us it’s a necessary headache (all of the calls and the waiting just to get in someplace, or waiting months until you can see someone again); however, filling the gaps between professional one-on-one sessions has never been quite as effective as it has been with this app. Journaling the old fashion way is great! .... if you can be consistent. But then, you’re talking AT something, rather than having an app like this actually engage with your mood - how are you feeling? What moods are you experiencing? What thinking traps may you have fallen into today? How can you reframe your negative feelings now that you know WHY you were thinking this way? It’s a fantastic tool to have to keep my brain in check. The only think I wish Moodnotes had was either the ability to add your own thinking traps, or for the developers to add more (such as minimizing negatives, compartmentalizing, etc.). These are my personal MO’s, which I’m aware of, but it’d help to have Moodnotes call me out on them too. :)

by Chik66

Wow! Great app! Great handy way to log and process feelings throughout the day, at ANYTIME.
If I start to feel something, I can pull out my phone, and start typing in this app. As I type my feelings about a situation, I am able to document and process things at the same time, and I typically will write more than initially planned. This results in my being in a cleansed and more calm state, having identified optional ways of dealing with issues/feelings, and a plan of action.
I feel less “stuck”, nor like a victim, because I have identified options. I do not feel like I need to rush to be heard, because I have my feelings stored in a safe place and can recall them if and when I want, and take my time expressing myself, if and when I decide to do so.
It helps me decide how I will do so as well. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, that’s all I need, and it is over. But if I need more, I can also return to the documented incident, and during an established time, I can tap into my experience, and identify my feelings, and let myself feel, til they are finished. I can end my feeling journey with a positive thought, like: “I am okay”, or “I am a capable and resilient person”. This is GREAT!!!

by Sherylc6

I am so tired of downloading health and productivity apps that claim to be “based on science” when they are throwing that phrase around loosely. Young me probably wouldn’t have called psychology a science, but after ten years of struggling with chronic mental illness, I’ve come around. I have PTSD, and I’ve never been a big fan of therapy. I went for several years, mostly just to satisfy my friends and family, and I liked my therapist. But, I’m very introverted when it comes to my mental health, and trust is one of my major issues. So, finding a useful tool like this where I can keep my thoughts private is a godsend. I just started using this today, and I recognize much of the information from CBT, so I know it’s actually created by someone who is educated and truly cares, rather than just trying to make a buck. Plus, a lot of apps that claim to be for “mental health” are really just lifestyle or meditation apps, not fit for people with serious mental illness. I highly recommend that people go to therapy to get diagnosed if they are struggling (and not use an app), but for mental health maintenance, for those dealing with chronic problems, this is on a short list of useful tools.

by Pink4ndglossy20

Moodnotes is amazing for all ages. I’ve had a hard time with therapist and psychologist for years and years of trying to find one that could help me. I finally found an amazing therapist who helps me tremendously. Only, she works far from where I live so it’s hard to see her as often as I’d like. I was skeptical about downloading Moodnotes, since it’s hard for me to find something/ someone that helps change my mindset. I saw the good reviews and downloaded it. After just one journal entry, I fell in love. The questions, and strategy Moodnotes uses to help flip any negativity is professional and truly works. It reminds me of how my therapist is able to help me so well. Moodnotes truly helps you for the better whether you have a mental illness (like me) or just want to be overall more positive and understandings to yourself and feelings, just be consistent with it! I’ve noticed a change in my mood and noticed I’ve been more positive and motivated at the end of the day. Even on those really bad days, it helps. It helps just to type out how you feel, and Moodnotes helps you recognize that and why. Much worth the purchase. I’m so happy someone made Moodnotes. To the developers: I hope you know you’re helping a lot of people with Moodnotes, it’s truly great, thank you.

by Brysoneum

Moodnotes delivers what it promised too and even more. The beautiful layout and simplistic design is great, and the faces are awesome. I appreciate the option of either quickly showing how you feel and hope it out later. I also love the method of going deeper into how you feel presenting you with traps you face. My favorite part is definitely the data shown. It’s rewarding to look at how you’ve felt over the month or even year. You see the big picture and I love that. If I had to ask for something to add to Moodnotes for the developer, I would like a way to where you choose how you feel and when you go and choose your emotions (such as the anger, or cheerful attitude) that the face changes. Example: I chose the ): face and after I did I said I was angry so after I save the face changes from :( to >:(. I would adore a feature like this but if it never gets implemented than I hope the developers will continue to improve Moodnotes in other ways. Keep up the good work!😀

by Dev.jsm91

I don’t know why the people who wrote some of these ‘critical’ reviews are complaining about things that I can clearly accomplish within Moodnotes . Want a widget… use the watch complication OR set one or many timed notifications so that you actually have a consistent data collection. As for adjusting the moods and intensity, it’s very simple to do. I’ve seriously considered replacing Daylio with this app and the only reason that I haven’t so far is because I don’t want to lose almost 2 years of data.

Seriously, people need to stop being so critical and harsh when it comes to reviewing the work of others. Moodnotes clearly has good intentions and wants to make a positive impact that could save lives. I know for me personally, it’s helped show and EXPLAIN (something not usually offered in other apps) my common mental traps, as well as how to escape and challenge them… Seriously, I’m thankful for Moodnotes and shame on all of ‘you’ who are purposefully posting fake reviews and or reviewing applications after 2 seconds of use.

by Perry Jacksen

I downloaded this application on a whim, and figured this may be just like some of the other Mood tracking apps I’ve used before. I’m interested in getting to know what makes me feel bad, what makes me feel good, and have the option of getting more in depth with my journaling if I have the time. Moodnotes not only keeps track of my moods over time, but it points out your weaknesses, and your strengths. When listing the way I feel, Moodnotes has a list for negative and positive feelings that has helped me consider that there are two possible ways to think about things. I leave Moodnotes feeling refreshed and reflective of the insight it gives me. I feel like this application has immense potential, but could be developed even further. In some ways I have found this application better than having a therapist. With this app, you are your own counselor and coach. Keep up the good work!