Descent · Reflection · Return
katábasis (Greek): a descent into the underworld — and the way back.
A self-help app for working through what we carry from the past — redesigned from a course to finish into a calm daily practice: one path for today, gentle check-ins and a private place to reflect.
Katabasis is built around shadow work: noticing the feelings and reactions we usually push away — often rooted in childhood or hard past experiences — and learning to understand them. It offers lessons, practical tools and daily support. The redesign kept the content and changed how a day with the app feels.
Adults working through their past, at their own pace. The redesign is made for a quiet moment in the evening.
Short lessons, audio sessions and deep reads, plus exercises, tips and reflection.
One path for today, a gentle check-in, tiny rituals, insights, a journal and Daisy, an AI companion.
The first version had good content, but it was organised like a school course: chapters, percentages and a library of equal cards — in a cold blue-grey look that didn't fit such a personal topic.
Before redesigning, we talked to a few clients who used the first version: what works, what should change, what's missing — and what we should focus on.
Make Katabasis a safe, gentle daily practice — not a course to finish.
The app now opens on Today. The library moved to Discover, progress moved into Your journey, inside Today, and three new places were added for the part that was missing: talking, seeing patterns and writing.
Three moments side by side: how the first version handled them, and how the redesign does.
From slides about tools to a short guide, one question about you, and a first moment to pause.
From a warning and a list of lessons to today's path: a greeting, today's progress and one next step.
From chapters and a percentage to a streak, a calendar and milestones — progress as a habit forming.
Five decisions behind the redesign — each with real UI, cut from the design.
Today shows a short path: today's lesson first, then "Go deeper", which unlocks after the lesson, then a daily practice — reflect, an exercise or a quick tip. A bar on top shows how many of today's tasks are done.
Why"Where do I start?" is the hardest question on a heavy day. One visible next step answers it before it's asked.
After a short guide, the app asks one thing: which goal would you like to work on first? Six clear goals — and a seventh for anyone who doesn't know yet: "I'm not sure – I just want to find my direction".
WhyMany people start this kind of work without a clear goal. Not knowing is a valid answer, so it gets its own option.
Reflect your day starts with one tap — how was your day overall, from stressed to happy. Then two sets of chips: what uplifted you and what drained you. The summary puts it into one kind sentence, like "Today felt balanced."
WhyNaming a feeling is the first step of this work, and tapping is easier than writing when you're tired.
Your journey shows a streak with a soft message — "A habit is forming" — a calendar of active days and milestones like "First lesson completed". Chapter progress stays, but as one quiet line at the top — not the main number.
WhyFor people who are hard on themselves, a score to reach becomes another way to fail. Milestones celebrate what's already done.
Daisy, the AI companion, opens with one line about data protection and a link to the privacy policy. Then it offers starters in plain words: "I can't focus", "Help me reflect on my day", "I don't have energy today", "I feel anxious".
WhyPeople only open up when they feel safe. Ready-made phrases help when it's hard to find the first words.
The same few rules everywhere, so the app feels calm and predictable — important when the topic itself isn't.
Today always shows what to do next, with one main button.
No warnings, no guilt — "A habit is forming", "Today felt balanced".
Faces and chips first; writing is always optional.
Warm, dark surfaces with soft contrast for evening use.
Said in one line, right where people talk to Daisy.
Streaks and milestones first; chapter progress is one quiet line.
The same work in the form that fits the moment.
Skip in the guide, close on every sheet, and “I'm not sure” as a real answer.
The cold blue-grey became deep warm browns with soft cream text. One orange marks the next step; green says something is done; lilac, sky and sun colour the feelings.
#241E1CBackground#3A302ACards and sheets#9D7756Card gradients#FFF1E6Text on dark#FF9449The next step#95E356Done and live states#FAC0FFFeelings#B0DEFFCalm momentsDM Sans replaced the first version's Raleway: rounder and quieter, easy to read in long lessons and in small labels alike.
