exist - Social Wellness App for Middle Age

Introducing Exist: A Social Wellness App for Midlife

A novel iOS application, Exist, has been launched with the intention of fostering connections and supportive communities among individuals in middle age as they navigate life’s challenges.

Positioning itself as a more dynamic alternative to apps like Calm or Headspace, Exist centers around the concept of social journaling. This approach aims to facilitate collective healing and mutual support, moving away from solitary self-reflection.

Core Features and Functionality

Beyond social journaling, the app incorporates several tools for well-being. These include a daily mood tracker, audio exercises, and guided meditations, providing a comprehensive suite of resources.

The platform features a feed reminiscent of TikTok, enabling users to browse a combination of video and text-based journal entries and responses to daily prompts.

The Founders and Inspiration

Alicia Waldner, founder of ADventure Marketing, and Jason Jardim, a previous startup founder of Lounge and an iOS developer, are the driving forces behind Exist.

Waldner shared with TechCrunch that her inspiration stemmed from observing a demand for accessible, community-focused mental wellness experiences. She sought to replicate this sense of connection within a mobile application.

Jardim was brought on board as CTO through Indeed and subsequently became a co-founder, contributing his technical expertise to realize Waldner’s vision.

Shifting Focus to the 40+ Demographic

Initially conceived for Gen Z, Exist unexpectedly found its core audience among middle-aged individuals. The average age of early adopters was 40, prompting a strategic shift in focus.

This realization led the founders to tailor the app’s features and messaging specifically to the needs and interests of this demographic.

The Power of Social Interaction

“The biggest feature that makes us different is the community side,” Waldner emphasized. Existing audio-based wellness apps often leave users feeling isolated.

Exist transforms the traditionally solitary practices of meditation and journaling into shared experiences, allowing users to connect, offer support, and exchange advice.

Users can engage with posts by leaving comments, fostering a sense of belonging and shared understanding.

AI-Powered Self-Exploration

The app also integrates an AI-driven question feature designed to encourage deeper self-reflection. This tool prompts users to elaborate on their journal entries and explore their thoughts and emotions more thoroughly.

The intention is to help individuals uncover the root causes of their challenges and gain a more profound understanding of themselves.

Subscription Model and Future Development

Access to the community and social journaling features is provided free of charge.

A monthly subscription of $5.99 unlocks access to guided audio sessions and meditations.

Looking ahead, the startup plans to further enhance the app’s focus on human connection and explore new ways to improve the user experience.

Future development includes features for tracking sleep patterns and emotions, as well as more personalized journaling prompts.