A Little Pupsteps Life Update: Growing, Learning & Moving Forward

 

It’s been a little while since I shared a proper behind the scenes update, and there’s been quite a lot happening both with Pupsteps and in my own little world.

First, some personal news that I’m incredibly proud of: I passed my second year of Forensic Psychology with flying colours! 

I’m now getting ready to begin Year 3, which feels slightly terrifying, very exciting, and a little surreal. Balancing university, work, everyday life and developing Pupsteps certainly hasn’t always been easy, but seeing another year completed has made all of those late nights worth it.

 Finding My Feet Again

The last few months have brought some challenges at work too, which meant Pupsteps sometimes had to take a quieter place in the background while I focused on getting everything else settled.

Thankfully, things are beginning to feel much calmer now.

And with that has come something I’ve really missed: having the headspace to sit down, open Pupsteps and think about where I want our little app to go next.

Rather than rushing to add things for the sake of adding them, I’ve been working on a proper plan for Pupsteps. There are some special updates being worked on behind the scenes, along with lots of little improvements, tidying and polishing to keep the app feeling cozy, gentle and simple.

There may even be a few more ways to make your little pup feel like your pup.

 Pupsteps Has Joined X!

I’ve also recently taken the slightly scary step of bringing Pupsteps over to X, formerly Twitter.

As a small independent app, reaching new people is probably one of the hardest parts. I can spend countless hours building something I care about, but eventually I have to actually tell people it exists!

So I’m starting to branch out a little more, share Pupsteps with a wider audience and hopefully find more people who might benefit from having a gentle little companion in their pocket.

Every follow, share, recommendation, review and bit of word of mouth genuinely makes a difference to a tiny app like Pupsteps.

 And Then Something Pretty Special Happened…

One piece of news still feels rather surreal to write:

Pupsteps is now being promoted through an NHS Recovery Academy. 

Seeing something I originally created with such a simple idea behind it, making everyday wellbeing feel a little softer, friendlier and less overwhelming, beginning to reach people through a recovery focused service means an enormous amount to me.

Pupsteps was never supposed to shout at you for missing a streak or make you feel guilty because today wasn’t productive enough.

Sometimes getting out of bed is an achievement.

Sometimes taking care of yourself means doing one tiny thing.

And sometimes you just need a little virtual dog sitting there reminding you that small steps still count.

That has always been at the heart of Pupsteps.

 So… What Comes Next?

More Pupsteps.

I’m heading into my final year of university, work is settling down, and I’ve got a clearer plan for where I want to take the app next.

There are new updates being worked on, existing features getting some extra love, more customisation on the way, and plenty of little ideas scribbled down waiting for their turn.

I’m still developing Pupsteps independently, so things may sometimes move a little more slowly than they would with a giant development team behind them.

But that also means every tiny paw print, button, colour, feature and silly little detail has been put there with care.

Thank you to everyone who has downloaded Pupsteps, tested it, sent feedback, shared it with somebody, left a review or simply let their little virtual pup become part of their day.

We’re still growing. We’re still learning. And we’re taking it one little paw step at a time.

Lots of love

Anastacia

Founder of Pupsteps.