Kai's 365-Day Journey: A Full Year of Self-Driven Mindfulness
From bedtime battles to an unbroken year of calm — entirely led by an ten-year-old.
When we shared Kai's 100-day streak last year, we thought that was remarkable. We had no idea that nine months later we'd be writing this: Kai has now completed 365 consecutive days of Stix mindfulness activities. A full, unbroken year.
But the number isn't even the most impressive part. What makes Kai's story truly extraordinary is how he got here. Every single session — twice a day, morning and night — has been completely self-driven. No reminders from Dad. No parental prompting. Just a child who found something that works for him, and decided to keep showing up.
“Kai used to need me to stay in the room for him to fall asleep, but since using Stix, that’s completely changed. He’s really proud of himself for that, and I’m very relieved.” — Kai’s Dad, Chris
Twice a Day, Every Day
Kai's routine has a beautiful simplicity to it. Each morning before school, he uses Stix to do a movement-based activity — something to energise his body and focus his mind before the school day begins. And each evening at bedtime, he winds down with one of Stix's sleep exercises, helping his nervous system shift from the busyness of the day to a place of calm.
That's 700 individual sessions across a year. More than 700 moments of intentional self-regulation, built entirely into the rhythm of his day.
For parents of children with ADHD, this kind of consistency can feel almost unimaginable. And yet here it is — living proof that when a tool genuinely meets a child where they are, they don't need to be nagged into using it. They just do.
The Power of Child-Led Practice
One of the things we care most deeply about at Stix is building something children actually want to use. Not because a parent told them to. Not because it's scheduled homework. Because it feels good, and they can see and feel the difference it makes.
Kai is a perfect example of what happens when that clicks. The combination of Stix’s movement-based morning activities, which engage the body through haptic feedback, lights, and guided motion, and the gentler, more settling sleep exercises at night gives him two different but complementary anchors in his day.
The independence he’s built as a result is the real win. Learning to fall asleep on his own. Feeling proud of himself. Developing emotional regulation skills that will serve him for life - and doing it in a way that feels like play, not therapy.
Helping Kids with ADHD Thrive
Stix was originally created to support children struggling with big emotions; especially those with ADHD, like our co-founder Liam’s younger brother. Children with ADHD often face unique challenges when it comes to emotional regulation, sensory processing, and winding down at the end of the day. Their nervous systems are wired differently, and the tools designed to help them need to reflect that.
Kai’s journey is proof that simple, interactive, sensory-rich tools, designed with neurodiverse children in mind, can make a profound difference in day-to-day life. Not just for the child, but for the whole family.
Always Listening, Always Innovating
Kai was such an enthusiastic early user of our original content that we invited him to beta test Stix Plus - our upcoming launch of 99+ new exercises. These include activities specifically designed to support bedtime routines, boost confidence, and help children transition from high energy to calm focus with ease.
Every child like Kai helps us understand what truly works. Whether it’s refining our content, enhancing how Stix responds to movement, or rethinking how we support different neurotypes - we’re committed to continuous improvement, guided by the children who use Stix every day.
Here’s to Year Two
While we’re still very much working on our own streaks (our German lessons remain considerably less consistent 😅), Kai’s dedication is something we carry with us. It’s a reminder of why we built Stix, and what it can become in the hands of the right child.
Kai’s dad Chris has noticed the changes rippling out in other ways too. “It helps him manage routines more generally,” he told us. “Having something he enjoys at anchor points in the day helps him to stick to his routine overall.”
Chris has also seen a shift in Kai’s emotional self-awareness — he’s more in tune with how he’s feeling, and more willing to be honest about it when asked. But perhaps the most telling sign of all? Kai has started encouraging the people around him to be more mindful too. “If I’m feeling a bit stressed,” Chris told us, “he’ll ask me to do some deep breaths.” A year ago, Kai needed a parent in the room to fall asleep. Now he’s the one offering calm to others.
365 days. 730 sessions. One very proud kid. Congratulations, Kai — we’re honoured to be part of your routine.
