I wish I could say I was the kind of person who tried to get used to, and let me spend all the things I needed to do in the day, but the reality is far from it. When a person with overlapping chronic illnesses tries to juggle a full-time job and life outside, getting out of bed often feels like a big feat. I was trapped in a war between permanent exhaustion and lack of motivation and whether I could get over it Anything My to-do list is usually a gamble.
However, a few months ago, a friend suggested that I try using the Finch app to help me build some mild structure and get more of what I want every day. I've seen this “self-service pet” ad on Instagram, and it's a tiny push that I really put in. Now, about four months later, we are still here and I still use it all the time like my own cute life coach.
Finch is a habit tracker, motivational app and virtual pet. It gives you a little bird (ok, “Birb”) that can be lifted from the egg and grow up and learn about the world as it grows. But unlike many of my needy Tamagotchis, this is not the kind of pet you need to worry about keeping your life.
Taking good care of your bird involves wearing cute outfits, stroking it, changing the decorations in your home, and sending it to a small adventure. Your bird, in turn, will sign in to you throughout the day, provide words of encouragement, and remind you to accomplish your goals and celebrate your victory as you complete your work. I use the free version of the app and I find it enough for my needs, but there is also a subscription-based version that unlocks more projects, a complete library of instructional exercises, etc.
If you are looking at my target list, it can be very tough at first. There are more than 20 tasks on any day. However, these importance vary, ranging from the minimum things I need to do to start a new day (such as getting up, brushing my teeth and taking morning medications) to people who need more commitment, such as exercising or doing laundry. Finch doesn't take an in-guid approach for target tracking, so if you don't finish everything in all the list, you won't be scolded or humiliated. There are actually no consequences. More about highlighting you Have done it Done instead of focusing on what you don’t have and develop healthy habits in the process.
You will reward rainbow stones to accomplish each goal, which can be used as currency for various stores to buy clothes, furniture and new colors for your birds. Over time, you can also collect and raise cute “miniature people” as companions of your bird (kind of like Petpets in Neopets).
Sometimes it’s more helpful to see bigger situations, and you can classify the task as a “journey” to better understand the overall progress in certain areas. The journey is color coded with layered rewards that you will earn by reaching certain milestones of your related goals. I may not check my “workout for 30+ minutes” goal every day for a week, but the three days I’ve worked out will count on my “moving, healthy” journey. There, I can also see how many times I have accomplished related goals since I started tracking them.
Opening the app every day will also bring some rewards. I love keeping the winning streak, and I just got my longest stripe lately: 32 days! I felt a little frustrated when I finally forgot to check in on a very busy day, but I still find myself working on impressed by the days I showed up for several consecutive days. This just makes me want to do better. As part of the seasonal event, you will also be gifted themed items and rainbow stones, as well as daily tasks such as writing reflections or sending a good atmosphere to friends.
In particular, the latter is an important part of what makes Finch so special. There is a strong “we’re together” energy throughout the process, which is powered by features that enable you to actively support and get support from other Finch users. You can use the code to add friends on the app, your birds can visit each other’s houses and bring a little message or gift to other users. My friends and I walked back and forth, sending random hugs, encouragement and other positive critters from the list of options. Some users even exchange their code with others online to make their support circle bigger.
And, if you want to treat strangers further, you can give the paid version of the paid version (Finch Plus) to users who may not be able to afford it. The app keeps reminding Someone Whether it’s Little Birds as your personal cheerleader or other real Finch users, cheer you on.
There are many built-in tools that can help promote self-care, such as guided breathing exercises, exercise habits, and tips for written reflection. The app asks you about your mood multiple times a day, and when you show that the situation is not so good, it provides you with some “first aid kits” with some optional activities to help you feel or manage your anxiety (also accessible in the menu). It also links to a website with a helpline for confidential emotional support.
I've tried some self-care and productivity apps over the years, but Finch is the first one I actually stick with in a long time. I like how to tailor it to your specific needs with presets and custom goals, while the low-risk virtual pet elements make it a pleasure to use. I love my little Bob (Ripper Jr. Maybe I will never be someone who wakes up to sunrise and gets five things done by 10am, but Lil Ripper Jr. and I are still getting the job done.
This article originally appeared on Engadget
