If you’d told me a few months ago that a little virtual bird would help me take better care of myself using a Wellness App, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But here I am, 18 days into using Finch every single day — and honestly, I’m obsessed.
Finch is a self-care app that gamifies wellness in the most wholesome and effective way I’ve ever seen. When you first open the app, you create a little bird — you pick a name and pronouns, and from there, you set personal goals to care for yourself. Every time you complete a goal, your Finch goes on adventures, unlocks new clothes and furniture, and levels up. The more you take care of yourself, the more you help your Finch thrive. It is a bit like a Tamagotchi…but YOU are the Tamagotchi you have to take care of.
A Judgment-Free Approach to Goal-Setting
One of the first things that impressed me about Finch is how non-judgmental it is. That might sound strange, but it’s true. When you set your first goal, the app lets you write your own or choose from suggested goals — and the suggested ones are written with so much compassion. They range from low-effort goals like brushing your teeth or drinking water to more involved ones like meal prepping or organising a room.
What I love most is that Finch treats all goals equally. It recognises that for some people, getting out of bed and brushing their teeth is a huge win, while for others, the challenge might be tackling a work project or hitting the gym. There’s no hierarchy of achievement — progress is progress, and Finch celebrates all of it. It is something you can tailor to your current needs and as a chronic illness girlie – I understand too well quickly your abilities and needs can change. One day a win is booking a doctors appointment, another day going for a long lovely walk is the win. Being able to not only tailor it but also easily change the goals to what you need each day is a huge bonus.
Mindfulness Tools That Actually Help
Beyond goal-setting, Finch is packed with mindfulness tools designed to help you regulate your emotions and stay present.
You can:
– Set a focus timer with or without background sounds
– Listen to soothing soundscapes (like rainfall or ocean waves)
– Follow breathing exercises with calming visuals
– Do gentle stretches or yoga movements (including accessible options for those with mobility issues!)
I don’t use these tools every day, but I’m always glad they’re there when I need them. And the best part? Every time you use one, you earn points to unlock new outfits and accessories for your bird — positive reinforcement at its finest.
Journaling and Emotional Insights
There is even a journaling tool. After you complete a goal, you can quickly jot down how it went — or you can open the journal anytime for free-form writing or to answer thoughtful prompts. Finch even analyses what you’ve written, identifying patterns in your emotions and offering gentle insights.
For example, it might tell me that I’ve been more optimistic when journaling about my friendships or more anxious when writing about work.
Another standout feature is the mood check-in. Every few hours, you can rate your mood on a 1–5 scale (expressed with happy, neutral, and sad face emojis). Finch then shows you a mood tracker over time.
Gamifying Self-Care
Finch makes self-care feel rewarding. Even something as small as doing a two-minute breathing exercise earns you points that you can spend on new outfits or furniture for your bird. It’s silly, but it works. I find myself motivated to hit my goals because I want to see my little bird in a cute new outfit.
Connecting With Friends
Finch also has a social element — you can add friends, send them encouraging check-ins, or even virtual hugs. There’s something comforting about knowing that someone else is out there, rooting for you.
Free vs. Paid Version
Finch offers a free version and a paid version, but the free version gives you access to nearly all the tools. The paid version unlocks some extra soundscapes, exercises, and customisation options, but the core experience remains the same which I appreciate. Nothing bugs me more than feeling like I have to pay for yet another subscription to effectively use an app. The creators have made it so that if you don’t subscribe you can still use Finch to assist your wellness journey BUT if you wanted to pay to support the team you can unlock extra items you can buy for your wellness buddy.
Final Thoughts
Finch has quietly become one of the most effective self-care tools I’ve ever used. It helps me stay accountable, encourages me without judgment, and gives me tangible evidence of my progress. It’s the first wellness app that I have been looking forward to use each day. I can’t believe I have been using it every single day for nearly two weeks. Plus, my bird is so cute. If you’re looking for a gentle but effective way to improve your mental well-being, Finch might just be the app for you.
