When journalist Danielle Kate Wroe downloaded the Finch app in 2023, she anticipated a bit of colourful, nostalgic fun reminiscent of a Tamagotchi. What she didn't foresee was embarking on a 500-day streak that would genuinely revolutionise her approach to daily tasks and mental wellbeing.
How the Finch App Works
Upon downloading the app, users begin by naming and customising their own digital bird companion; Danielle chose the name Sparkles. The core mechanic involves setting a daily to-do list. Each completed task helps your bird embark on a six-hour adventure. When it returns, it shares reflections, and your chosen responses help it develop traits like compassion and interest.
Everyone starts their journey in Finchie Forest, but as your bird matures into an adult, it unlocks the ability to explore global destinations. The experience is enriched by the ability to buy clothes for your bird and furnish its home. Beyond the pet simulation, the app offers a suite of tools including mindfulness exercises, journaling prompts, and breathing techniques to help users centre themselves.
Accountability and Community Support
A key feature is the daily mood check-in. If you report feeling sad, the app provides additional support resources. Users can also connect with friends to send encouragements or simple reminders, like a prompt to drink water, which often arrive at surprisingly perfect moments.
Consistency is crucial. To maintain your streak and ensure your bird grows into an adult capable of worldwide travel, you must engage with the app daily. While you can use in-app coins to repair a broken streak a couple of times, the streak will eventually reset if neglected. This system provides powerful motivation to tick off your daily goals.
The Long-Term Impact
After 500 days of consistent use, Danielle reports the app has made her significantly more accountable. It has helped her incorporate vital habits into her routine, such as taking regular stretch breaks from her laptop, daily exercise, staying hydrated, and reading. The random messages from her bird, expressing pride in her accomplishments, add a uniquely sweet touch.
While not a cure for depression or anxiety, she believes the app offers substantial support. This sentiment is echoed by users on Reddit, where one clinical psychotherapist endorsed the app, calling it "like a hug when you didn't know you needed one." Another user with a 64-day streak shared that it motivated them to simply get out of bed and change clothes on difficult days, fostering a sense of productivity.
The app also rewards consistency with adorable micropets—Danielle's favourites are the cats—which hatch randomly each week, and prizes like home decor and coins for the in-app store. Although Danielle finds the paid plan, priced at £69.99 per year, too expensive, she confirms the free version offers robust functionality, making it a fantastic tool for anyone seeking extra motivation.
