If you have ADHD like me, you are probably on the endless pursuit of things that would give you a bit more dopamine. Checking things off a list can be one of the ways. But what if you took it one step further and made it a game where you can earn things? Instant dopamine!
When I discovered Finch, I was skeptical at first. But with so many recommendations all over the internet, I decided to give it a try. And soon I was hooked.
What is this app about? Essentially, by taking care of a small bird you are taking care of yourself. You add tasks to your list, and as you check them off, you give your bird the energy to go explore the world. You also gain rainbow stones, which you can use to buy your bird cute outfits or furniture for his birdhouse.
Also, you can add friends and send them hugs and greetings. It’s an immensely positive app and it’s cute. What’s there not to love?
Finch helped me stick to new habits
When I started using Finch, I didn’t expect it to last long. I didn’t think it would be much different than my ordinary to-do list. Oh, how I was mistaken! I think it’s because the app showers rewards on you for completing the tasks. It is so satisfying to check off a task because the app gives you praise, accompanied by a cool sound effect and rainbow stones.
As you check off at least four tasks, you can send your birdie on an adventure, which will bring you new discoveries about the world and more rainbow stones. And did I mention that every month, there is a thematic quest that will give you even more rewards for going on the adventure?
The feeling I’m working towards a goal that will give me a reward not someday in the future, but the very same day, helps me to really get motivated to finish the tasks. Since I got the app, I started to change my bedsheets and towels regularly or put a medical ointment on my hands three times a day — a task that was all but impossible for my AuDHD brain before!
I have started to think of myself as a little bird — and it helps me to be kinder to myself
My Cheesecake gets energy when I finish a task so he can go on an adventure. Like this baby bird, I realized that I needed to gain energy so I could do unpleasant tasks. Washing the kitchen floor is much easier when I go for a walk and get a lemonade beforehand!
Unexpected side benefit: less online impulse shopping
Lately, I have started to develop a habit of getting my dopamine through online shopping. I have been trying to curb it because it can get quite expensive. To my great surprise, Finch seems to scratch that particular itch! As I go through different outfits and house decorations for Cheesecake every day and shop for them with my rainbow stones, I noticed that I almost stopped buying things online. It seems that my brain considers ‘buying’ things in the app real enough.
It’s more fun with friends
As I have mentioned above, you can add friends in the app. Just go to your bird’s profile on the bottom right, copy your code, and send it to a friend. When they put it into their app, you become Finch friends and are able to see each other’s progress and send good vibes to them.
Also, it’s quite fun to see how their birdhouse looks at the moment and compare the things you are contemplating buying. I often exchange screenshots of this or that cool accessory or decoration with my friends along with the question “Should I buy this?”
Another nice thing is that you get various rewards for the first three friends who put your code in the app.
How the app works
When you open the Finch app, the first thing you will see is a cute encouraging quote and a graphic scale to mark your current mood. (A cute quirk is that when you are in a bad mood, Finch gives you extra energy and rainbow stones for completing your tasks!)
Screenshot by the author
After that, you have several tabs on the bottom of your screen. The most important is the Home. That’s where you can see your birdie and interact with him, and also where the checklist with your tasks (or goals, as the app calls them) is. As you create new goals, you can set them on repeat, set them at a specific time, choose if you want to be notified, or if the goal will keep appearing the next day until you check it off. You can also create a goal that needs to be completed several times a day.
On the top left of the Home tab, you can see the settings menu and on the top right, there are various self-care exercises you can try.
Screenshot by the author
Then you have quests, which are small tasks you can complete for extra rainbow stones. You will also find here a special event every month that offers you thematic rewards every day. For example, the special event for July is named Campfire Chronicles and you can earn camping-related items here.
Screenshots by the author
The shop is where you will find new clothes for your birdie, and when you keep using the app, you will unlock the furniture shop, a body paint shop, and a travel agency. You have a standard selection of clothes and furniture that doesn’t change, and then every day, there are items that appear only once and then disappear. It makes the thrill of the hunt real!
Screenshots by the author
On the Friends tab, you can see the friends you added. If you click on a friend, you can see what new things their bird has recently discovered. (Don’t worry, your goals and personal data are never shared.) You can also enable “Share birdhouse with friends” in the Settings — Preferences — Manage your visitors’ menu, which will let your friends see the home decor you are currently using.
Screenshots by the author
A Bag is where all the items you bought or earned are stored. When you open the bag, you can change your birdie’s outfit and home. In the Furniture part, you can save a home decor to retrieve it later by clicking on the heart icon.
Screenshots by the author
Last but not least, there is a tab with your bird’s name. On it, you will see various info about your little bird. You will also find the friend code here.
Screenshots by the author
As you can see, Finch is a fantastic app for anyone looking to boost their self-care and motivation. It’s not just about setting goals and tracking habits — it’s about doing it in a fun, engaging way with the help of a cute virtual pet. Finch makes the whole process feel more like a game and less like a chore, which can make a big difference in staying motivated.
If you’re on a journey to better mental health and personal growth, Finch can be a great companion, helping you build lasting positive changes and leading a more balanced, motivated life.
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