It seems that self-care has found a new ally in technology. Finch, a self-care widget pet, emerges as a novel tool to assist individuals dealing with various mental health challenges, from anxiety and depression to ADHD. This innovative app centres around a charming virtual bird, which users can accompany on daily adventures, encouraging both the avatar and the user to grow and heal.
Upon commencing your journey with Finch, the app prompts you to set personal goals, which can range from simple daily tasks like getting out of bed to more involved activities such as meal prepping. The goals are suggested with empathy, recognising that everyone’s capabilities and challenges are unique, thus removing any judgment about the ‘difficulty’ of the goals. Users can customise their virtual bird and even name it, adding a personal touch to the experience.
What sets Finch apart is its interactive features that foster a community-centric approach to mental health. Users can connect with friends and family, sharing ‘good vibes’ like virtual hugs or high-fives, enhancing the communal support system.
Additionally, the app offers a plethora of activities aimed at personal growth. From focus timers with ambient sounds to breathing exercises and gentle yoga, these features are occasionally integrated into the user’s routine, promoting mindfulness and self-reflection, and offering rewards in the form of in-game currency. This currency can be used to acquire new accessories for the pet, enhancing the gaming aspect of the app.
The journaling feature is particularly robust, allowing users to document their thoughts and activities freely or in response to prompts. The app analyses these entries to offer insights into emotional patterns, sometimes with amusing inaccuracies, yet often providing valuable reflections on one’s mental state.
Finch provides a weekly summary that attempts to conclude user-inputted data, offering an automated yet insightful look at one’s emotional well-being over time. Users can also opt for the paid version of Finch (Finch Plus), which opens all of the self-care features on the app. A subscription of S$14.98 a month/S$99.98 for 12 months is required to unlock over 100 exercises, access mailbox content, and change tag emojis, among others.
While not a substitute for professional mental health care, Finch offers a unique blend of game-like interaction and mental health support, making it a delightful addition to anyone’s daily routine. This app is recommended for those seeking a sprinkle of joy and digital companionship through a charmingly animated bird, enriching their path to self-care and mental wellness.
Finch is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for free, with an optional membership plan available. More information about Finch can be found on the website.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
Trinity Sun
