Finch app progress - me and Sarooroo
Sep. 15th, 2025 10:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
serafaerySo much I want to share about the past week, and celebrating our wedding anniversary and such (brunch! sunflower farm! silks! dancing! the vampire ball before I got sick last weekend, also!) but I have to run off to work. But before I skedaddle, I just needed to gush about this little app I've been using.
I have never been a gamer, never played any games on my phone or used any sort of gameified app of any kind before - generally even with basic apps like facebook messenger I turn off all notifications because my phone bleeping at me stresses me out so much. I can't even open tiktok without an instant migraine, it's so over-stimulating to my already overwhelmed little brain.
But this app has been a game changer. I don't know if the effects will last, I'm only three weeks in. I complained earlier that it doesn't help with my mood and it kinda doesn't - but I am trying to be at peace with the fact that as long as I refuse medication, I will always be depressed. But it is manageable, with other forms of help.
As I've gotten used to the app and figured out how to use the goals in a way that works for me, the following things have dramatically improved:
* keeps me from doomscrolling - the app itself is more fun
* helps me stay connected to friends - I was getting all kinds of emotional turmoil from reaching out to friends and not getting the kinds of responses I wanted, but the app itself rewards me for it and it is astronomically helpful, I do not depend on their reactions so much, and also their reactions have ALL been positive so far anyway?
* helps me with breath work for calm - I associated breathing exercises with anxiety for so long that I have resisted them for about two decades, but with the app rewarding me for it, I can do it without that association and it actually is starting to feel good again
* I'm actually taking my supplements daily - I get points for it and can get cute outfits for my birb!
* I finally am doing my PT every morning - !!! I struggled with this for MONTHS
* I have brushed my teeth consistently every night for weeks - this is new!
* I am keeping up better with chores and cleaning - something I always need help with!
Along with this, the little "easy wins" help regulate my mood and keep me calm. I have a goal of "think about a favorite memory" and I cannot describe how much joy this brings me on a daily basis, to stop and take just a few seconds to do this is so wonderful!
This goes for "visualizing a peaceful place" and "think about someone who helped me today" and other gentle reminders.
I cannot say enough about how fun this is. And it is FREE! The free version has a ton of features, I don't see the need to upgrade.
There is that danger I mentioned of getting too focused on the rewards and not enough focus on the aspect of self-care and improving daily life, but as soon as I quit that non-official facebook group that has gotten much easier for me. I still jones for the occasional cute item but it's not an overwhelming feeling that distracts me from the tasks themselves. At least for now.
My birb is traveling for the first time and I am actually nervous for her because I never fly/travel any great distance. I wonder if it might help me get over my fear of visiting Mexico at some point in my future, something I've wanted to do for 20 years, ever since I read about the whales in Baja in Douglas Adams' book, "Last Chance to See."
If you are at all curious and want to explore the app, my invite will get you a micropet for joining - for this invite I chose a little gryphon!
I picked a micropet just for you!
Tap this link or use my friend code 4BW641F2QS7 for a special reward!
Finch.go.link
Also look how cute the art is! It's so clever. The day Geogio Armani died, my shop offered "Italian Designer Trousers" - the subtlety of cleverness delights me!
I have never been a gamer, never played any games on my phone or used any sort of gameified app of any kind before - generally even with basic apps like facebook messenger I turn off all notifications because my phone bleeping at me stresses me out so much. I can't even open tiktok without an instant migraine, it's so over-stimulating to my already overwhelmed little brain.
But this app has been a game changer. I don't know if the effects will last, I'm only three weeks in. I complained earlier that it doesn't help with my mood and it kinda doesn't - but I am trying to be at peace with the fact that as long as I refuse medication, I will always be depressed. But it is manageable, with other forms of help.
As I've gotten used to the app and figured out how to use the goals in a way that works for me, the following things have dramatically improved:
* keeps me from doomscrolling - the app itself is more fun
* helps me stay connected to friends - I was getting all kinds of emotional turmoil from reaching out to friends and not getting the kinds of responses I wanted, but the app itself rewards me for it and it is astronomically helpful, I do not depend on their reactions so much, and also their reactions have ALL been positive so far anyway?
* helps me with breath work for calm - I associated breathing exercises with anxiety for so long that I have resisted them for about two decades, but with the app rewarding me for it, I can do it without that association and it actually is starting to feel good again
* I'm actually taking my supplements daily - I get points for it and can get cute outfits for my birb!
* I finally am doing my PT every morning - !!! I struggled with this for MONTHS
* I have brushed my teeth consistently every night for weeks - this is new!
* I am keeping up better with chores and cleaning - something I always need help with!
Along with this, the little "easy wins" help regulate my mood and keep me calm. I have a goal of "think about a favorite memory" and I cannot describe how much joy this brings me on a daily basis, to stop and take just a few seconds to do this is so wonderful!
This goes for "visualizing a peaceful place" and "think about someone who helped me today" and other gentle reminders.
I cannot say enough about how fun this is. And it is FREE! The free version has a ton of features, I don't see the need to upgrade.
There is that danger I mentioned of getting too focused on the rewards and not enough focus on the aspect of self-care and improving daily life, but as soon as I quit that non-official facebook group that has gotten much easier for me. I still jones for the occasional cute item but it's not an overwhelming feeling that distracts me from the tasks themselves. At least for now.
My birb is traveling for the first time and I am actually nervous for her because I never fly/travel any great distance. I wonder if it might help me get over my fear of visiting Mexico at some point in my future, something I've wanted to do for 20 years, ever since I read about the whales in Baja in Douglas Adams' book, "Last Chance to See."
If you are at all curious and want to explore the app, my invite will get you a micropet for joining - for this invite I chose a little gryphon!
I picked a micropet just for you!
Tap this link or use my friend code 4BW641F2QS7 for a special reward!
Finch.go.link
Also look how cute the art is! It's so clever. The day Geogio Armani died, my shop offered "Italian Designer Trousers" - the subtlety of cleverness delights me!
