How it all starts with small changes and baby steps.
By: Monica
I’ve been on a long journey of learning how to take care of myself. I’ve searched, tried, and experimented with different ways. And while the big things in life are easy to remember, I slowly realized that it’s the small things I always tend to forget. The simple habits that we keep are usually the first to slip when life gets busy. I discovered this app called Finch that changed how I start my day. I’ve been using it for months now, and these are the lessons I’ve learned along the way:
Setting small daily intentions
Knowing myself, I tend to forget the smallest things. The ones that should be the easiest. I’m the type who’ll remember deadlines and big tasks, but somehow forget to drink my vitamins… or even drink enough water. I can go through an entire day without realizing I haven’t paused once. So I started adding the tiny things to my Finch checklist not because they’re hard, but because I neglect them. Having to see those reminders when I open the app helped me catch myself. It’s like a subtle nudge and I find myself saying, “Oh yeah, I haven’t taken my vitamins yet.” And the more I practiced it, the more I noticed that these tiny reminders help me be consistent.
2. Make my bed
Who knew something so simple could shift my entire morning? Before, I didn’t really care about making my bed. I used to think, “Why fix it if I’m going to mess it up again anyway?” But once I got into the habit of doing it, I noticed the difference. Making my bed declutters my mind. It’s a signal to myself that I’m starting my day with order. It may be a small task, but it feels like an early win. The first accomplishment that makes me feel more organized throughout the day.
3. Checking in on myself
One thing I’ve learned is that checking in on my Finch bird is basically checking in on myself. Every time I open the app to see how my little birb is doing, I’m also reminded to ask how I’m doing. It’s a small moment, but it makes me slow down and actually acknowledge where I’m at that day. One of the tasks on my list is to pause and say thank you to myself. It sounds simple, but I didn’t realize how rarely I did that. Most days, I just push through everything without stopping to recognize the effort I’m putting in. Now, even if it’s just for a few seconds, I take a breath and thank myself while patting myself on the back or on my head. This small acknowledgment helped me keep going.
4. Think about the things I’m grateful for
One of the checklists I try to consistently do on the app is writing one thing I’m grateful for each day. At first, it was honestly a struggle. I overthought it. I felt like it had to be something big or meaningful. But the more I practiced it, the more I realized gratitude doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes it’s waking up to the smell of coffee. Sometimes it’s buying something I’m craving for. Sometimes it’s having 8 hours of sleep, not having to think of deadlines. Gratitude taught me to think of these small things I rarely acknowledge. It reminds me of what my mom used to tell me: “Count your blessings one by one.” And now, being intentional about it has become one of the most grounding parts of my day. It helps me to be positive in life, knowing that there are still things that I’m grateful for.
The thing about Finch is that it’s not just a “checklist”. It’s fun and interactive, which I love the most. Every time I finish a task, my bird gains energy. I get to buy her clothes, decorate her room, and even let her travel to different countries and discover new things. This app made me realize that it’s not always about the big ones that change you. Sometimes it’s remembering the basic, small habits, the quiet pauses and reflections, and simple acknowledgments. It made me more aware, more intentional, and a little kinder to myself.
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