I ditched my to-do list for a virtual pet app, and my productivity actually improved

Finch is a mobile self-care app built around a virtual pet that grows as you complete daily tasks. Unlike traditional to-do list apps, it uses gamification — earning energy points, sending your pet on quests, and unlocking virtual outfits and items — to make small, easy-to-ignore tasks feel rewarding. The app comes preloaded with self-care reminders like stretching, drinking water, and mindful breathing. While it excels at motivating completion of minor tasks and building healthy habits, it lacks the depth needed for complex project management with subtasks and hierarchies.