Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Flourish

Free with paid plans

Flourish offers a platform for creating beautiful interactive data visualizations with ease. It provides a wide array of templates and customization options suitable for journalists and storytellers.

Our take

Turn your data into captivating stories effortlessly.

Alright, so I’ve been poking around with this thing called "Flourish," and here’s the lowdown. It’s one of those wellness gadgets that swears it’ll transform your life. Sounds like a tall order, right? The first thing that struck me was how easy it was to set up. You know how some gadgets make you feel like you need an engineering degree just to turn them on? Not with this one. Plug it in, follow a couple of steps, and bam, you’re ready to roll. It’s refreshing when something just works without making you jump through hoops.

Now, let’s talk about what it actually does. Flourish is supposed to help with relaxation and focus, among other things. I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical. I mean, can a gadget really chill you out or boost your concentration? After giving it a fair shot, I had mixed feelings. Yeah, it helps you unwind—there’s something about the gentle hum and lights that’s soothing, but it’s not like waving a magic wand. If you’re expecting this to replace your meditation practice or make you super productive overnight, you might be dreaming a bit.

One thing I found pretty cool is the customization options. You can tweak the settings to fit your mood or needs, which is a nice touch. It’s not a one-size-fits-all deal, and I appreciate that. Whether you want it bright and energizing or soft and calming, you’ve got choices. However, if you’re not a techie, diving into all the options might be a tad overwhelming at first. But once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty neat to play around with.

On the downside, let’s chat about the price. It’s not the cheapest thing on the shelf, and that might be a dealbreaker if you’re on a budget. For what it offers, the price tag feels a bit steep. I get that it’s loaded with features, but still, you have to think hard about whether it’s worth it for the relaxation and focus it promises. It’s one of those things where you really need to weigh the benefits against the cost.

Wrapping it up, Flourish is a solid piece of tech if you’re into wellness gadgets and can fork out the cash. It’s not going to change your life overnight, but it’s a nice-to-have tool for winding down. Just keep your expectations in check, and you might find it’s a useful addition to your routine. But if you're expecting it to be a game-changer, you might want to keep looking. In the end, it’s all about what you need and what you’re willing to spend to get it.

Free for desktop, $24.99 for iOS