Even the Most Laid-Back Jobs Have Moments When You Just Need to "Unwind and Release"
As an ordinary planner at an advertising agency, I’ve always thought my work rhythm was manageable — I barely work overtime and strictly reserve weekends for rest. But once I stepped into the workplace, I realized stress doesn’t always come from pulling all-nighters; it’s the back-to-back meetings, sudden client requests, and the constant tension of staring at a computer screen for hours.
Last Wednesday, after a three-hour video meeting, I looked at my screen full of unread emails and suddenly had the urge to "smash the keyboard into the screen." Another time, I hit a wall while drafting a proposal — staring at a blank document for 30 minutes without writing a word, mindlessly picking at the corner of my desk until my nails were almost worn down. These moments aren’t major setbacks, but they pile up like small stones in your heart, leaving you inexplicably irritable.
I tried many ways to relieve stress: sipping a hot coffee in the pantry while zoning out for five minutes, walking around the office twice, even secretly listening to a song with headphones — but the effect was always temporary. As soon as I sat back at my desk, the tension came rushing back. After all, the work was still there; I couldn’t keep "escaping." What I needed was a small tool I could use at my desk anytime, without disturbing others, that could quickly release my emotions.
An Unexpected Find on Instagram — Captivated by the Squishy’s Looks
The turning point came on a weekend afternoon. I was lying on the sofa scrolling through Instagram when the algorithm recommended a post about "desk calming gadgets." Among them, that soft-colored squishy toy immediately caught my eye. Unlike those exaggerated stress balls, it was shaped like clouds, small cakes, and avocados. Its macaron-colored exterior looked so soft and squishy, and the comment section was filled with messages like "Super stress-relieving to squeeze" and "So calming on the desk."
Clicking into the squishy’s independent website made me even more tempted. The material was labeled food-grade silicone — safe and odorless, with great elasticity that allowed it to bounce back quickly after being squished. Most importantly, it was compact, just the size of my palm, so it didn’t take up space on my desk and could be tucked into my pocket during meetings without anyone noticing.
I hesitated for ten minutes before choosing a light blue sea salt strawberry cake squishy. After all, staring at a computer all day, seeing such a soft color instantly lifts my mood. It arrived a few days after I placed the order, and I was amazed by the texture as soon as I opened the package. It looked so much like a real small cake — I almost wanted to take a bite, haha! The feel of squeezing it was even better: it’s soft, and you can clearly feel the stress melting away the moment you press it, with a super soothing sound.Â
A New Desk Favorite! The "Stress-Relief Essential" Between Work Tasks
Since placing the squishy on my desk, it’s become my most-used small item. When organizing emails in the morning and encountering tricky requests, I unconsciously squeeze it while looking at the screen. The soft texture helps me calm down quickly, and my messy thoughts gradually become clear. After lunch, I go back to my desk and squeeze it dozens of times while my brain is zoning out — it relieves the fatigue of staring at the computer all morning, making me more energetic for the afternoon work.Â
The biggest surprise is during meetings. Before, during long, tedious meetings, I couldn’t help but zone out or feel irritable. Now, I keep the squishy in my pocket. When I feel bored or stressed, I secretly squeeze it a few times. It diverts my attention and quietly releases my emotions, allowing me to stay focused throughout the meeting.
Colleagues noticed me squeezing this small cake all the time and asked curiously what it was. I let them try it, and several people in the office immediately placed orders. One colleague said she used to bite her nails when stressed at work, but now with the squishy, she’s finally kicked that habit. Plus, the squishy looks great — it doubles as a desk decoration, killing two birds with one stone.Â
More Than Just a Toy — An "Emotional Outlet" at Work
I used to think relieving work stress required "large chunks of time," like hiking or watching a movie on weekends, or traveling during vacations. But since getting the squishy, I’ve realized that what really pushes people to the edge isn’t major setbacks, but the small accumulated emotions in daily work — a difficult client, a miscommunication, a creative block.
And the squishy provides an instant outlet for these small emotions. You don’t need to set aside special time or leave your desk; just reach out and squeeze it a few times when you feel irritable, anxious, or tired, and you can quickly adjust your state. This "easily accessible" stress-relief method is actually more suitable for fast-paced workplace life.
Now, on my desk, besides the computer and documents, the light blue sea salt strawberry cake squishy is the most eye-catching. Unlike potted plants that need watering and care, or aromatherapy that might bother others with its scent, it offers direct comfort whenever I need it. Every time I squeeze it and watch it bounce back quickly from being flattened, it feels like my stress fades away with it.
If you’re like me — feeling inexplicably irritable or tense at work, or just looking for a small item to help you relax — I really highly recommend the squishy. It’s affordable, but it brings great happiness to work, giving you a reliable "emotional outlet" in the busy workplace and making every workday more calm and enjoyable.
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