Do you often see those videos on social media too? A little hand squishing something soft, making a squishy sound, with relaxing music in the background. The comments are full of people asking for links and saying they need one.
Yes, I'm talking about squishies!
It's super popular on tiktok and ins！ what's the deal with squishies? Do they really help relieve stress? Or do you get bored after just two days?
As a regular office worker constantly stressed out, with 800 cat photos on my phone, I decided to buy a few and test them myself!
1. What Are "Squishies"? Are They Just Like the Play-Doh from Our Childhood?
No, no! If you think squishies are like the Play-Doh we played with as kids, you're completely wrong!
Modern squishies are mostly made of materials like silicone, glycerin, or resin. Their texture is somewhere between Jell-O and mochi—soft, chewy, and they bounce back slowly when squeezed. That slow rebound creates a very soothing sensation.
They also come in tons of shapes: little cakes, fried eggs, bear cubs, bunnies, and even poop shapes... (Yes, the poop emoji. 💩)
2. I Bought 7 Squishies: Here's My Real Experience Report!
In the spirit of thorough testing, I ordered 7 different shapes and types of squishies all at once. The day the package arrived, I felt like a kid opening holiday gifts.
🍳 The Fried Egg Squishy
Super cute. The yolk part is soft, while the egg white is a bit firmer. Squishing it gives a layered feel, and the slow rebound is satisfying. Somehow, it gives me the illusion that I'm frying an egg.
🐻 The Bear Cub Squishy
It's genuinely adorable, but because of its detailed shape, some parts are harder to squeeze, and it's easy to leave nail marks. Maybe avoid playing with it right after a manicure. (Don't ask how I know.)
🍰 The Cream Cake Squishy
It has a "cream" coating on the surface, giving it a slightly oily but not sticky feel. It even has a light, sweet scent. But I always worry I'll squish it flat...
💩 The Poop Emoji Squishy
Yes, I bought it. And surprisingly, it has the best feel! It's uniformly soft all over, and there's zero psychological pressure when squishing it (it's just poop, after all). It's my favorite one! (Do I have a problem?)
🧊 The Ice Cube Squishy
It's transparent with glitter inside—shaking it looks beautiful. It feels more watery to the touch, like squeezing a water balloon, but you have to be careful not to poke it with your nails.
🦑 The Squid Squishy
The tentacles are great to squeeze. After squishing, they slowly return to shape. Watching that process is very therapeutic.
🧩 The Pixel Block Squishy
It looks like a little mosaic block. Squishing it gives a grid-like sensation, which somehow feels satisfying for someone with a slight obsessive-compulsive streak.
3. Do Squishies Really Relieve Stress? My One-Week Experience Diary
Monday:
The squishies just arrived. Excitedly tried each one.
✅ Result: Mood definitely improved. The novel texture was fun. Squeezing one during a meeting kept me from wanting to throw my phone.
Wednesday:
Work was stressful. Went all out on the "poop" squishy.
✅ Result: The solid feel was great. Squishing it felt like crushing my worries. (Even if it's psychological, it works!)
Friday:
Starting to get a little bored. Switched between different squishies.
⚠️ Note: Don't stick to just one—it loses its effect. Recommend rotating them.
Sunday:
Discovered squishies can be used as photo props! Posted on social media and got tons of likes.
4. The "Dark Side" of Squishies? Pitfalls to Avoid!
1. They attract lint and dust.
Especially the ones with oily surfaces. Leave them on the desk, and they'll soon be covered in cat hair (in my case, my cat's fault).
2. Don't use your nails.
They'll leave marks! You'll ruin them! Be gentle!
3. They can get boring after a while.
It's a repetitive action. Best used while listening to music or watching shows for doubled stress relief.
4. Prices vary widely.
The ones I bought cost between $30 and 80$. Be careful with very cheap ones—the material might have a strange smell.
5. Final Verdict: Are They Worth It?
If you:
- Feel stressed and need an outlet
- Love cute little things
- Are curious about textures and enjoy soothing toys
Then I think squishies are worth a try!
They aren't some magical stress-relief solution, but they really can offer a soft outlet when you're feeling anxious or irritable. That "squish... and slow rebound" process is very calming for the mind.
Just don't expect them to keep you company for a whole year. These little things are more like a temporary companion—there when you need them, quietly sitting in your palm, helping you through moments of frustration.
✨ PS:
I'm already planning to buy a few "squishy blin
