{
  "id": 5950802,
  "title": "The Millennial Midlife Crisis Is a Stuffed Squishy Animal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/the-millennial-midlife-crisis-is-a-stuffed-squishy-animal",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-06T09:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/millennials-adults-collecting-squishmallows-12401835"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the first half of 2026, toy sales to Americans aged 18 and older surged by 25 percent, making adults the leading contributors to industry growth. This trend was driven by households without children, accounting for 55 percent of toy sales during the period. Squishy toys, in particular, experienced triple-digit growth, aided by social media, limited editions, and the innate human satisfaction of squeezing objects.\n\nSquishmallows, a popular type of stuffed animal, have captivated the attention of millennials, some in their mid-to-late 30s. These soft, round, and featureless toys come in various forms, including cows, frogs, cats, mushrooms, and axolotls. Jamie Bolker, a 39-year-old freelance editor and petsitter, first encountered Squishmallows at a New York City Walgreens in 2018 and has since amassed a collection of 65 to 70 of them. Bolker's collection includes minuscule keychain versions and a 20-inch pizza-shaped Squishmallow.\n\nWhile some may view Bolker's obsession as an indication of arrested development, she acknowledges that she has given away around 10 to 15 of her Squishmallows and still considers herself an adult. Nonetheless, the appeal of these toys is not limited to millennials. Many adults facing the stresses of modern life, such as housing markets, economic uncertainty, and political anxiety, find solace in the comforting squeeze of a Squishmallow.\n\nPsychologists suggest that these stuffed animals offer a temporary distraction from anxiety, providing a competing sensory experience and repetitive physical input. While the effect is modest and temporary, it can serve as a helpful coping mechanism in the midst of life's increasing burdens.",
  "summary": "Millennials traded the sports car for a Squishmallow: a cheaper, softer midlife crisis with tiny embroidered eyes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}