I Didn't Understand the Appeal of Fidget Toys. Then I Got a Tangle.

My first exposure to fidget toys was the fidget spinner craze of however long ago, and I did NOT get it. I don’t mean I thought they were useless or silly, I just couldn’t understand the urge to fidget. It’s like ASMR — good for you but I have no idea what sensation you’re talking about. I’ve also never been able to see a Magic Eye picture but I don’t think that’s related. I thought well, this doesn’t apply to you, you aren’t neurodivergent and you don’t need to fidget! Joke’s on me, because I have ADHD and I fidget CONSTANTLY and have for my WHOLE LIFE.

I’ve been a fidgeter my entire life, I just didn’t realize it. I used to be a nail biter, but I grew out of that and into other finger and nail mess arounds (this TikTok was a shock, because this IS me). But I have arthritis and hypermobile joints and it’s not exactly great to be bending my fingers backwards mindlessly while I watch TV, so I started shopping for fidget toys, and that’s how I found the Tangle.

This is my ideal fidget — it’s quiet, it feels nice in my hands, and I can recreate all my weird finger bends without actually messing up my already messed up fingers. You can bend and twist and fold the Tangle to your heart’s content, and tuck it away in a purse or a pocket and take it wherever you go. I actually ordered two, one to keep next to my couch (this one) and one to keep in my bag (this one), so I can satisfy my fidget needs wherever I am.

The Tangles come apart too, so you can change the size, or combine a few different patterns to create your ideal Tangle.

The only thing I regret is not ordering a textured one. It just sounds satisfying, which I guess is the true sign that you’ve found your Ideal Fidget.