Who’s that chick that’s rockin’ kicks?
That would be me. Debbie Feit. A Brooklyn girl who has called Michigan home for many years. I’m an author of prescriptive non-fiction, The Parent’s Guide to Speech and Language Problems (McGraw Hill), poetry, The Power of the Plastic Fork: A Daughter’s Highly Unorthodox Kaddish (Porkbelly Press), and nasty letters to my insurance company. I’m the proud mom of two young adult kids, a school social worker and a stage manager, whose early years made me an accidental advocate and regular resident of the therapy waiting room—speech, occupational, behavioral. I have a mini sheepadoodle whose anxiety rivals only my own and a husband who, although naturally dubious, is supportive of my new venture with Fidget Picnic, runs the numbers for me, and gives a great foot rub.
How did Fidget Picnic come to be?
A bout of fascism-induced depression left me unable to get out of bed. To distract myself, I spent hours scrolling Instagram. It is not lost on me that it took social media to introduce me to the resurgence of analog hobbies, as well as all the independent artists out there making irresistible trinkets by hand. I started playing with sticker-by-number books, 3D sticker rooms, and junk journaling. I started obsessing over (and purchasing) the adorable worry stones showing up in my feed. I also started Prozac.
Eventually, my newly fidget-seeking self discovered picky pads. I was lured by the cute charms, pretty colors and creative themes. And I thought if I could keep my hands busy while I watched TV in the evenings, perhaps I wouldn’t inhale as many chocolate-covered marshmallows.
I was surprised by how satisfying it was to dig into the pad and pluck each individual item from its grip. Just when I thought I was done excavating, I’d discover a fresh trove of seed beads or tiny clay slices, and it felt as if I had won a prize. However, the picky pad I had bought was made of silicone. So, once I emptied it, the silicone had nowhere to go but the trash.
I was thrilled to learn that picky pads could also be made with an eco-friendly material that could be remelted and reused 30 times. I decided to make my own.
After some pretty sticky trial-and-error, Fidget Picnic was born.
Whether your vice is overeating, skin picking, hair pulling or any number of other compulsive behaviors, Fidget Picnic picky pads are a safe alternative.
They’re a fun way to relieve stress and release nervous energy that’s far more satisfying than screaming into a pillow
And they’re a superior alternative to resolve boredom without stabbing yourself with a pencil during yet another Zoom meeting.
Why would a springy, rubber-like circle embedded with all manner of trinkety delights make me feel better?
You may not be familiar with the term proprioceptive input, but your body is well aware of the concept. Every time you pick up a cup, walk down the stairs or yes, retrieve an embedded bead from a picky pad, your brain is receiving information from your muscles, joints, and tendons. This continuous flow enables you to move easily as well as organize and regulate all other sensory input. Why is this sensory processing important?
• It regulates our attention and emotional state to help us focus, stay calm, and respond appropriately to our environment.
• It shapes how we interact with the world by helping our brain organize experiences such as the feel of clothing, the sound of a crowded room, and the sensation of being touched.
• It underlies development in children by supporting motor skills, coordination, social interaction, and emotional regulation.
And from a less clinical perspective, digging through a picky pad and discovering a tiny axelotl, purple popsicle charm, and sparkly sprinkles just naturally induces a smile.