Simulations With You
The Beginning of a Small Addiction
I'll be honest with you—I've had a small addiction since childhood that continues to this day. Don't worry, it's nothing serious like substances or gaming. What I'm addicted to is bubble wrap. Yes, that transparent plastic sheet filled with air pockets that makes the most satisfying popping sound when you press it.
Most people have popped a bubble or two at some point in their lives. But for me, bubble wrap means something more than just packing material. It's a treasure from my childhood, a connection to special family moments during our many moves, and a small source of joy that has followed me through the years.
A Childhood of Constant Moving
When I was young, my family moved around quite frequently. I can't remember exactly how many times we relocated, but from before I started elementary school until I graduated, we changed homes more times than I can count. There were probably various reasons—my parents' jobs, financial circumstances—but as a child, I simply understood it as "we're moving again."
The atmosphere at home always became hectic before a move. My parents bustled about packing, and boxes of all sizes piled up throughout the house. And without fail, every single time, bubble wrap would make its appearance. To safely pack fragile dishes, glassware, and picture frames, my parents would buy large rolls of bubble wrap.
When Moving Boxes Became a Playground
While the adults were frantically packing, I was always mesmerized by the bubble wrap. Truth be told, I was probably more of a hindrance than a help. When my parents briefly stepped away, I would sit in front of the pile of bubble wrap waiting to be used and begin my own little game.
At first, I carefully popped them one by one with my finger. The satisfying "pop" sound and the feeling of the tiny air bubble deflating beneath my fingertip brought me pure joy. As I became more experienced, I developed more efficient methods. Gripping the bubble wrap with both hands and twisting hard would pop several bubbles at once, creating a wonderful symphony of continuous popping sounds like popcorn. Sometimes I'd step on it with my feet, other times I'd press it down with my knees.
Back then, bubble wrap was the ultimate toy for me. I didn't need to buy anything new—it was a free source of entertainment that naturally appeared with every move. The small sense of achievement with each popped bubble, the satisfaction from that continuous sensation—it gave me an irreplaceable happiness.
Parents' Sighs and My Laughter
"Hey! We need that for packing!" By the time my parents' voices reached me, I had usually already popped nearly an entire sheet of bubble wrap. They would sigh but eventually smile. Somewhat resignedly, they'd pull out fresh bubble wrap and tell me "don't touch this one"—a rule I rarely followed.
Looking back now, perhaps my parents found some comfort in seeing me like that. Moving is stressful for the entire family, but at least their youngest child was finding joy in the process. Even if it came at the cost of wasted packing material.
On moving day mornings, before loading the truck, I always secretly tucked leftover pieces of bubble wrap into my pockets. In the car on the way to our new home, I would pop those small pieces one by one, soothing the anxiety of heading to an unfamiliar place.
Moving Continues in Adulthood
Time passed, I became an adult, and I moved out on my own. Surprisingly, my moving streak has continued. Perhaps I inherited my parents' moving DNA.
I got my first job and moved to a new city. A year later, I switched to a better company and relocated to yet another area. Then came various reasons—rent increases, the need for more space, commute distances—leading me to move every few years. Some years I even moved twice.
A Regular in Amazon's Shopping Cart
While preparing for my first move after becoming independent, I naturally searched for bubble wrap on online shopping sites. That's when I discovered something amazing. Instead of the small rolls my parents used to buy, much larger and longer rolls were available. It was as if they had been prepared specifically for the childhood version of me.
I added them to my cart without hesitation. "I need them to pack dishes anyway," I told myself, but truthfully, deep down, I was craving to feel that childhood joy again.
When the package arrived and I opened the box, the moment I saw that transparent plastic and the neatly arranged air bubbles, I felt like a child again. My fingers moved automatically to pop one. That familiar "pop" sound. Then another. And another. Before I knew it, I had popped an entire sheet.
Efficient Packing and Small Indulgences
Of course, now that I'm an adult, I act more responsibly. I pack the items that need packing first, and only play with the leftover bubble wrap. But still, every time I prepare for a move, I order slightly more bubble wrap than necessary. I rationalize it as "just in case," but the truth is I want extra to pop to my heart's content.
When I'm exhausted from packing, I pause, pick up a sheet of bubble wrap, and slowly—or quickly—sometimes creating rhythms, pop each bubble one by one. The satisfaction from that simple act is no different from what I felt as a child. If anything, it feels like a small respite within my busy daily life.
Time Periods Connected by Bubble Wrap
Every time I hold bubble wrap, I think about how this transparent plastic serves as a small link connecting me to my parents. The same packing material my parents used when they moved is now what I use. For the same purpose, in the same moments. Bubble wrap isn't just packing material. It's a small magic that transcends time. It connects my childhood self to my present self, links my parents to me, and allows me to pause in my busy daily life to feel small joys.
The Value of Small Joys in Everyday Life
These days, many people search for big happiness. Success, wealth, fame, recognition. Of course, those things matter. But what I've learned through bubble wrap is that sometimes small, trivial things can bring us greater joy.
Popping a sheet of bubble wrap takes only a few minutes. It requires no special skills or preparation. You just need your fingers. But the simple pleasure felt during those brief moments awakens a purity I'd forgotten about in our complex modern world.
Maybe we all need our own "bubble wrap." Something that's not grand but brings certain joy. Something connected to the past while helping us live in the present. Things that make us feel good without needing complicated explanations.
Closing: The Meaning of Small Things
Some might laugh hearing my story. An adult addicted to bubble wrap—they might think it's silly. But I'm proud of this small addiction. It's proof that I haven't lost the purity of my childhood, and a sign that I cherish memories with my family.
And this small addiction—I'll continue it in the future. Until the next move, and the one after that. As long as there's bubble wrap, I can always return to childhood, remember my parents, and find my own small peace amid change.
Try This: Find Your Own Bubble Wrap
You don't need to wait for a move to experience this kind of simple, tactile joy. Try this mental experiment:
- Identify a small texture or sound that you loved as a child. Maybe it was the crunch of dry leaves, the feeling of smooth stones, or the hum of a fan.
- Seek it out today. Don't dismiss it as "childish" or "unproductive."
- Engage with it fully for one minute. Just like popping bubble wrap, give it your full attention. Notice if it brings back a specific feeling or memory.