You’ve probably seen Labubus around. They’re small, fuzzy, and kind of strange-looking.
They’re not just for kids either. More and more adults are collecting them, and turns out, there’s a deeper reason why.
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Psychologist Tracy King spoke with Tyla to explain what’s really behind the Labubu obsession.
Trinkets are a response to a shifting emotional climate
According to King, these toys aren’t just a trend.
They reflect how a lot of young people are feeling right now: uncertain, stressed, and looking for small things that feel safe.
On the surface they are fun but symbolically much deeper
“On the surface, they’re fun and whimsical. But psychologically, they’re deeply symbolic: these objects offer small, accessible moments of comfort, control, and identity in an unpredictable world,” she told Tyla.
So while they look silly, they hit on something emotional.
Life now feels more like an escape room than a career ladder
That old idea of climbing the career ladder doesn’t quite fit anymore.
“The old idea of the career ladder offered a sense of linear progression — work hard, move up, gain security. But for Gen Z, that ladder has been replaced with something more like an escape room.
“You’re expected to solve problems with no clear instructions, hit invisible milestones, and often find the goalposts moving entirely.”
Nothing’s clear, and it’s easy to feel lost.
Gen Z are investing in the present rather than long-term goals
Instead of saving for a future that feels out of reach, many are just focusing on what feels good right now.
King calls it “investing in now.”
Growing up in crisis has shaped Gen Z’s values
“Gen Z were raised in a digital world where identity is curated, not assumed. They’ve watched global crises unravel with pandemics, recessions, the climate emergency — so the big life goals that guided previous generations often feel out of reach.
“Small joys, soft comforts, and identity-aligned purchases feel both accessible and meaningful.”
Trinkets might seem simple, but they carry emotional weight.
Trinkets have become a form of visual communication
“And in a social media landscape where aesthetics are a form of communication, trinkets become part of how people express emotion, personality, and belonging.”
What you show online becomes part of how you show who you are.
Nostalgia and inner child healing are at play
“These soft, playful objects evoke feelings of safety, care, and nostalgia, things that might’ve been missing or cut short in early life,” Dr King added to Tyla.
“This is inner child work in action.”
For some, these toys bring a weird sense of comfort or memory.
The trend is likely here to stay
“As long as society remains fragmented, and demanding, people will continue to seek soft, small, symbolic ways to feel better,” Dr King added.
These aren’t going away anytime soon.
It’s more than just a trend
“Trinket culture is a response to burnout and disconnection. It’s not a shallow trend. It’s a psychological response to the demands of modern life.”
So yeah, Labubus might just be little toys.. but they’re helping people feel okay.