Every American has at least once navigated the massive IKEA warehouse as a weekend chore. But for California-based creator Zoey (@pappythe1st), stepping back onto the IKEA floor after 20 years triggered a wave of childhood anxiety that she playfully labeled as “IKEA trauma.”
In a relatable TikTok storytime, Zoey broke down the existential dread of getting separated from her family inside the blue-and-yellow mega-retailer. She filmed it after a casual shopping trip with her dad turned into a confrontation with a 20-year-old childhood memory.
