There are few everyday frustrations as universal as buying a new pair of scissors, only to realize you need another pair of scissors to free them from the packaging. Those rigid, heat-sealed plastic packs feel like they were designed to test patience, and they often win. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve poked at a corner, tried to peel a seam, and still ended up with jagged plastic edges that are sharp enough to regret immediately. Now, a woman from Brisbane has shared a shortcut that’s making people wonder why they ever struggled in the first place.
Her name is Amy Freeman, and she posted a quick video on Instagram showing how she opens tough “blister” packaging without cutting around the edges. In the clip, she holds up the package, asks if she’s the only one who didn’t know the trick, and admits she used to do what most of us do. She would grab scissors, slice through the plastic border, and wrestle the product out while trying not to scratch herself on the leftover shards.
Then comes the part that feels almost too simple. Freeman explains that scissors aren’t actually necessary, and the solution is to squeeze the package firmly with both hands. Instead of attacking the outer seam, she applies pressure to the plastic until the bottom gives way. In a second, the plastic flexes, a small opening forms, and the package separates enough to pull the item out cleanly. Watching it happen is oddly satisfying, like finding a secret door in a room you’ve been stuck in for years.
The response online was instant and dramatic in the best way. Commenters called it the best trick they’d ever seen and joked that it should be taught in school. Others admitted they were well into adulthood before learning it, with one person saying they were 61 and only just discovering this now. A lot of people had the same question, why isn’t this printed on the packaging itself?
Of course, not every package will cooperate. Some versions of blister packs are thicker, tougher, or designed differently, and squeezing might not work every time. But as a first move before reaching for tools, it’s a clever option that could save time, reduce sharp edges, and spare a little daily annoyance. Have you tried this squeeze method, or do you have your own go-to way of defeating stubborn packaging? Share your thoughts in the comments.
