Introduce your stuffed animals

[bellbird]

This is Mr Bear.
He used to sit in the office of my old T of 4 years. I used to pick him up at the beginning of every session and take him over to the couch with me, and he'd sit on my lap and give me hugs.

When things were especially difficult I'd squeeze his paw tight, and when I'd start to dissociate, T would encourage me to feel his soft fur between my fingers.

When we were preparing for my transition to my new (current) T who is more apt for trauma work, old T asked me if I was going to take Mr Bear with me.

I was so taken aback: "you mean, like to borrow him?"

"To keep him.
You are my only client who has ever gone over to him. It feels like he is yours. If you wish to have him, then you may. And if you bring a big bag to our last session then I'll know what you decided."

Mr Bear is my nightmare buddy, and soon to be surgery buddy. And a constant reminder of all the things my old T taught me.

 

[Missycat]

Lovely thread @Wendell_R
I loved / still love cuddly toys. Mine got me through some pretty rough times. Part of my nightly rituals included many of my cuddlies so i ended up having to put some of them away as it got to taking about 2 hrs to do all my rituals before i dare sleep.
My favourite was a teddy bear that was taller than me and i could fasten him to my shoes/ feet and it looked like he was dancing with me. I still have him in my cupboard but i cant find a picture- hes’s called Timmy. Another favourite of mine is Snoopy.

 

[Wendell_R]

if you bring a big bag

? I've got a high-end scientist job, and Momee sneaks out to our car and back in a big bag. I think one of the people in my group has seen Momee's head popping up a bit from the bag, but she knows I have PTSD & am doing heavy therapy.

 

[bellbird]

? I've got a high-end scientist job

Hey fellow scientist! (well technically I don't have an actual job, but I'm working on a research project and on a scholarship... that counts, right? :)

Momee sneaks out to our car and back in a big bag

So sweet. I'm sure some people could see Mr Bear in the bag, and I was crying, but it was also exam season so people probably just thought I'd failed an exam or something.
I have told new T that I'll introduce her to Mr Bear at some stage though!

 

[littleoc]

Hey fellow scientist! (well technically I don't have an actual job, but I'm working on a research project and on a scholarship... that counts, right? :)

Same! (Including the not having an actual job yet part)

What kind of science do you do, @Wendell_R? I'm in biology :)

I have a million stuffed animals, so it makes sense that I forgot to mention the bumblebee snake plush -- it's about four, maybe five? feet long :) (120-150 centimeters about)

 

[Mumo]

My babies are bunny and pinky. They have been with me forever. I got bunny from my sister when I was 6. Bunny was hers, but when she got married she knew how much I needed her and she said I could take care of her. She eventually said I could have her. Her fur has been loved off. She is pink, but only the insides of her ears are pink now. She is still pink though. Her eyes are felt and are always closed, because you have to be quiet with her and she helps you be quiet and sleep. She is very sweet. She sleeps right next to me every night with two other soft stuffies that my husband gave me. They all sleep right next to my side of the bed on pillows. I can see them and touch them and hold them anytime I want.

Pinky was given to me from my favorite aunt when I was in my mommy's tummy. Pinky is a blanket. She likes to cover my ears because it helps me sleep when my ears are covered. Pinky is soft and warm and pink and she goes everywhere with me so she can cover my ears and touch my face. She's awesome!

 

[Wendell_R]

My favourite was a teddy bear that was taller than me and i could fasten him to my shoes/ feet and it looked like he was dancing with me

That's a lovely idea!

I'm working on a research project and on a scholarship

Same! (Including the not having an actual job yet part)
What kind of science do you do, @Wendell_R? I'm in biology

Yes, you are a scientist! That's a question of training, aptitude, and approach to the world, and not whether you have a degree or actual job. @bellbird , Pretty cool that you have a scholarship!

I'm a physicist who now works on biopharma problems. I seem to be better at getting degrees than handling some of the basics of life!

Her fur has been loved off.

We know we love our animals when we love them just as much after the fur comes off.

 

[Still Standing]

Wow! I still remember my first stuffed animal. My great-grandfather gave it to me. It was a small bunny. He was with me all the time. I loved that rabbit. I had it from 2nd grade until I was about 12. When we moved, mom threw him out. I was devastated. Even as an old lady, I still think of that special stuffed animal. It still makes me upset knowing it was thrown away.

She likes to cover my ears because it helps me sleep when my ears are covered.

Yup! Have to have my ears covered, too, at night. I think it stems from being scared at night and hiding under the covers, except for my nose, when young. I still prefer to sleep this way. But keep those ears covered!

My very special friend, who took me on, first in counseling (she was a counselor and pastor) and then as a friend, gave me a stuffed bear. He is tattered, patched, one leg longer than the other, and his neck is broken. He is supposed to represent a well-loved stuffed bear: well used. It was also given to me to represent all the adversity I have lived through. I may be tattered, well-used, broken and pulled out of shape, but I am still here...a survivor. This bear sits in my craft room where I can see him all the time.

My next favorite stuffed "thing" is "Sven". He is my gnome buddy. He makes me smile and chuckle when I look at him. He does not have to do anything but be there for me. He makes me happy.

 

[ladee]

@Wendell_R , Thank you for starting this thread. It is one of the most beautiful , most gentle experiences to come here and see pictures and hear stories of the things people love. And that get them thru the night and the rough times. :hug:'s

 

[Changing4Best]

I have a beanie baby bear, he is an Olympic bear, actually, he's got the Swiss flag on him, not that I am Swiss that I know of. He was a gift. ....

I took some better photos of my beanie baby. I never really named him, but I thought it might be nice to call him "FIFA" since that is what it says on him. I sometimes cuddle with him when I cannot sleep. Other times I rock back and forth with him in my arms, if I am really in need of comfort. Here are hopefully, some better photos of him:

Also, you can maybe see that he has his own little bed, which is a special thing that has Vanilla scent in it. That wonderful aroma is for both of us! It is calming.

That is the Swiss flag on his nose, but it is hard to see in the photo.

 

[Lionheart]

Not the greatest photo but here is Boo, my little blue bear. I hold him to my heart when I cry or when I am sad and lonely, but mostly when I cry. I got him when my "t" suggested a teddy bear for me...I felt strange cause I was 36 years old, but she insisted I needed a teddy bear as I didn't have one as a child.

 

[Slushie]

These are some of my monkeys, Louis, little Louis and Budi, I love them, they make me smile when I'm feeling low, only problem is there is less room for me on my bed!