Stuffed Animal?

[NewDayTomorrow]

I am relocating for my new job twice in the next year. January and April. My therapist was telling me to put together a self-comfort kit (crafts, favorite books, blankets, things that help when you need to take care of yourself on your own). She suggested I find a nice stuffed animal, from a local science toy store, like a nice beautiful wild animal or something, since I won't have a pet. She says "you should do this for yourself but of course you don't have to admit to anyone that your therapist told you to buy yourself a stuffed animal and I tell this to my clients all the time it's not as weird as it seems just think about it." She's been helpful in all her practical advice so far, and all of her suggestions have worked for me. I am just curious, not what people think of her, but does anybody want to admit to having a stuffed animal around their house or apartment? She did show me a beautiful t-rex, really a work of art, the fabric and body shape and facial expression, whoever made him is very talented. I'm warming up to this idea. I could always donate the guy if he doesn't help. Just curious if anyone else wants to share.

 

[Chava]

Yes. I've also borrowed one from my therapist. There's something bodily de-stressing about holding a stuffed animal tight against my chest. I don't care if that's like a toddler coping mechanism. Part of my issue is being able to self-sooth or calm myself at all. Stuffed animals are a lot more awesome than a pint of vodka or a razor blade. In nerd terms, for me it helps activate that calming parasympathetic response which I have for so long lacked in a normal way (just go into shutdown or numb). I know other adults who have stuffed animals. It's okay. Pick out something cute and huggable. :hug:

 

[Ellabella44]

i have a build a bear type of stuffed cat ... i sleep with it, cry with it swiped it from my 15 year old daughter so its "on loan" to me.. i take it to therapists office as well .. never know if some day ill need it. others up here with stuffed animals too so id say for this... its oh so normal

 

[Anarchy]

I'm on the look out for one. Some of my friends (engineer type, middle aged males, like me) caught me looking at some a few weeks back, and asked me how old I was...

I just disolve in tears when I read about people liking stuffed animals, I'm deffinitely getting one, a small one that can hide in a travel bag and come out when no one else is around.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Yes, I have one! He has a cute name....I take "selfies" of him. When I've had too many meds, I send them to people! Ok, maybe I shouldn't admit to that... He goes wherever I go, overnight that is. Airplane carry on? He's in there, can't risk losing him in checked luggage! All the guys I've dated have gotten to know him. They know that if they have a problem with him, well, yeah, they'd be on the losing end of THAT argument! Sometimes I'll be asked "How is 'he'?" And I'll say "oh, he's doing fine!"

Actually, he is the second in line.... I got his older "brother" as a gift over 15 years ago and grew accustomed to his fur. It took me THIRTEEN years to find another with the exact same kind of fur. Yeah, I'm THAT picky about texture. I found him in the toy bin at a local thrift store. I was SO excited when I found him b/c the instant I picked him up, I knew he was the one! You don't even want to know how many stuffed animals went for a trial run and didn't make the cut. But, no worries, as he's from a well known toy line and has an official name, so I have his replacements saved on my eBay account....I would just need to shell out about $30 for a younger brother, lol.

So right about now you're probably thinking 'OMG Solara, you are NUTS!' and well, maybe I am. But, my point in sharing all of this with you is that you don't have to be ashamed of sleeping with a stuffed animal. I think that guys think its cute... Somehow I get away with it, I'm not really sure how. Maybe its after explaining my PTSD, how my sleep conditions need to be practically "perfect" before I can sleep, how I can't sleep without my stuffed animal...

But, maybe you shouldn't be so open... Last summer my family held him hostage! (It was all in jest, but yes, everyone knows how important he is to me...) If you want to get to Solara, you've got to get to the bear...

 

[Ellabella44]

im 44... age has nothing to do with it ;) comfort is everything. hey the stuffed animal will never judge if you have a meltdown, cry, get angry, feel confused, or just want to hide from everything.... if they see you getting one anarchy ... its for a niece or aunt.. etc.. toys for tots..... whatever , they dont have to know when you get home. and my husband is ok with it too , whatever i need

 

[Ellabella44]

hmm thinking solaras christmas card will be a teddy selfie lol

 

[therisa]

A friend gave me, a small stuffed black cat, a few years ago, she watches over my apartment for me, while my cats sleep. The stuffed animal reminds of Star, one of my three cats, because she's black, too.

 

[Kefira]

I have a stuffed bear, named, creatively: Bear. He's 'retired' so his fur doesn't get any more matted, really beautiful teddy bear. People who know me well know if Bear comes off the shelf, I'm having a really really bad day.

My regular go to is Jack, my stuffed leopard. He sleeps above my bed or with me if I need a snuggle, travels with me even on overnights. A couple of my former boyfriends have taken a liking to them and voice acted for them, etc. It seems to be understood as a coping mechanism and when I've gone to places with communal living for up to a month, I've kept Jack sitting on my bed. None of my roommates have ever said anything negative about it and sometimes they're really relieved and admit to having a stuffed animal they expected to have to hide.

One of my close friends also still has rags of a baby blanket she carries to difficult situations like appointments or trips. It really helps her with her anxiety.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I was never attached to any toys when growing up stuffed toys included. I try to encourage that part of my brain to be active now and enjoy things for all ages and I still can't really cuddle a toy but I have made a collection to encourage it. I keep hoping one night I'll be able to relax enough to hold something close to me but for now they just make my room look cuter. Weird toys for a weird person? Of course! My nan is certain that these must be the cause of my nightmares :rolleyes: (p.s. the bat one on the higher shelf, glows in the dark).

 

[Kefira]

It took me THIRTEEN years to find another with the exact same kind of fur.

But, no worries, as he's from a well known toy line and has an official name

Perhaps I need to choose my stuffed friends better: this is why Bear had to be retired because I wasn't sure I'd be able to find the same feel in another toy. Guess I need to start looking at good toy lines for more easily replaced companions. :)

 

[NewDayTomorrow]

Wow. I feel more normal than I have in a long time. I guess, if it works and there's no harm, do whatever floats your boat! This was fun to read.