Reading the comments and didn’t expect to feel like the odd one out regarding this. 38, haven’t slept with my stuffed animals since probably before I was twelve? Am I strange? I guess I just don’t feel insecure without them. 🤷♂️
When I was young I really liked them, right up until my dad made me feel terrible for doing so. I’m pretty sure he was embarrassed by it.
I didn’t really think or care about this for a long time, until randomly one time at an IKEA I saw a guy in his mid 20s who just chose a stuffed animal, hugging it and smiling. His family was with him, and they were smiling and supportive. When I got back to the car I couldn’t stop crying because the only response I ever got from my family was being yelled at or mocked. I may even have cried while writing this, so perhaps I’m still a tad upset.
My wife really likes stuffed animals however - and we have a raccoon that comes in the bed sometimes. The raccoon also came to a music festival with me once:
Yeah I get the feeling that grown adults who still cling to stuffed animals are also clinging to some hard-core [doesn’t have to be hard-core at all, when I think about it] unresolved emotional baggage as well. Which is fine, but it should be processed. ❤️
It’s definitely something I wouldn’t admit in person. But fuck the modern definition of masculinity tbh.
I cry. I don’t like hunting or sports. Or drinking, or doing stupid things or making every waking moment about sleeping with the next woman. I’m not handy, but there isn’t a lot I can’t do.
To me, masculinity feels more like alertness. The ability to handle anything that comes my way. The ability to solve problems in unconventional ways with the resources I have. Being able to own my faults and weaknesses.
I might not be strong physically, but I’m strong mentally. It might not seem that way to other people, but I’m still around aren’t I? Yeah, I know I’m not physically attractive to most women, but I learned my lesson on the importance of physical attraction in a relationship. It’s a small part.
I ain’t getting rid of my bear, and I won’t expect my son to either. Damn whatever his mom thinks. What’s important is who we are, not what others think us to be.
A lot of males or kids raised masculine have that habit broken real fast.
I’m sure that’s common, indeed. I for one was raised by my mother and I don’t think she was pushing stuffed animals on or off me. But I’m sure society has in some way or another.
But deep down I really have no interest in using them, which is some kind of indicator to me. I find them practically in the way, in my bed, in my couch—I can’t stand my kids’ stuffed animals, e.g. But I love that they love them. 😅
Reading the comments and didn’t expect to feel like the odd one out regarding this. 38, haven’t slept with my stuffed animals since probably before I was twelve? Am I strange? I guess I just don’t feel insecure without them. 🤷♂️
When I was young I really liked them, right up until my dad made me feel terrible for doing so. I’m pretty sure he was embarrassed by it.
I didn’t really think or care about this for a long time, until randomly one time at an IKEA I saw a guy in his mid 20s who just chose a stuffed animal, hugging it and smiling. His family was with him, and they were smiling and supportive. When I got back to the car I couldn’t stop crying because the only response I ever got from my family was being yelled at or mocked. I may even have cried while writing this, so perhaps I’m still a tad upset.
My wife really likes stuffed animals however - and we have a raccoon that comes in the bed sometimes. The raccoon also came to a music festival with me once:
Yeah I get the feeling that grown adults who still cling to stuffed animals are also clinging to some
hard-core[doesn’t have to be hard-core at all, when I think about it] unresolved emotional baggage as well. Which is fine, but it should be processed. ❤️Definitely could be… but I also imagine some people just think they are cute / neat
Definitely. Just the perceived need to sleep and cuddle with inanimate things feels different from thinking they are cute.
I think some birds are cute but I don’t want to cuddle or sleep with them in my bed, even if they were clean enough for it to be okay.
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It’s definitely something I wouldn’t admit in person. But fuck the modern definition of masculinity tbh.
I cry. I don’t like hunting or sports. Or drinking, or doing stupid things or making every waking moment about sleeping with the next woman. I’m not handy, but there isn’t a lot I can’t do.
To me, masculinity feels more like alertness. The ability to handle anything that comes my way. The ability to solve problems in unconventional ways with the resources I have. Being able to own my faults and weaknesses.
I might not be strong physically, but I’m strong mentally. It might not seem that way to other people, but I’m still around aren’t I? Yeah, I know I’m not physically attractive to most women, but I learned my lesson on the importance of physical attraction in a relationship. It’s a small part.
I ain’t getting rid of my bear, and I won’t expect my son to either. Damn whatever his mom thinks. What’s important is who we are, not what others think us to be.
Right on! I think it’s awesome when someone confidently knows themself.
I’m sure that’s common, indeed. I for one was raised by my mother and I don’t think she was pushing stuffed animals on or off me. But I’m sure society has in some way or another.
But deep down I really have no interest in using them, which is some kind of indicator to me. I find them practically in the way, in my bed, in my couch—I can’t stand my kids’ stuffed animals, e.g. But I love that they love them. 😅
This comment section is self selecting for people, who hold onto their plushies for longer, than what society considers normal.
I had that feeling, yes. I still want to believe most people don’t cling to their stuffed animals past their teens.