Finding Comfort: Humans and Their Stuffed Animals
Via Trevor VannoyWritten By Norlena Piseth
February 2, 2024
A dog is a man’s best friend, but do you know what’s a human’s best friend? The stuffed animals we hold so dearly against our bodies when we sleep. There is no doubt that a stuffed animal brings endless joy, trust, and security to someone’s mind—especially if said stuffed animal holds sentimental value.
Many psychologists label stuffed animals as ‘transitional objects’ because they stay with us from childhood to adulthood. This transitional period is a time when we go through a number of changes, both physically and mentally. Due to their loyal and unchanging presence in our lives, we tend to grow particularly fond of our plushies. As humans are naturally social creatures, there is nothing we want more than to have comfort, security, and reassurance.
There are different reasons why someone might keep a plushie around for a long time. A popular one is because of sentimental value. Someone may be attached to a teddy bear because their significant other gave it to them on their first date, or a little octopus knitted by their dearest grandmother or a dog plush that reminds them of their long-gone pet. It varies from person to person, yet the core principle of it is that these ‘toys’ remind us of fond memories and carefree days.
Stuffed animals also provide the safety someone might not be able to find in other humans. Both children and adults alike will experience anxiety, worries, and fear. In these moments of vulnerability, many turn to their stuffed animals in the safety of their bed where these problems cannot reach them. There is nothing more oddly comforting and reassuring than crying and breaking down with a plushie that just listens, never judges, and allows you to release everything without fear of criticism. To some people, their stuffed animals are the only friends that truly understand them. The only space where they’re allowed to be unconventionally upset.
There is a healing effect from plushies that is hard to find in other humans. The feeling of hugging them and cuddling after a long day at work or school is one of the most precious experiences anyone could have. The soft happiness and contentment in sleeping in, surrounded by an army of plushies that would do anything for your well-being, is just incomparable. It’s almost as good as the warmth of another human body.
No matter how old you are, no one can disagree that stuffed animals are just one of the smaller, joyful things in life. It really shows the simplicity in humans, stripping bare all our flaws, our qualities, our traumas, leaving just the little kid who needed that extra comfort to go to bed all alone.
This is more of an appreciation post than an educational article. As I’m sitting here, in front of my laptop, with my crocodile plush in my arms, I can’t help but feel a sense of affection and tenderness towards all of the little animals on my bed. With lives that move so quickly, and ambitions as high as the sky, there seems to be little time for us humans to truly appreciate the privilege we have to be able to experience such simple joy. So, I pray that one day, when we have all settled down, achieved our dreams, and saved the world, then we may once again return to the modest, homely solace of our age-long friends.
Written by: Norlena Piseth
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