do people still “bond” with their dolls?

This makes me feel a lot less alone. I've suffered with severe depression and anxiety for most of my life, and my dolls are one of the only things left that still brings me joy. Taylor in particular is like a resin security blanket; I don't do well at all of she's not close by.

 

I'm so glad you have your beloved dolls to give you comfort. I have my sweet boy Genesis (5 Star Tumnus) as my security blanket. He is never out of my sight when I'm at home. He has such a calm face. It is very reassuring. Take care of yourself Christina. Hugs.

 

I’m not sure if I feel bonded to my dolls. For the most part, I don’t feel anything at all and just enjoy looking at them like pieces of art.

But a few months ago a newer version of one of my dolls was announced. I briefly considered selling my old one that I bought used and replacing it with the new updated version, but I felt really uncomfortable at the idea of getting rid of her considering she’s been with me and a part of my life for so many years now.

That made me realize that maybe my dolls mean more to me than I’m aware of…

 

Most if not all my current dolls are shelled OCs and that does help me bond with them more to have that character and whatnot behind them. I find it really hard to keep motivated to change and fuss over a doll I haven't made an OC, just because of that extra want to keep drawing, changing and developing them alongside my friends dolls. Maybe that isn't quite bonding, but it is what keeps me attached

 

I hope so. I intend to! Give me something happy & pretty to focus on when it feels like everything else is crap.

 

The answer most likely depends on a person.
For me personally I do bond with dolls by spending time with them, especially while working on their faceups, or doing other customization. That feels very personal to watch how a "blank canvas" gains more and more personality. I can't bond in the same way with dolls that already come as fullsets, and when there is no bonding experience I don't feel bad about selling them. Sometimes this also happens with blank dolls which disappointed me in one way or another upon their arrival to a point where I didn't even want to work on them, but luckily it doesn't happen to me too often nowadays.

So for me yes, the bonding part is there and is important.

 

The concept of bonding with a doll is an interesting one for sure, and I 100% do it... I was talking in another thread about a doll that I purchased on a whim that just... I haven't bonded with her? And it makes me feel bad because my three other dolls are super precious to me... and this one is very... She's basically the doll I use to practice painting/face up stuff on. But that in itself is a weird kind of bonding experience I think. Where I am sussing out the things I don't love, and need to change, and eventually I'll get there too.

I don't know if any of that makes sense...

 

I'm another person who doesn't refer to it as bonding. To me bonding is something I do with other animate objects, with someone or something that can reciprocate my feelings. My dolls are just objects that I have around because I find them attractive in some manner and they make me happy when I look at them, and there are some of my dolls I'm more attached to then others

 

It's not like bonding was ever a fad. That's like saying 'do people still love their dogs' or 'do people still care about the environment'. It's an emotional response, not a planned one. Either they do or they don't...time doesn't change it.

 

After 16 years in the hobby, I still sure do! I find it difficult to keep a doll that doesn’t resonate with me, whether it’s attachment to the character or unmet expectations of the doll itself. “Bonding” is about what I do with them creatively or the company they provide on my shelves.

 

All but two of my dolls are OCs so they have very much become their characters. To me, they're no longer just pieces of resin, but actual characters that I've had for years. The thought of selling any of them feels more like giving up a character. I've definitely bonded. Sometimes it takes more time, but it always happens. The only other two are a doll I made of a video game character and a special edition that was made for the anniversary of my favorite anime. I haven't bonded with them in the same way as my OC dolls. They're more like art to me.

 

I certainly have bonded with my dolls, a long time of having them definitely strengthens it. And like someone else mentioned earlier, they're like little friends to me. Inanimate, but I still care for them like they have feelings. It's comforting to me.

 

For me, it has a lot to do with whether I feel inspired to create for this doll. I don't generally shell characters but sometimes a character will develop around a sculpt I have and am currently working on. I generally look to have a doll that attains a look I enjoy, and if my art style doesn't mesh well with the sculpt that's when I sell. So I wouldn't say I "bond" with them in an attachment kind of way unless they become an art project I'm proud of. Only one of my dolls currently even has a name.

 

I wouldn't call it "bonding" but it's definitely important to me to have a certain connection with my dolls.

 

Yeah, now that your mention it, people have been talking less about "bonding" with their dolls these days haven't they?
I think it's still a fairly important part of the hobby for lots of us though
I definitely am bonded to my dolls and know that some of my friends in the hobby are as well.

 

I definitely bond with mine. Not saying this for everyone as a whole, but my bonds with my dolls help with my mental health. Holding them, dressing them, etc really helps me. I currently have one doll and while she's been simply displayed for a while, I look at her often and feel happy.

The saying "material things can't bring happiness" (or whatever) is so false. My dolls bring me immense joy and peace of mind.

 

I also bond with mine. In fact, if I don't, I can't really carry on having the doll.
Of course it's not always an instant-love kinda thing, it may take time and also reviewing the doll's character and making changes to what I thought the character was going to be.

 

I don't know if it's bonding per say, but I do have a strong feeling for certain dolls over others. My#1 is my Irrealdoll Nur, Parker. Now I do have her twin brother who I also love but I feel guilty I have taken so few photos of him. But I feel like most of my other boys its because he has fewer changes in his wardrobe compared to Parker. I love all my dolls, but I also know if someone wanted to also love one of my dolls and give them more attention I would let them go. I always dream of just having maybe one doll and having them very spoiled with lots of great props to make fantastic photo shoots. Maybe in a couple of years that's what will happen.

 

I feel like I've bonded with my small resin friendo. As others have shared before, I suffer from depression and anxiety and even though he's not even close to being finished, just having him on sight gives me a soothing feeling.
This may also sound super sad (lol) but when I feel myself melting away I tend to tell him out loud the way I'm feeling. It helps the pain go away, I'm not going to be judged anyway.

 

I don't know if I'd call it "bonding" but I definitely feel an attachment to the two dolls that I have. I think it's due to my fondness of the dolls' characters (an OC that's basically a self insert and a video game character). I just really enjoy looking at them and making things for them, and sharing photos of them on Instagram and with friends who support my hobby.