Do you feel that ABJD's compensate for something you don't have IRL?

compensating for not feeling "pretty" ?

simply put ... yes. but its probably better then using my future children! haha!

 

I grew up kind of lonely. I was the weird kid, and I had no brothers or sisters and only one real close friend. These dolls are kind of my kids and my friends. I talk to them a lot. That's why it's hard to convince people that I'm not totally nutsoid.

 

I say that yes, in a way my doll compensates for my lack of fashion/glamor in real life. I find that dressing lolita/j-rock/vampire/fantasy/whatever is really annoying in real life because you can't move, sit or use the washroom easily and comfortably in full gear... And the dry cleaning would be insane to dress like that as frequently as dolls can (see everyday)! It's just unrealistic and impractical for me to dress like that, so I find that my doll being able to compensate that part of me is fine. (I'm not too keen on the idea of explaining to my doctor why I'm bogged down in layers when it's much too hot for even t-shirt and jeans and I've passed out from sun exposure... And doing laundry in a frilly lacey poofy dress? Ew... No thanks, I doubt I'd be able to reach into washing machine!)

Hm... Looking back at this, my doll doesn't compensate for my lack of fashion/glamor, but rather a freedom from physical, social and perhaps mental (or ideal?) restrictions that society/one's environment and being human, unfortunately brings. And in this sense, it's not too different than enjoying a good movie.

I also (personally), dislike wearing a lot of color. I have nothing against it and, in fact, I love seeing people who manage to coordinate the color of their outfits perfectly, but it doesn't suit my personality. And so my doll can wear the color and I can have fun trying to coordinate...

Another thing is in life friends, family, significant others, and just people in general can't ALWAYS be there. They can't ALWAYS be your companion and won't ALWAYS be there the very moment you need companionship. And while, dolls cannot replace a human, they make a decent temporary substitute. They make good listeners and, like a hole in the ground, they keep secrets very well... And sometimes, all you need is that one moment of spazz...

And I say no, in that while my dolls or dolls in general can be all that. They are also just that, a doll or dolls. They're pretty, they're cute, they're scary, they're fantastical, but in the end, they are a doll. They can represent and portray many things one cannot do in their own life, but they are also limited in their own way.

Incidentally, my doll also doubles as a physical representation of a character from a world created by me and a close friend. Because of this, he also symbolizes my friendship with my friend. But symbolize does not equal to compensate.

 

I don't know about "compensating"...... But I love the imaginative realm, and they definitely give me entry to it.

 

The only thing my doll could be seen as compensating for is the fact that I will never get sent to a pseudo-Victorian boarding school and live a dramatic semi-Victorian life. n_~

 

I actually just though about this thread on my way home today

I won't lie, I don't have my boy yet, but I already know he is compensating for something.

When it comes down to it, I tend not to get along with most people pretty well, therefore I don't have many friends. Not only that, but I am an only child living with my mom, so many nights I am alone at the house with my three cats. I know it sounds stupid, but lately I have turned to the personification of my own mind (he is kind of like an imaginary friend, but I know that he is truly just my mind if you get what I'm talking about), so in a way, I think my dolls will kind of turn into a more realistic personification. Though I am not sure about my first doll yet, I know the second one I am going to get I am going to make look like my "mind". His name is Raphael, and I have already decided on a Leekeworld Min to be his sculpt. Though Raph has kind of complained about how much of a stupid idea it would be, I really like the thought of him being more concrete.

Now, I am not saying that I don't have any friends, but I am saying that I tend not to talk to a lot of people. Most of my friends are either doing some kind of sport that I am not interested in, or are not doing anything at all XD As for me, I keep weird schedules, and tend to like to do things when I want to do them, so that makes me rather bad company on outings.

The other thing I like about BJD's in general, is your ability to dress them up in many different ways. I wish I could wear Victorian clothes, but they are too expensive for me. I also enjoy very dressy clothes, so that is also something that is not practical and not possible for me to do all the time.

SO ANYWAYS!!! I think yes, my dolls will certainly compensate for something I don't have IRL.

 

Dolls compensate for a lack of fantasy and excitement; they can lead the lives of adventure and glamour that society prevents us from having.

Of course, there's always daydreaming, but that isn't so useful when a teacher asks you the answer for a question you didn't hear.

 

I think that Mira compensates for my lack of children and family. :/ In all, the entire family tree that I made makes up for the crappy tiny family that I have. I have always loved large families, where you are always surrounded by someone that has your same problems and genetics and the like, but it wasn't till I got Mira did I want the entire family in doll forms. o.o I'll do it, too.

But I really have always wanted kids in my life. :/ I just dislike the thought of being responsible for a life, it really bothers me and freaks me out. I also have no need for a partner ever in my life, seeing as how I am so high in standards, it'll never work. So, Mira it is. x3

 

Ok, so it does sting a bit to say yes but simply... yes.

I am 25, and for many years have known I cannot have children of my own. So when I first noticed the realistic nature and preciousness of the BJDs I first noticed how they were very much like kids.

Then my husband had my Robin delivered to me and...well, I can admit part of how special she is has to do with the child I cannot have. I especially get to spoil her like she's a sweet little girl, which is very freeing. It allows me to get some of the mothering out before I'm in a place stable enough to adopt.

 

I wouldn't say I'm compensating for something missing in my life through dolls but I would say that they are like a reflection of my inner me. I would never have the guts (or he figure) to dress the way that they do or do my hair the way they do.

They're like a representation of yourself..

 

Hmmm... very thought provoking subject. No, I don't buy dolls to compensate for any lack of mine, but it's easy to see how some people would do that. For me, it's just a fantastic expression of imagination and beauty.

 

Do you feel that ABJD's compensate for something you don't have IRL?

For me, they do, but it wasn't really something I think I was conscious of until today. I have a friend that I roleplay with a lot, and today my friend commented that my doll looks the way she imagines a lot of my rp characters. And then she described what she meant in terms of personality... that's when I realized that my doll is very much like a physical representation of my inner child and the way I nurture and protect her, I think, is probably on many levels me trying to compensate for the lack of those things I had growing up.

 

My dolls do not compensate for things i do not have IRL, but not having children does make the dolly fund bigger. I think if I had children, all the money i spend on dolls now, would probably be spend on clothes and classes and toys for tme.

 

Actually, I'd have to say yes. I never intend to have children and even the prospect of getting married is a rather undesirable one at the moment. Even though this is all by choice since I am extremely introverted, I think I'm seeking a different kind of companionship through dolls - both a friendship I don't have to work for and something to love and care for with all my heart (that won't die if I forget to feed it! XD).

Plus I am unbelievably psyched to develop my doll's character. I love the process of discovery involved in character creation.

 

I'd have to say yes.

I have several personalities ... so to speak. And for me my dolls bring life to that, in a sense I use them to project what's hidden away in my mind.

 

WOW, such great perspectives!

I've never really thought to deeply about it, I would hope that I'm not compensating for something, but I might be. It just might be the principle of some rooted "something" that I collect the things I do, but it might be I just like having these things to look at, or enjoy.

 

Yes, I am compensating for absolute lack of artistic talent. I wish very much I could sculpt or paint, but sadly I can't, so I have to express visual art in different ways, in how I dress and pose these dolls. I hope that it'll help me hone my artistic talent when I do faceups and I hope I might learn how to sew one day because of these dolls.

Also, they compensate for the fact that I won't dress myself in anything glamorous. I'm happy to wear clean shirts and jeans, and I'm happy because it's comfy. But I really love the look of more edgy, fashionable styles, but I'm just unwilling to put such effort into myself on a daily basis, so I'm happy to have a resinkid as a mannequin so I can see what styles look neat together.

They also are a substitute for different pieces of original art that I would purchase. Really, they're just an alternative to paintings and sculptures I would buy from artists because I can't have EXACTLY what I want if I was to buy a painting or a sculpture already finished. The doll is basically a piece of "living" art - that is, it always has the ability to be changed and they look different from each angle.

So, do they compensate for something vital I lack within myself or in my immediate surroundings? No. I just find them really beautiful.

 

{This thread is awesome! :3}

Do you feel that you 'and/or' others around you are using ABJD's to compensate for something you don't have IRL?
That question touch so many points. One being to bring character to life and really to make self feel better
I wish I could walk down my table with no undies,internal organs or bras.
I wish someone would do my faceup in morning!
I wish I could get pair of pants for 19$~ (that actually look good)

Wishing is nice.

 

Unlike people, my dolls are constant. They're peaceful.
They're also friends who really don't mind if I don't talk much, or if I want to just sit and sew. They'll just wait for me. I worry that real friends won't always be as patient with my introverted personality. (Although I do have some great friends, so my dolls aren't taking their places by any means. )

 

For me, it's men. I have yet to find the man of my dreams or if I'll be ever able to that can tolerate me and my ideology that I place love second always. lol.
That and also they dress nicer than me since I don't have the self esteem to dress nice at all.