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

First off I love this thread! Hearing people say things that I feel as well, I don't feel so misunderstood
Having my dolls for me is like another form of art therapy.
I used to draw or write a lot but for the past years I feel like a cork was shoved into my brain and I can't write or draw like I used to

But having these dolls opened a new door for expression.
I've started sewing again, and doing face-ups for the doll is so fun!
The best part is, since bjds are mini-sized, each project doesn't take long.
(since I have a tendency to give up on things half-way)

Looking at my dolls gives me a sense of accomplishment, pride & self-esteem.
And it just makes me darn happy to play with them

 

I buy BJD's to compensate for having no BJD's. Heheh, in all seriousness though, I don't feel like I'm compensating for anything in this hobby. I've always liked collecting dolls for the most part, and BJD's fall under the category of collectible dolls. Except I can actually play and cuddle with these dolls, couldn't do that with my porcelains.

 

No. In all honesty, I don't need a BJD to compensate for something else.

I got mine as a New Years Eve present from my boyfriend, who knew for months that I wanted one. All I wanted it for is because it's so pretty and I enjoy to see how well they can be posed, the way they're made, the way they're put together as one piece... These type of dolls just fascinate me. It's a piece of art, every single doll is.

But, on the other hand... I had a lot of Barbie dolls as a kid, but never got a dollhouse for them (which was, in my eyes, not normal. As a kid it was my opinion that every doll should have a place to live).
Since the day I received my first BJD (a Fairyland Pukipuki Pongpong), I started building a dollhouse for her out of cardboard.
Unfortunately, I figured out a dollhouse isn't that easy to make. Windows and doors are hard to make properly, and I didn't think about cutting them in standard sizes before I began on them.
Luckily for me, my parents decided to get me one as a birthday gift... And I'm turning 21 next Sunday. x)

So, the doll wasn't there to compensate for something else, but I do want her to have a house to live in. In this case, it's somewhat indirect that I did want to compensate for something (the fact that my Barbies never had a house to live in). So, yeh. Yes and no, I guess.

 

A harem of beautiful men that I can play with and display as I see fit? I certainly lack one of those in real life...

Beyond that, not a chance. I am Lord and Emperor of my own happy little world and have no need for a doll to compensate anything for me. Although... my boys are able to change their eye colour on a whim, which is something I envy!

 

This thread is really interesting! Thank you for posting (>u< )!~

I don't think my BJD's actually compensate, per say, but they do exhibit things I wish I could do, I guess.
For example, my dolls each have different styles that I would love to wear or be able to pull off, but I don't have the time or money to invest in that much clothing hahaa (so I guess mini people versions of the clothing I want isn't such a bad deal, right~?...plus all that time and money is going into the dolls instead haha... ugh.) I love to sew, so even though I'm not sewing styles I create for me, I'm still able to create them which is good enough!~

So I guess they're really just the stylish ones for me and I can continue wearing what I do now, but I get to play dress up with 7 or so other bodies besides myself... even if they're miniature

 

I have to say your friend may be on to something. I have a few dolls and they all have different reasons for being with me. I have a personal thing where I hate humans sometimes lol. Crazy I know but I'm weird like that :P And I tend to love the dolls more, that have mystical parts to them. AKA aren't really human when you look at them.
I also have made happy little friendships between some of mine (even if they were not suppose to be in the first place) and I like that for a few reasons but I think the key reason, is that I don't have many friends and the few I have I don't get to see that often.
I however, am very happy with how I look. I think I'm kinda pretty lol. And I do have one doll who's name is mine spelled backwards and she is like my tiny little freaking clone hehehe.
While I'm not sure it's a compensation I know it's another part of my life that makes me feel happy and complete in a way. Just like almost part of me dose

 

Haha I love you XD

Personally? No. I collect them because I like dolls, and because they're aesthetically pleasing to me. They don't do much other than give physical forms to OCs I could have created anyway so that I can photograph instead of drawing them.

 

For me, I think I have a nice body and I do my hair and make-up everyday. So no, I don't think my doll "compensates" for something I either don't have or don't have a lot of, I think I just prefer my doll looking good in my own sort of way. I want her to be large busted, sure, but I don't think that all woman should be large busted. If anything, I just want her to look like me... Not prettier than me or "the me I wish I was." Just pretty/cute is fine with me!!

 

I'm not really sure, I'm buying him to recreate a Oc's I really love but he's really hard to draw

 

Not really, no...

<.<

>.>

It's more like the voices in my head are coming out to play...

 

Hmmm, maybe? I'm not sure actually, since I've always been able to get 'attached' to and more fond of objects rather than people, so perhaps BJDs substitute for friends in a very small way - BUT although I have very few friends, that's more about where I live rather than preference or poor social skills.
So when I'm lonely, having a doll to play around with and take photos of and draw is really fun! However I don't think about this too much as it doesn't really matter to me - I'm just enjoying my doll and the hobby :'D

 

Hmmm, maybe? I'm not sure actually, since I've always been able to get 'attached' to and more fond of objects rather than people, so perhaps BJDs substitute for friends in a very small way - BUT although I have very few friends, that's more about where I live rather than preference or poor social skills. <br>So when I'm lonely, having a doll to play around with and take photos of and draw is really fun! However I don't think about this too much as it doesn't really matter to me - I'm just enjoying my doll and the hobby :'D

 

As much as I would like to deny it, I think my doll does compensate for things that I'm lacking in my life and I'm not ashamed to admit it. My doll (and incoming dolls) have awesome hair, awesome clothes, and interesting lives according to my stories; its all fantasy and escapism to me. You're never too old to play with dolls and let your imagination let loose every once in a while. (I wish I could wear and pull off those cute styles successfully. ) They also keep me company, since my best friends are miles and miles away from me. I usually am fine by myself but loneliness does get to me sometimes. Therefore, my dolls and other hobbies keep me happy.

 

My mom has made it painfully clear that she feels my dolls are an unhealthy manifestation of an obsession with having a daughter, and that if I ever do have a daughter I'll end up treating her like a doll. Never mind that this 'obsession' consists of a cooing over the newborn rack and pointing out the lack of girls in the family. Or the fact that I prefer boy dolls overall, and definitely not overly girly girls.

Let me go rage in a corner for a second. *breathes*

But no, I don't feel they compensate for anything personally.

 

This except the friends part. :C I have friends close to me but if I don't want to vent to them or my boyfriend I'd be nice to have a doll to talk to like kids would.

 

I think my obsession with yo-sd and tiny dolls is an obvious compensation for my inability to have a baby

 

I would say yes and no. I am more then happy with myself, but at the same time I cannot dress the same way as my dolls no matter how much I want to. So in some ways I suppose it is so. But with or without the doll I am happy with myself.

I can also try out new things on my dolls that I will not/ cannot do myself, so in a way I suppose they are an extension of myself. If that makes sense.

 

I must agree with you here, and I totally understand a doll being an extension of oneself. While a doll, for me, doesn't compensate for something I don't have in real life; instead, I allow myself to "live" vicariously through it. An imagination is a terrible thing to waste!

 

Some people - yes. Me - no. They are all little me's I don't feel the need to live through them by making them something I wish I was. I make each of their characters a part of who I already am in real life. That's what I like. Making Sam dolls...

 

My doll brings out my confidence. Confidence in who I am, and to be proud of what I like. I used to get teased/bullied through out my grade/highschool years for my interest in art, gaming, and anime. In my former hometown, if you weren't that perfect cookie cutter barbie girl, you were an outcast. Having my doll allowed me to be myself again. To embrace my passions and to be ok if someone says how weird it is. Im proud to be able to have a BJD. Proud to be in this community