dolls just for lonely people?

Funny enough (and again, don't know if it applies) but my fiancee could be called a gamer, and he is even more social than me!
And I was one of those people that stop playing with dolls at a certain age, because "dolls are for kids" according to my family. I used to be an extremely creative kid and when the dolls and the toys went away, I stopped being creative for some odd reason.
I then got into dollhouse miniatures a couple years ago, and that brought some of the creativity back. But I didn't "feel" full-fledge creative again till I got my first doll almost 6 weeks ago! I feel mentally free now! I think I was always meant to be creative, and I know my family meant well, but man they should have left the dolls alone IMHO.

 

I have been in love with dolls since I was very young...best memories were getting dolls, saving up for dolls, looking at dolls. As an adult I started collecting sculpted heads and then vintage mannequins. I am an oil painter and only found true happiness when I painted heads. Then I found BJDs!!! I love the human form as an artist, so these dolls soo appeal to my wonder over the human form and features. More of an art obsession than being lonely. But they do express and provoke such emotion without all the human drama....that is probably why I find them so alluring

I would also say this can be a very social hobby, in the fact that you want to see each others creations and talk about them...so for me this has made me more social

I was homeschooled when I was young too and you can make it as social or not social as you want it to be. Which gave me great freedom in creating the foundation of myself, instead of the constant banter from peers I wish I knew about this hobby when I was young! So much FUN!! I would have probably owed my own BJD company by now...hahahaha

 

Well, I prefer spending time on my own so it's a choice I made for myself. But I'm not lonely and that's not the reason I collect dolls. To me, it's a hobby. Like reading or knitting. Both of which, I really enjoy doing. Personally, I think that people have different reasons for having a doll in their life, some might be lonely, some might use it to channel their creative talents (in doing face-ups, in photography, in story writing, sewing etc). Some probably enjoy collecting because they're avid doll collectors, so really, there's just plenty of other reasons why people have dolls in their life. It's definitely not just for lonely people. I think for anyone who feels alone in this world, it helps to be part of this doll community; to know other doll collectors and to participate in the forums and to go to meet ups and conventions and get to know people and be part of something. If anything, it's a positive thing.

 

If I were lonely I'd buy a pet...actually, I have two cats. Am living together with my boyfriend now, so I'm not lonely, but my lust for dolls hasn't diminished. I think many people may buy a doll because they are, in some way, searching for a friend, but for me, at least, it's simply a very materialistic desire to have that lovely face and make it mine. I just like dolls. And even though I have cats, I bought one of those Fur Real Friends not too long ago. I don't even play with them anymore (I can't!!! I lost the ability to play with toys. Then again, since I'm 30, that may be a good thing.) I just love having them, being able to touch and hug them, make them clothes and write stories about them.

 

I have always collected dolls, so I think I would still have my bjds no matter what. However, I do play with them more and buy them more things when I'm feeling lonely. I think it's a personal thing, too. Everybody buys them for different reasons.

 

Even people with loads of friends, who aren't antisocial, owns and buys dolls. So, no, it's not just a hobby for lonely people, or people with low self-esteem. It's for anyone and everyone.

 

I'm actually very social, and I don't feel lonely at all. I like BJD's because I think they are beautiful!! =]

 

I am single. I am 57. I am never lonely; never was. Also never bored. My mom broke me of that concept when I was 10. LOL

I think dolls are for whomever likes or wants them. I did stuffed animals as a kid. Finally gave them away when I "grew up" whatever that means.

I could say I have my resin crew for extended family, as that's what i call them; I could say they are my muses!/inspiration! for things and both statements would be true.

But to say it's because I'm lonely -- oh dear. I have to book time to be WITH my dolls. XD

 

Err... I'm a loner... I love being alone. o_o But I'm certainly NOT lonely. I live in a full house, with brothers and sisters and nephews and nieces. >.> But I love being alone. And not necessarily with my dolls. They sleep on my bed most of the times, only come out on photoshoots or when I bring one of them to work. I just love being alone. I love doing everything alone, since I get distracted easily if there's too much noise or too many people around. =_= I usually lock myself up in my room (with the dolls sleeping on the bed). I go out but not too often. Usually to movies or dinners with friends and families. >.> Sometimes my friends ask me to bring one or two along, but they're not my "friends". OTL They're my collection. Inanimate objects. o_o Not replacements of anything at all...

 

hmm~ well i'll say the truth..i'm actually an antisocial, loner (sp??) type of person. as for dolls helping lonely people, there's a limit. It's nice to have inspirations, pics, drawings, and other stuff people do with their dolls, but i tend to get out of hand and stay for long periods of time with my dolls, since i don't really talk to anyone (never liked to talk, only listen) it becomes an addiction.

 

Well party why I got in to the hobby was there was so many people in to the dolls, and I saw it as a way to talk to more people who where in to the same thing I was. So in a way they are helping me not be lonely, they let me talk to others.

 

As a kid I always had dolls and played with them with friends, BJDs are just for more mature kids. I think the doll world can be very social look at meet ups!

 

Well i feel that dolls arent for LONELY people... when you first start liking dolls (when i say liking i mean feeling like you need them and want more and more) it means that there is some kind of hole in your heart that you are trying to fill. I mean you can be perfectly social and still love dolls its just the matter of how you view them and which way you are obsessed with them...

like with me, they fill the "someone i can talk to" and "someone that rely's on me" hole... because i wanted someone that doesnt judge whatsoever to talk to and someone that would rely on me... and they fit...

my friend (she doesnt know she's still in her immature stage) has like 100 dolls...she's kind of depressed (not in mopey way more like hormonal teenage whats the point of life way) and i know that they are her outlet for friends and love.

So you see, its all really not just about lonely people... anyone can love them... but they are all there for different reasons for every person.

 

No...i deem both dolls and our friends is essential in my life..

without friends i feel lonely outside, without dolls i feel bored at home...

 

I'll be buying my first doll very shortly;

I do have some social problems and issues communicating sometimes. Mainly with just meeting new people on my own.
I already know a ton of people though, and I have a vast number of wonderful friends I see rather frequently. I'm quite far from lonely (Although I do shut myself off from everyone if i'm not feeling well) Once I do have my doll I intent of attending many meets!

Many people have dolls for different reasons. Personally, I'm hoping to acquire dolls for creative outlets, such as sewing, face-ups, learning to mod, ect and even create my own full doll some day!
And I only live with my mom who's rarely around, so I like having company at home. Especially since my sister took my cat when she moved out.

 

I do believe that quiet or anti-social people can find solace in the company of a doll. I think that it's kind of cute, actually, though I DO think that some people take it a little too far.

 

I think the loneliness aspect comes from the fact that dolls look like people. This wouldn't be as much of a subject if this site was about ant farms.

 

Dolls are lovely, but they are absolutely awful as friend replacements. You can't go out with them, gossip with them, dance together, play pranks on people etc. Whoever said if they were lonely they would get a pet I agree. Dolls can't talk, they just sit there. You can animate them with you imagination, but you can only do that for so long. I do think dolls have their own personalities, some dolls (esp in person) just seem more alive then others, however, that doesn't mean they make good "friends"

 

Why are doll collectors tagged as lonely people? There's no logic behind that, people like to judge and make up some drama to spice up their life and feel better about their own situation.
I see my friends almost everyday, but I'd take an hour or 2 to have fun with my dollies, take pics (like someone would go to the gym, cook, sew etc.) Having taste and enjoying having a ball jointed doll certainly doesn't make u a loner, if someone likes to be alone then they will be lonely bjd or no bjd. *sigh*

 

Am I lonely? How can I be with a husband, two kids and two cats? I'm constantly sought out. If anything dolls allow a little "me" time. I can sew for them... go to doll shows... be online in these kinds of forums... all as a way to "recharge my batteries" so to speak.

I'm a very creative person and it's tough with someone hanging over me saying, "What's that? Whatcha doin'? Can I see? Is that for a doll? Can you show me?" It's like, "Ack! Stop! Leave me alone!"