The importance of showing affection to our dolls

I really like this frame of thinking. Plus, I think it's wise to err on the side of caution and not make them angry at me

 

I do think that our dolls absorb our energy and reflect that back at us. I think of my dolls as representing various facets of myself or my own personality so, of course, I want to be kind to them.

 

I also believe that dolls or objects which are almost time with us, can absorb our energy, both positive and negative. So I try to be positive everyday and avoid to be a tragic lady or hatefully curse things/somebody in front of dolls...Why?? I'm afraid that one day my dolls will become evil if I give them too much negative energy for long time...Ohhh!! Some horror movies really make me fear! Have to smile and more smile

 

I don't know if positive energy can affect non-living things... But I agree with others, that it can't hurt to think positive thoughts! And there are studies to say that it will at least affect YOU and the people and pets and plants around you... Being positive and loving is a good thing.

I don't think dolls NEED it... but I'm sure they benefit, like everyone else. If you are caring and loving, then your dolls will be better cared for, basically. I wouldn't focus on the dolls, though. Just be positive and things will be better all around!

I have heard about objects picking up energy. I suppose it could be possible, but I, personally, have no proof so that I can believe this. Still... positive is always better than negative! No matter what is happening in life or in the world...

 

I believe this too. Often, the dolls feel like they have a certain "life" to them, even though they are inanimate objects. I think that this "life" is the energy we have put into them, so its very much a part of ourselves that we share with them. Its like they are empty bodies, and all the feeling and personality we see in them is energy that we ourselves have put there through our thoughts and interactions with them. My oldest doll has a very peaceful personality and a few of my dolls are fun-loving but with attitude, while others are more goofy or sweet. I think it reflects on my feelings towards them and how their faces make me feel when looking at them... those feelings are absorbed and mirrored back at me. I too have been ignoring my dolls a lot lately, and they do seem a bit melancholy for it. Its very interesting to think about how that energy could actually affect them physically! My oldest boy is definitely little yellow, though I'm hoping some of it is his MSC... but I don't mind since he'll always be my favorite.

 

It's interesting to hear you mention this and mention the Rice Experiment. There was a similar experiment that I heard but that one featured water instead of rice. (If you put a nice word under a glass of water and let it freeze, it forms prettier and more symmetrical patterns than if the word was bad or neutral.) It also reminds me of a Korean horror film called "Doll Master" back in 2004. If you were kind to your dolls they would love you and protect you. But if you harm them they would be displeased.

I like to think that my doll is patient and tolerates me being ditzy around him. I talk to him on my way to work in the morning and I say hi to him when I come back from work. And he always has a kind, almost benevolent smile on his face when we meet. I like to think he can hear me when I greet him. I also think he knows that I do care for him even if we can't spend a lot of time together. I try to be never too busy for him because I think of him as my child and friend. And hopefully he will think of me in the same way, too.

 

I'm not sure that I personally believe that positive or negative energy effects inanimate objects, but positive thinking can't hurt at all. If you have fun with your dolls, think positive things about them, heck even talk to them in a positive way, it will pay off. Every time you see them, your brain will associate them with good things in your life and it will raise your mood. It's win win. ^^ conversely I could see how people sometimes have to sell dolls that they have too many bad associations with, so I guess it works the other way as well. Besides, I think human feelings towards dolls are always magnified as the brain's reaction towards anything human-shaped is a very very strong and complex one.

 

I can't sell my first doll, she is like a part of me...

 

Noooo, sorry, I don't buy that. I mean, thinking positive thoughts and having good energy is a GOOD thing no matter the situation, but I don't believe it can affect our dolls. If your doll looks yellow, it's probably because resin naturally ages and yellows over time. This is a normal occurrence that will happen no matter how far away you keep a doll from direct sunlight. It's got nothing to do with negative energy or being ignored. It's just the process of aging resin. I don't play with my dolls a lot. Most times they sit on their shelves and look pretty, but I don't think they start gathering negative energy because they get ignored. If I shower affection and love onto anything, it's my living creatures. My cats and my birds. Unlike dolls, ignoring them or treating them badly WILL have negative results.

If it came down to me having to make a choice between keeping my fur-and-feather-babies or my dolls, the dolls would be the ones to go every time. Dolls can be replaced. My pets can't.

 

They do have a certain energy about them and I tend to pick it up quite easily, that being said, I live in two different places and I only really get to see my dolls on the weekend, which means I do miss them quite a bit while I am away. But every time I am home with them I find myself wandering into my room, no matter what I'm in the middle of, just to move them from my desk to my bed, or out into wherever I am doing things. I always give them a kiss on the head before leaving or going to bed. I do talk to them, and I do think of what they'd be likely to respond with.

 

Well, if that were true, all of my dolls would look absolutely horrible by now. All they do is sit around in my room. I don't do photos. I don't do photostories. I only take them out for doll meets and we haven't had one since - last year or so? *scratches head and tries to remember* I don't talk to them. They still look ok to me. They don't seem to mind. (I don't how they would be able to mind since they're not alive ...) In short: Being ignored doesn't seem to affect them in any way at all.

 

I agree with this.

OP, I think maybe you are just experiencing some regret in neglecting your doll which made you believe your doll seemed 'unhappy'. If anything, I think this just shows that you really do care about him...! I also know what it's like to not get to spend much time with your dolls, but whenever I do get a chance it's magical! ~

 

Okay, so maybe I read a little too much Charles De Lint,( and YA fantasy in general) but I like to believe that there might be small every day magics in the world. I think things do pick up positive or negative energies. At any rate my dolls seem like people to me and even if they don't get attention from me everyday, I do care for them immensely. If I have neglected one of them for a while, I try to make up for it by making them something nice like a new piece of jewelry or new outfit, or some little present. Yesterday I got a wig in the mail for my oldest doll and spent a couple of hours fussing over him and styling it and recutting it slightly, and today I ordered a nice mohair wig for another of my dolls. I think they appreciate the little attentions and presents. I am hoping to spend the week end making doll jewelry and a Regency gown for my Iple girl.

 

I don't think dolls react to your energy. I think it's all in your head.

What I mean, is, if you always associate positivity with your dolls, then seeing them will put a happy image in your head. You neglect the doll, you feel guilty, so you feel that it's sad, like a person or animal would be. You abuse your doll, there's negativity and anger there, you don't enjoy it, so when you see it, it reminds you of those bad feelings. I don't think the doll is absorbing anything. I think it's your perspective.

Example? Say two people go out to dinner. They both sit at the same table, together, and order the same food, service to both is exactly the same. Ask them both about it later. The positive one may say the atmosphere was friendly with loud laughter and families having fun and bright cheerful lighting, the music was upbeat, the main course was amazing and dessert was delicious. The negative one may say the room was too noisy, the kid at the next table never stopped yelling, the light was in their eyes, the music wasn't to their taste, the side dish was a little dry, dessert was 5 minutes late arriving and the whole night was ruined. Two people, exact same situation. One has a great outlook, notices the good and focuses on it, not noticing the small bad things. The other looks for negativity and things to complain about, and doesn't notice all the things that were pleasant. All variables are the same, and the restaurant didn't absorb the emotions of either--it's all outlook.

I think it's the same with the doll. Their faces don't change, they're just resin, but your imagination tricks you into feeling something. They all yellow, or get minor damage but you don't notice it when you're looking at the good--their beauty, their perfect outfit/wig/etc. I hope that makes sense?

 

To me, you are making perfect sense. tjhere are many theories and many belives in this world, and each their own truth.
For me, energie reflects on everything. if it positive, it will last longer in better condition, if it's negative, it will soon break and you'll have to replace it.
That is as true for dolls as it is for cars, computers, clothes, or even your own body.

I ignored my dolls for half a year and they were not happy. I appologiezed, and even if some hold a gruege for a bit, we are all a happy comunity again^^.

 

The rice experiment was debunked a while ago, but I think it's true that if you treat something negatively anyway you'll come to view it in a negative light. That's what happens with body image.

 

Well, I´m unsure about the energy experiment... But I just feel bad if I leave my doll for too long in her box and not play with her. And I smile and carress her and show her my love. I think that´s good for her...somehow... Just feels wrong to ignore or be bad with her...

 

I agree with Uctie and CloakedSchemer, and think they brought up very good points. Although the rice experiment was debunked, I do think it's a nice idea in theory. Your dolls are what you see them as. If you associate positive, happy feelings with seeing your dolls (I know I do), then looking at them when you're feeling down can brighten your mood. But I'm not worried about leaving them untouched for an extended period of time, as I don't believe it has the ability to affect them.

 

I agree with this very much. While I don't think the dolls themselves have any kind of mystical spiritual connection with us humans, in terms of making the hobby a positive experience our attitude is a key point. If we treat the dolls with respect and interest, associating them with positive feelings, that will affect our experience and outlook in general.