Why do BJDs bring so much happiness to some of us?

For me, BJD's represent a quiet time to myself to unwind and forget about what is going on in the rest of the world. A time to enjoy and study the beauty and grace captured in resin. A time to be creative and challenge myself to improve my photography skills. Dolls bring me a great deal of peace that I would have never thought possible. Conversely, they also bring excitement and anticipation and every new addition represents a new relationship to be discovered.

 

For me it's an old love of dolls that only the types of dolls have changed. I love how unlike people your dolls won't judge you no matter what even if you stain or damage it. BJD's are also so posable and teach you patience when it comes to things like don't rush a face up, or be careful restringing. Sometimes they're an anchor for people and for some they're like their kids.

To me....They're good friends that no matter what they won't spill your secrets. I can tell my dolls anything and they won't say a word. My secret's safe with them.

 

Hobbies have always been beneficial to the soul, whether of people are into music ,arts or socialising activities in general.

But they will only work their magic if you pick one that suits your character.

I for one ,am truly productive only when I get my peace and quiet, and I find it very important to keep this balance in life.
Therefore dollie hobby has become really special to me.
They complement my way of life,unlike people or pets, that never ask for attention until I am ready to give them some.
The weekends I've spent doing them up feels like therapeutic sessions that helps me recharge for the week.
They are as exciting as a blank canvas to a painter. Everything is possible, and there IS always a way to make them better that they were before, it is the potential boundless creativity that gives me a motivation to explore further into the hobby.

It's really strange how I've never cared if my dolls ever received compliments from others.
Just to be able to paint and dress them already gave me enough personal fulfilment.

 

Interesting question.

I'm not sure how it works, but I do remember that it has always been that way for me. As a little child I played with toycars until I got my first Barbie on a holiday when I was five, and from that moment on I was hooked.
I can't really put a finger on how it works, but I do know that all the best moments in my childhood are related to Barbies (this might be happy or sad depending on how you look at it, but that's how it is).
I have wondered at times if that doll =instant happiness connection from my childhood has made me exceptionally vulnerable for this hobby. Or maybe it's the other way around and that connection was just always there, reckognized for the first time with my first Barbie at age 5, but never to disappear again.

But why they make me happy, I don't know.
I do think that dolls are vessels of a sort, of our projections. little human figures that we project human characteristics upon. Love and tenderness (babydolls) or whole personalities that we can relate to with complicated storylines, or even fear (so many people are afraid of dolls). I do think this is connected in a way to our much broader use of figurines of humans for art or things like religious ideas, but a doll is a lot closer-by then a figurine, a doll is to be touched. So I think it represents relations less abstract then figurines do, mostly. Basic relations that we have with other humans. Maybe that's a part of what makes them so deeply comforting? A bit like cuddling your partner or a child or even a pet can ease your stresslevel without anything happening or changing in your situation, it's just comfort on a very deep level.

It's a fascinating subject to think about. I'm curious to know what other people say about it.

 

I like the sense of accomplishment. I'm still new to the hobby, going on 3 years. It's a sense of pride and joy to know you did something and it came out amazing...Or even just saving up for the doll. That in itself is a big accomplishment.I never really liked dolls when I was a kid. They didn't move very well...and you had to hop them along to walk and they couldn't stand, were stiff and had such a generic expression. With BJDs, they can stand, sit, pose, and you can pretty much pick and choose what they will look like. I really enjoy toting around something that I care about. It has actually been uplifting to "play" with Marc and make him things, or just talk about him. He's been a positive influence to my creativity, and I am excited to get a second one. I don't know how to really describe it, either. It's just refreshing and nice.

 

For me it's a huge creative outlet to create for my dolls... and to see everything come together. Also, I have the added fun and happiness of sharing this hobby with my daughters and it's just fun and relaxing to sit around and talk about/to our dolls and make things together!

 

I feel the greatest happiness, not when I receive a new doll, but when I "play" with my friend.
When we do endless reseach for our characters together. When we plan mini private group orders. When we discuss our plans. When we do a photo shoot together.
There are of course several other ways we enjoy our friendship, that is not doll related, but we get a lot of fun out of dolls, that's for sure.
That's probably why I don't see myself leave the doll hobby, unless she also do.

 

I can't really explain any deep reason I love BJDs so much, and the posts above are brilliant anyway, but on a basic level I've always been in love with dolls, fairytales and folklore since I can remember; they seem connected to each other, and all have this beautiful enchanted feel, it's almost nostalgic and such sweet escapism from the mundane daily life around me

 

Chaeri definitely makes me happy. I love dressing her, making clothes for her, choosing and styling (and sometimes even making) her wigs, doing pictures of her...even just having her with me, looking at her, holding her, gives me joy. I know she's not alive, or conscious of me in any way, but still I sense a certain relationship with her that brings me happiness.

 

My dolls don't bring me an intense happiness like the one you've described, it's more of a sense of contentment for me. When I'm feeling down I like to have them around as I find them calming. My dolls are something I fuss over when I have quiet time to myself, and they provide something positive to focus on when I'm going through a difficult time.

^ I agree with this statement too. Generally I feel much happier having this hobby in my life.

 

Mine is probably completely weird...

I'm usually a very lonely person. I have two parents, a boyfriend, and about one or two trustworthy friends.
I don't have any other family - they all pretty much picked me off of their family tree.
I get bullied constantly, whether by people I THOUGHT were my friends, or by people at work (my boss think's I'm worthless vermin pretty much and no one there really likes me but a very select few)
I've had some pretty bad personal experiences with people, so I just don't trust many people... in other words, because of all the stuff people have put me through - I'm rather antisocial.

Despite that I tend to be a rather lonely person - dolls keep me company. They can't bully me or stab me in the back. Sure, they're not real people, I don't talk to them either XD I don't act like they're alive. However, I just don't feel as lonely. I feel like I have an odd sort of friend I can be myself around and not worry. This would also be why I love animals so much as well...
Then on top of that there's the form of creativity and imagination behind it. They reflect on the kind of person you like to be, or the kind of person you like to be around. You can make them whoever you want. They're like a little outlet.

I probably seem like an odd little creepy loner by this post lol... but that's just my input.

 

I love this thread :]

They bring me so much happiness because they are my creation^^ the fact that there are many dolls of the same mold but each doll differs greatly from one another because they are a reflection of the owner's life, thoughts, dreams...is what attracted me the most to this hobby in the first place.

It is not the same with figurines because they are already somebody else's creation. I can change nothing because there's nothing to change, I can only admire them. But BJDs are different. I choose the eyes, hair, create a personality, fashion style etc etc they are mine, I either see it as art, a little companion and whatnot, but they're still my creation^^

Also, I feel an immense calm when I'm with them, alone. They are my outlet to explore the artistic side of myself and to escape from reality which can become very stressful. Plus, I like miniature stuff

 

To me, my dolls remind me of an accomplishment. I really did not feel confident that I would actually be able to save the money required for my dolls. I thought that I'd get to somewhere around $100-150, decide going without new books, or things I didn't really need, would get to me and I'd cave; I'd spend it all. I did get to around $250 when I first tried saving for a BBB Mei, but decided not to get the doll; I spent that money, though I should've saved it.

I had to do a little bit of work to make myself stay focused, but I did it. I couldn't believe I had, but I did. I also found that consecutive dolls after didn't seem like such a big hassle; I saved for my BBB Apollo with less of a need to push myself.

Now, I have a crazy extensive list of characters I want to shell, so saving isn't going to be something I'm not used to anymore.

Dolls are good company. Most people see a psychological connection as meaning an equivalent for children. I consider dolls company that you don't need to worry about. You don't need to have food available, have people stealing your remote, or hogging your computer; they just quietly sit there, content all by themselves.

 

It's simple. I'm an introvert. Introverts tend to feel drained by people. I'm forced to interact with people in my full-time job, when I go out of the house, etc. I like dolls because they don't drain me like people do. They don't make me feel the pressure of spending time with them or anything like that. They wait for when I'm ready for them. They don't judge me.

 

Interesting topic...for me, its not just ABJDs, but a variety of dolls that bring me joy! With the ABJDs, I like dressing the larger ones in fashions and adorning them in hair styles and colors that I couldn't wear. Such as the BTSSB and Lolita fashions my Volks Rose looks so great in...could I wear these same fashions? No, trust me...no...LOL! With the tinies, I enjoy creating little vinettes for them, finding the perfect prop or setting is a real pleasure. Then there are the dolls that just make me smile just by being there. My latest acquisition is Volks White Rabbit Sweet Dreams, and as I shared with a good friend today, he doesn't do anything but sleep, but it sure makes me happy looking at him while he does it!

Juli DC