Plush Companions: From Happy Meals to Celebrity Favorites
I have several toys that live with me, each with their own names and personalities. It all began when I spotted two of them in a Happy Meal. This ignited a kind of madness, leading to their "friends" from the plush toy stores joining them. These toys have become my faithful travel companions and even help with my aerophobia. Once, I risked missing a flight because I forgot them at home.
This story might seem strange if it were an isolated case. However, my colleague has a plush pig at home with a distinct personality and character. All visitors are obliged to greet it. Another colleague sleeps with a huge plush cat. Additionally, a close friend keeps a toy bear in her car, which she jokingly claims is the car's actual owner. One of my Twitter followers has a black plush axolotl that has traveled to more countries than I have. This follower even got a tattoo in its honor.
It's important to note that all these individuals are between 22 and 43 years old, with stable incomes, careers, personal lives, and they are not suffering from loneliness. This topic is far from taboo. I regularly see people posting photos of these toys on social media, sharing funny stories, and involving others in this ongoing spectacle.
To extend beyond personal stories, I explored how celebrities interact with plush toys by studying their social networks. For example, Mariah Carey adores plush lambs, and Johnny Depp has a fondness for Barbie dolls. King Charles III is known for not parting with his childhood plush bear.
Why do adults love soft toys?
For a child, a toy often becomes a transitional object, replacing a parent, aiding in calming down, and facilitating independent sleep. That's why many children have favorite toys.
In adulthood, a toy can serve a similar calming role, connecting one with their inner child and providing comfort. For instance, hugging a plush shark when you're sad can be comforting, much like a blanket or hot tea.
Many people also take toys on trips or keep them in their car. What does this signify? A toy can become a talisman, living in the car, office, or accompanying a person on travels. Such a plush companion becomes an anchor of pleasant memories and emotions, like keeping a childhood toy or cherishing a gift. In doing so, the person transfers warm memories and associations to the toy, keeping it nearby.
Why do people invent personalities for toys?
Psychologically, this process resembles a child transferring parental traits to a toy. The toy serves as a symbolic substitute while the close adult is away. The child understands it's not a parent but associates the toy with the warmth of that contact.
Adults may undergo a similar process, where a toy represents an 'ideal friend' or 'ideal listener.' Observing the traits given to the toy can be revealing, often reflecting qualities the owner themselves lacks.
How the psyche works: a person externally projects a part of themselves onto an object, similar to how a child sees themselves in a significant adult. This happens unconsciously and not only with people and toys but also in relationships. For example, one partner might feel incomplete without the other, as they associate part of their identity with their partner.
In the end, these plush companions are more than just toys; they're a testament to the enduring power of imagination and comfort in our lives. They remind us that, regardless of age, there's always room for joy, creativity, and a touch of whimsical nostalgia.
