Share
Weve probably all got that one dealbreaker that would mean ourrelationshipis toast.
For other people, however, strange hobbies and habits may come first.
We associate stuffed animals with toys, and toys are for children, not grownups.
A survey by Build-A-Bearshowsthat 40% of Americans sleep with a stuffed animal.
Psychologists dont really see a problem with adults keeping stuffed animals.
As licensed therapist Robert Ryanexplained to Vice, it simply satisfies some kind of need.
If youre alone in life and you have a big stuffed animal, theres somebody in bed with you.
Sometimes its very comforting to cuddle a pillow, and it might not be anything more than that.
As licensed therapist Maddy Ellbergerexplainedto The New York Times, it might cause more problems rather than a solution.
Being given an ultimatum is kind of a problem.
But theres nothing pathologically wrong with having your own stuffed toy well into adulthood.
Just like children, adults may need help regulating stress and emotions, especially when coping with separation anxiety.
Stuffed animals can come in handy in such scenarios.
In 1951, pediatrician and psychoanalyst D.W. Winnicott called such items transitional objects.
Play therapist Mark Brennerexplainsthat we might need stuffed toys even in adulthood because theyre sacred keepsakes.
They remind us and pull us back to a place and time of great solace and memory.
Whats more, they can even help us sleep better.
As we associate stuffies with childhood bedtime rituals, they might bring us comfort.
In the meantime, Im going to go cuddle with my giantWinnie the Poohplushie, Pandas.
And Ill feel no shame about it whatsoever.
Check out the results:
