[Indie'sOK]

I know I've been starting a lot of new threads lately, sorry if it's annoying. I just have been thinking about this lately and cannot convince myself that it's normal. I'm 16 years old and still really like stuffed animals. I even am going to go make one at the Build A Bear workshop. I asked on Yahoo! Answers if this was "normal" and several people my age said yes, it is. Still, I cannot convince myself that it's "ok". I feel like I missed out on stuff like this as a little kid - I miss my childhood. Sorry if this triggers. I know so many people my age that are reverting to their childhood as well - it's just something that happens as we grow up. It's like I get a comfort from surrounding myself with stuffed animals and things, I don't know. It's like I don't want to act like every other teenager out there, constantly on their cell phone or computer. How does this sound to you? A part of me does want to be a little kid again but then another part is loving the newfound freedom that comes with being 16.

[Nsomthin]

i say be yourself and do the things you enjoy to do and surround yourself with stuff you enjoy, and when you look back on your life will you want to say i was normal, or that i had fun?

it doesnt sound weird to miss your childhood im not much older than you and i miss my childhood too, lol i wish i could have a redo.sorry if wasn't much help

[Jewels]

Hey Indie!!!!!

my daughter LOVES Build A Bear Workshop, and so she gets to make one for her birthday every year. She has 7 of them so far. And on several occasions she has whined that I need to make one too. She knows that I struggle with things, and she wants me to feel safe. So, I have two bears, Peaches and Chloe Joy. I cherish them both. I will probably make another one when her birthday comes around. It has been quite a few years since I made one. So I don't think your love for stuffies is anything unusual. Get a Bear, or a tiger, or a dog, or whatever suits your fancy at Build A Bear. You have every right to get one. And don't think it is too childish. You may be tapping into that little one inside you who needs comforting. Buy the bear, and don't think about it. I hope that you find joy in it. Because they do bring joy to me and I know they bring joy to my daughter. Age doesn't matter at all. Because I have a stuffed bear that has been with me for a very long time. His name is Pookie, and he is a very loved bear. He goes everywhere with me...even if I am going to be going to a hotel or to my friend's house. So feel no guilt my friend, having a bear might just be what you need right now.

[RebbieDoll]

hey Indie, first of all, don't worry about being annoying and starting too many threads! that's not annoying in the slightest
second of all. I think part of growing up is sort of embracing parts of childhood that you love or you weren't able to enjoy as a child. Personally, I think it's a sign of maturity that you are able to do that, since most people during teenage years don't think it's "cool" or whatever, which is absurd. Being who you are, liking what you like, and not wanting to be just like every other teenager like you said is always a good thing, and I think you should be proud of it! And by the way, I have a HUGE collection of stuffed animals; they don't even fit in my room. And my boyfriend and I love sewing stuffed animals and playing with them--and we're adults, living in our own house. So yes, enjoy the freedom of being 16, and all it entails--which includes the freedom to surround yourself with whatever makes you happy.

[Rhiannonsmoon]

))))Indie(((( (they're the wings of freedom you get when you are 16)

The reason we are here hon is to read new posts...if there were none it would be a boring old forum...

I have a spare queen size bed filled with soft toys, a dresser filled with soft toys a hamper filled with soft toys and a wooden box filled with soft toys...

My favourites are squirrel, bi-polarbear, Flying Doctor Bear, and lavender bear...

those who can embrace the softness of the toys of their childhood can carry a smile right through life...I'm smiling from ear to ear...

I'm a smidgin over 16 on the outside but on the inside...part of me will be 16 always

[Indie'sOK]

Remember how I said I posted something about this to Yahoo! Answers? Someone told me not to buy a bear and to "grow up". WHY WHY WHY do I care what people think of me!!!??? I'm just so sick of caring! When am I going to stop? I sent that kid a nasty email but it doesn't make his remarks bother me less.

[Nsomthin]

you shouldn't listen to yahoo answers, alot of people just go there to make fun of people , give rude and wrong answers.

[RebbieDoll]

ugh don't listen to anyone on yahoo answers. they love to be mean, I do not know why.

[Indie'sOK]

I don't know why people are so mean either, I guess it's because it's anonymous. That's the nice thing about forums - if you're unnecessarily rude to someone they can kick your butt out of the board or you will develop a bad reputation. Thanks guys I hate how my self-confidence depends on anybody's opinion of me. And I do mean anybody.

[daggy]

Hi Indie ,Just caught up to your thread . If we took what everybody said as gospel every time we would have no thoughts of our own to rely on. there are people in this world that get great joy in seeing others suffer be it physical or emotional and these people should not be listened to and ignored.
Good advice comes from the heart and you cant find that in such a broad and open spectrum

[Indie'sOK]

I know, the problem is that everyone could talk to me until they're blue in the face about how these people aren't worth being upset over and I still am not any closer to relying on my OWN opinions. But I do appreciate all the support from you guys, and that's most of the battle x Sorry I'm so stubborn.

[RebbieDoll]

I totally understand about self esteem being so dependent on other people's opinions. I'm the same way and it's really hard to not let it get to you. But yeah, when there's people on the internet being anonymous, that's just a recipe for cruelty; it's terrible.
It won't happen overnight, but you can become self-confident enough to not let other people's opinions affect you. Just try to love yourself [I know it's hard, I'm still trying too] and do what you want to do and relish in the freedom of finding yourself and connecting with your childhood and having fun and dealing with what you need to deal with, and try to remember that the people who don't matter, really do not matter.

[daggy]

listen to your own heart dear girl

[Indie'sOK]

My crappy self-esteem drowns out the beating

[Indie'sOK]

I think I need to pay T a visit about this. Lord how I admire that woman...

[epicbluez]

hey
my parents never believed in toys only in educational and constructive games. i guess i grew up never having the craze of barbies, hotweels or even pooh bear. i considered them trivial and frivolous things as i was brought up that way. some times i still do. but i have an attachment to my pillow and i go every where with it. everyone in my family thinks i have my upstairs missing. but i think they are jelous because i think they never found such joy and contentment having something simple and good. my friend has a teddy baer called jingels it is the most mutilated and weather beaten bear i have seen but she still has it and has taken it to uni and i envy her because she dosent care wht ppl think because she believes in her self that this makes her happy. u are not the only bear buddy

[Perna]

I think you might be a bit young for the Beanie Baby craze; but basically we're talking grown-ups collecting stuffed animals http://videogum.com/92151/full_grown...bou/nostalgia/

I am 60 this year, my brother is 62 and I have his teddy bear (and mine :-) because he abandoned it. I can't bear (sorry, LOL) to just throw it out. His daughter, my niece won't want it but maybe some great niece down the line might.

Like everyone says, do your own thing; if you like stuffed animals, go for it!

I was given a teddy bear for my 59th birthday. It is within arm's reach.

[thine_self_untrue]

Hey, Indie

I loved stuff animals when I was little. I still have a lot of them and I don't think I could bear to get rid of them. (No pun intended)

I'm seventeen and sleep with a teddy bear. She how un-weird you are? LOL Funny thing is, I really have no emotional attachment to it, unlike some of my other critters. But it's dang soft and I feel better having something to hold. I sleep best clutching either the bear or a pillow.

Please, don't let anyone tell you how to be Indie. Only you can figure out how to do that. And if Indie wants to Build a Bear she should go for it. In fact, she should be really loud about it, just to throw it in the faces of anyone too scared or cool to do it themselves.

[Indie'sOK]

Thanks so much everyone I sleep with a stuffed harp seal at night, except my dog has gotten at it a few times so it's kind of matted and smells like him. Nevertheless it's cute and fuzzy.

[natalieraeperry]

hey man, im 22 and i still have lots of "childs" dreams and thoughts. It is very normal to wish to be a child again. ESPECIALLY if your dealing with tough issues. When you were younger things were easier right? everyone goes through this. IN fact Im going to Disneyland on my 23rd birthday so i can have a few days to be young and carefree once again. If you think about it, most kids ur age tred having to take on REAL responsibilty. such as paying bills, choosing a career, getting a job. NO ONE wants this. its a lot to take on. going back to the easier life as a child lots of poeples dream.

[vegscouse]

Originally Posted by Indie'sOK

I know I've been starting a lot of new threads lately, sorry if it's annoying. I just have been thinking about this lately and cannot convince myself that it's normal. I'm 16 years old and still really like stuffed animals. I even am going to go make one at the Build A Bear workshop. I asked on Yahoo! Answers if this was "normal" and several people my age said yes, it is. Still, I cannot convince myself that it's "ok". I feel like I missed out on stuff like this as a little kid - I miss my childhood. Sorry if this triggers. I know so many people my age that are reverting to their childhood as well - it's just something that happens as we grow up. It's like I get a comfort from surrounding myself with stuffed animals and things, I don't know. It's like I don't want to act like every other teenager out there, constantly on their cell phone or computer. How does this sound to you? A part of me does want to be a little kid again but then another part is loving the newfound freedom that comes with being 16.

There is nothing wrong with any of that. Go be your own person, not who society says you should be. What's wrong with being childish? I played with lego today and i'm nearly 24!