Cute and Kind Ways to Respond When Someone Asks, "Why Do You Have Dolls?"
- therebornhub
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
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People are nosy. It's human nature. When something seems "different" or "unusual," most people are going to look at it and think, huh? And honestly, that's not always a bad thing. A lot of the time, it's not judgment, but curiosity. Many people have never seen a reborn doll before. Their first time hearing about them might be right now, in this exact moment, with you.
So, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt. I assume they don't know about the hobby, and they're just trying to understand. When someone asks why I have reborns, I remind myself that it's a normal reaction to want to understand something new or different. And because of that, I respond with kindness. My goal is to teach, show, and help others see that reborns aren't weird, scary, sad, or anything dramatic. It's just a hobby that makes a lot of people happy.
Over time, I have learned a handful of cute, calm, and simple wats to respond when someone asks, "why do you have dolls?" Here are some of my favorites, along with the real meaning behind them.
"They're my hobby. I just really enjoy them."
People collect a lot of things. Candles, books, shoes, figurines, plants, trains, vinyl records, crystals, mugs... you name it! Reborns are no different. They're a hobby. Something that brings happiness. Something to care about. Something that makes the day a little more gentle.
You don't owe anyone a deep explanation. If you want to keep it simple, you can. A simple, "it's my hobby and I enjoy it," is a perfectly complete answer.
"They're an art collection. I appreciate the artists."
Reborns are art.
They are sculpted, painted, baked, rooted, weighted, and assembled by hand. No two are exactly the same. Collecting reborns is like collecting paintings or ceramics, just softer and a more lifelike form.
Some collectors choose to display their dolls. Some use them for photos, and some enjoy interacting with them. All of those are valid. If appreciating the craftsmanship is your reason, that's enough.
"They're comforting to me."
Comfort doesn't always mean childish. It's not plushies or childhood toys. Adults comfort themselves in different ways, like weighted blankets, fidget items, knitting, journaling, or scrolling on Tik Tok for two hours. Having something that calms your body and nervous system is not silly. It's actually really smart.
Some people feel comfort when holding something soft and warm. Reborns provide a comforting feeling to many people.
"They help me slow down when my day feels chaotic."
We live in a fast world.
Everyone is "running late," "overwhelmed," "busy," or "burnt out by Thursday."
Reborns are a gentle, soft hobby. They invite slowness. Changing onesies, brushing soft rooted hair, or posing baby for a picture is all slow paced and calming. If your like feels chaotic, having something that helps you is valuable.
"I enjoy baby things. This lets me enjoy that stage in a different way."
Babies are adorable. Baby clothes are adorable. Tiny socks? Oh so cute!
You might not want another child right now, or ever.
You might already be parent.
You might be done with that chapter of life, or simply not in it.
Reborns allow you to enjoy that cozy aesthetic and nurturing energy without needing to raise an actual newborn. It's a happy medium that hurts no one and brings joy.
"Some people collect video games. Some collect plants. I collect dolls."
This one usually makes people nod in instant understanding.
Once they hear that collecting is collecting, no matter the object, it makes sense. It reminds people that their hobbies might look "different" to someone else too. And that's okay. We're not all meant to all like the exact same things.
"I love buying them clothes and taking pictures. It's fun and creative."
Plenty of hobbies revolve around styling and staging, like fashion photography, scrapbooking, room decor, nail art, resin crafts, or cosplay.
Reborns are a creative hobby.
You get to style outfits, plan little scenes, create photos, decorate a nursery corner if you want to, and enjoy the aesthetics of something cute. Creativity is a valid reason all on it's own.
"The community is really sweet. I've made friends through it."
Some people enjoy this hobby for the dolls, and stay for the people. The collector community can be incredibly supportive, welcoming, and kind. Meeting others who share your interests can feel grounding, especially if you've felt misunderstood in other areas of your life.
Finding friends who get you? That matters.
"It helps my anxiety. Having something to hold helps me."
Many people in this hobby came here while going through something heavy:
Anxiety
PTSD
BPD
Depression
Infertility
Greif
Overwhelm
Or just general life stress.
A reborn is not a cure. They're not a replacement for therapy or medication. But they can be a coping tool. Holding something weighted and lifelike can help regulate your nervous system and bring your body back out of that fight or flight state. It's similar to how weighted blankets and deep pressure therapy.
And if something helps yo in a healthy way? That's a good thing.
"I think they're adorable and fun to collect."
And honestly...
It really can be that simple.
We don't have to defend our joy.
We don't have to justify harmless hobbies.
We don't have to explain the "why" in detail if we don't want to.
Sometimes the answer is:
"I like them."
And that's enough.
Conclusion
People will always be curious. That's just part of being human. And most of the time, curiosity is not the same as judgement. When someone asks, "why do you have dolls?" you have options. You can keep it short. You can explain. Or you can simply smile and say, "It's just something I love."
Reborns don't have to be defended.
They don't need a dramatic story or emotional explanation.
They can simply be a sweet, coxy hobby that brings happiness.
And happiness is always worth keeping.
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