This is Chai! I've had her for a couple days now and she's already been everywhere with me. It's safe to say I absolutely adore her. It feels weird being an adult in this community at 26, but I remind myself that fun does not have an age limit and I'm not going to deny myself something that makes me happy when it's not hurting anyone. Anyway, hope everyone has had a good Monday :)

Ps. Ignore her bandana and stuff, she's borrowing her brothers gear until her's gets here lol.

I’m back safely from my Canada trip!!
And this sweet baby was waiting for me when I got back home🥺 Now, I ordered this little one in the hopes that they’d arrive before we left on holiday but sadly that wasn’t the case, it all worked out in the end though!! I got to come home to them!!

I love both the name Nugget and Mochi for them but I can’t decide! Who do they look like to you?

was having trouble sleeping last night but my essa bowie helped me a ton. I took a picture because he just looked so adorable I love him!!!! i cuddle with my essas to sleep even though I hear it causes matting... do you guys sleep with your essas?

Hi Everyone! I’m new to this subreddit but I am really happy to be here! I’ve been taking this little guy on errands with me, his name is Bongo, he really helps me when I get anxious, and he fits so perfectly in my bag! So that get’s to my question, what’s your favorite ESSA plushie you bring with you places?

this is Rickey. he is a new plush I’ve bought, and I’ve already sewn him a cadet cap, shirt collar, and white henley. I kind of want a Pinterest alt fall theme, if you know what I mean?? I also want to make him a “vest” so I can carry him and clip him onto bags for travel, but I want it to look more like a piece of clothing. any ideas?

if anyone has pictures of their own plushies with outfits, please do show me! I’d love to see how you style your plushies :)

I made my own muzzle! It was fairly simple and cheap! I'm honestly so proud of myself for it! She is looking so good!

She is from a Breyer Christmas playset; Arctic Princess. It comes with a pony, doll and this a gorgeous glittery seal. I named her Sadie; isn't she cute? She is 6 inches long, small enough for a purse or pocket.

She's a capybara

This is Marcus
Considering he's a very... unconventional ESSA, it's hard to figure out how to dress him up. I do have Kandi beads and I've made him a little bow tie, but I need other ideas. Marcus requires pizazz.

Pepper got dryer burn, so I felt more comfortable customizing her! I wouldn't ruin her super soft fit with dye/paint. She's the Everest Douglas retriever, I turned her into a purple dalmatian!

Brought Presto at school again

As the title says, I am new to the ESSA community. I’m not new to the concept of having emotionally comforting stuffed animals.
I’ve had my Build-a-bear stuffed monkey, Monkers, since I was around 4 years old. As a graduation present to myself I got her “restuffed” which ruined her to be honest. (I’m still working on finding someone to remove the stuffing and get her back to her floppy self)
Now I have my squishmallow, Henry, who has been by my side since I got him a few years ago…

I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, on top of my previously diagnosed conditions. This new diagnosis and symptoms I have been experiencing have affected my whole life; my work, my relationships, and emotionally. Although I am thankful to have a better understanding of myself.

My dog, Charlie, is my ESA and I love him with my entire soul. He turned 13 years old at the beginning of the month. For some reason his birthday has caused so much sadness. My fear of losing him and living a life without him is unbearable to think about. He truly is my soul animal. He’s been by my side for half of my life.

I stumbled upon the ESSA community and felt, silly as it sounds, comforted. After reading many posts I decided to look at the Douglas website. What I found made my heart jump. I found a plushie that looks very similar to my baby, Charlie. He has been ordered and I am waiting for his arrival. (Please note, an ESSA can be anything stuffed you find comforting— even a Rasta banana… you know the one I’m talking about)

Long post so TLDR, I’m thankful to have found this community.

<3 Birdie

this is my essa Milkshake! i normally just use her at night to sleep but schools been stressful lately so idk... she is an GUND from amazon

i made the harness myself!

(for a little more context I’m a minor attending public high school)

I’ve been feeling really down lately and Riley has been basically the only thing that can help. I really want to take her with me everywhere but I’ve never brought her out of the house and I’m nervous. I’m not the least bit ashamed of her but I’m worried that people at my school might hurt her or me if they see her.

How did you guys get the courage to take your ESSAs out with you? Any stories or advice?

My dog passed last year. He was one of the greatest dogs I ever knew. I found a Douglas dog that looked like him and my aunt ordered it for me, and today he finally arrived. I love him to bits already and want to take him everywhere I go.

Ambrosia - Whimsy Twee
Iris - Indie kid
Willow - Cottagecore
Opal - Hippie
Salem - Whimsigoth
Photos in comments

I thrifted her a few weeks ago. We have been bonding. She is a 3rd Round Eevee plush.

Hand made. Found a template on Etsy and immediately made her. Inside is filled with kinetic sand was a PITA to fill. Made 2 more since. She has been such a good stress reliever at work.

Back, back, BACK, what feels like lifetime ago I had one of these sand critters and carried her around for years and kept her in my pocket at all times. Never told a soul I carried her around, would have been bullied more than I was already.

Discovering the essa community had awoken something I forgotten an eon ago. My dog died of cancer very recently and it hit hard. I had to give a essa a try and it turned into an instant bond, maybe because I hand made this one.