There’s something about a childhood teddy bear that make them more than just stuffed toys; they are cherished companions, confidants, and sources of comfort. And TikTok won’t rest until you’re moved by strangers’ love for their childhood teddy bears.
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TikTok trend #ChildhoodTeddy explained
Earlier this year, Twitter user @steviaplath showed before-and-after images of a stuffed sheep toy, with the “after” picture showing it withered and old. The user captioned the image “Too much love.”
In response, Twitter user @tacticalcoqette responded, “Just the right amount 🙂 to be loved is to be changed,” gaining over 1,100 retweets and 6,800 likes in less than a week.
Just the right amount 🙂 to be loved is to be changed
— read Men in the Sun (@tacticalcoqette) February 17, 2023
TikTok has become inspired by this (albeit, a few months late), and users are comparing pictures of their childhood stuffed bears that they still have. The application has an ever changing landscape, with new hashtags and trends emerging nearly everyday. During the month of October, this new trend has sparked over 15 million views since its inception.
TikTok user @ecvhsa shared pictures of a pink unicorn she has had since she was young. A more recent picture shows the unicorn withered and faded.
In the caption Eva wrote, “Since I was 6 this silly little unicorn went with me everywhere. I took it to school, took it to restaurants, took it to bed, where she was I was. As I grew up I didn’t need her and she sat under my bed but then when given the decision to keep her or throw her away last week, I chose to keep her.”
The idea ‘to be loved is to be changed’, has also spread to the pet owners of TikTok. Users are sharing pictures of their dogs and cats, especially those who have been rescued, on how love has changed them.
@nothannahf My FAVORITE tiktok trend🥺❤️ #tobelovedistobechanged ♬ original sound – gosiahballer
Over 200 thousand pet owners and childhood teddy bear loves have posted using the same audio.
So next time you come across your old teddy bear, or a pet you’ve had since you were little, take a moment to appreciate their special significance. It is more than just a toy, or a pet, really; it is a symbol of love, friendship, and security. It is practically family.
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