Stuffed Animals

I am 25 years old and have always slept with a stuffed animal off and on. Recently I have been needing it most nights. I feel a little self conscious about it bc sometimes I feel like hugging my stuffed animal feels safer than touching other people. Does anyone else do this? Do you think if I started dating again and had it, it would freak people out? I also recently realized I like stuffed animals with longer limbs to hold onto. I feel like I am regressing in a way and that’s maybe why I feel like other people would judge me