Security blankets have been a necessity for me since I can remember. Honestly, I don’t exactly remember what my first blankie looked like, but I know it was always with me.
When I cracked my head open on the corner of an old TV, that blanket went directly to my head as I ran screaming to get help. I played with that blanket, slept with that blanket, and snuggled with it while watching TV or reading a book.
Now that I’m an adult I still have a security blanket, but it looks a little different. One of my comforts is wrapping a blanket around me a snuggling down into bed or on the couch while reading or watching TV. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it.
Snuggling up with a comfy blanket is a common comfort technique a lot of adults talk about, yet no one calls it a security blanket. Even when people have a preference for one blanket over another, once you’re an adult it’s not the language we use.
The truth is, I don’t think anyone outgrows that need for a security blanket.
How do adults use security blankets?
Sure, when you’re older you’re not going to throw a temper tantrum if you have to wash a blanket or if you can’t find the exact blanket you wanted. You’re also not going to carry it around to work with you. However, the office I used to work at did keep the temperatures pretty cold. There were several people running around with blankets wrapped around their shoulders, me included.
While we may not use security blankets the same way, there is still that comfort. When I’m sleeping at night, I feel best when I have my sheet or blanket wrapped up over my shoulders then held tight up by my chin. I’m not sure what it is about that position, but it’s much more comforting than simply being covered by a blanket.
When my husband was deployed I would frequently turn his pillow or a shirt of his into a security blanket. I would snuggle it because I missed having him next to me. Obviously it wasn’t the same, but it did provide me some comfort.
You all know how important my cat Arthur is to me. When I really think about it, he’s sort of a security blanket of some kind too. He loves to snuggle me, so much so someday he may snuggle me to death! Sleeping next to me at night he likes to lay right up next to me under my arm. When we travel I really do miss him.
Security blankets are items that brings us comfort. Not everyone is as open as I am about their security blankets, and that’s okay. The important thing is recognizing those things that bring you comfort. Understanding who or what you can turn to when you’re having a bad day, you’re working through a challenge, or when you just need to sit back and take a break from life.
I encourage my friends and family to identify their security blankets. Those are the things that can help people get through tough times. It’s easier to recognize them and turn to them if you’ve realized what they are ahead of time. I hope you’ll take a moment to think about your life and identify your security blankets. If you already know what they are, even better!
What other security blankets do you see adults turning to? Identifying them may give you more comforting techniques to turn to in the future.
Something very infantile about this. Family dysfunction when a child that lingers into “adulthood” = but really only an getting older “childhood”?
I’m not sure I understand your comment about family dysfunction and a child lingering into adulthood. I didn’t mention either of those things in my post. The post was regarding the items we find comfort in as adults, with a spin on the language of security blanket. I’m interested to hear more detail about your thoughts.
it is hot therNot sure why????? But no matter what the temperature is I need a blanket on top of me. This annoys many people. My doG Harley and I use fight over the blanket but 2 pretty girls can save. It was a game between us. When Harley passed Netherlands blanket was buried with her. I have a new one and wonder if something cis wrong me?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. Many people love to have blankets over them. Not only are they a source of warmth, but they are a source of comfort as well. Sometimes it’s a sentimental connection if someone has given the blanket to you, or it’s made out of material that has meaning to you. Other times it’s the weight of the blanket, which has been shown to have calming effects on people with anxiety, so I don’t see why it wouldn’t comfort those without anxiety as well. Enjoy your snuggle time, and keep those good memories of Harley. I’m not sure why you being covered in a blanket would bother other people, but that has nothing to do with you, that’s totally on them 😉