From novelty shop toys to full-size dolls… I don’t think this progression is random

I was thinking about this the other day and I’m curious how many of you followed a similar path, because the more I talk to guys in this space, the less random it all seems.

Back in the 90’s, I remember going into one of those novelty shops and buying my first “pocket pussy" for $30. It felt like a big deal at the time. You had to work up the nerve just to walk in, everything was behind glass, and you grabbed something quick and got out.

If you thought about going beyond that back then, the only option was those blow-up dolls, and they looked completely fake. No realism, no weight, no presence. You knew it wasn’t even close to what you actually wanted.

But here’s the part that sticks with me. Even back then, a lot of us were imagining something very specific. Something that looked human, felt real, something consistent that wasn’t just a screen. You didn’t have the words for it, and there was no product that matched it, but the idea was there.

Fast forward to now, and it almost feels like the technology didn’t just evolve on its own, it feels like it caught up to something a lot of guys had already been thinking for years. Like the manufacturers somehow tapped into that exact idea and just kept refining it.

What’s interesting is how similar the path is for a lot of people. Most guys didn’t jump straight into a full-size doll. They started with something simple, got comfortable with it, upgraded over time, and eventually the idea of a full-size doll stopped feeling extreme and just felt like the next logical step.

And this ties directly into porn use, which I think is a big part of the picture.

A lot of guys I’ve spoken to were watching pretty regularly before getting a doll. Not necessarily out of control, but it was a habit. It was the default.

After getting a doll, the shift isn’t identical for everyone, but there are patterns. Some guys cut back a lot because the physical experience replaces a big chunk of that need. Others still watch, but it becomes more intentional instead of endless scrolling. And then there are some where nothing really changes, because for them it’s more about routine than anything else.

But one thing I keep noticing is that once something more immersive enters the picture, the constant need for novelty tends to drop. It’s like the brain doesn’t need the same level of stimulation from a screen anymore.

Looking back, it’s kind of wild. What didn’t exist at all in the 90’s is now a full category, and a lot of us seem to have followed almost the same progression getting here.

I’m curious how many of you see yourself in that.

Did you start with something basic and work your way up, or did you go straight into it? And did it change your habits at all once you made that jump?