#126 Final presentations in Poland

Doll house

In the grand tapestry of human experience, we are all in search of something. For some, it's a sense of purpose, for others, it’s love or success. But underneath it all, there lies a universal desire: the need to find where we belong—a place that feels like home, where we fit in perfectly, where we are accepted and understood. This journey to finding our place can often feel like being trapped inside a box, one that both defines and confines us.

Imagine life as a dollhouse. Each room represents a different aspect of society, with its own set of rules, expectations, and behaviors. As you move through the rooms, you try to find the one that feels right, that resonates with who you are. But what happens when none of the rooms seem to fit? When you can’t find the one space where you feel comfortable, seen, and valued? This is the struggle of trying to find a place where you belong. It’s a challenge many face—feeling like an outsider, like a square peg in a world full of round holes. You move from place to place, community to community, trying to find that elusive sense of belonging, but often, the more you search, the more distant it seems.

We can view society like a well-organized dollhouse with every room meticulously designed and arranged. To live comfortably within it, you must adhere to its rules. These societal norms are the invisible walls of the box, dictating how you should behave, what you should value, and who you should be. Conformity is the key to fitting in, to being accepted by the masses. But what if these rules don't align with who you are? What if the expectations feel like chains, restricting your true self? In this dollhouse, you either abide by these societal rules or face the risk of being shunned, ostracized for your nonconformity. The pressure to conform can be overwhelming, pushing you to mold yourself into something you’re not just to avoid standing out, just to avoid the discomfort of being different.

For many, the solution to this struggle lies in the comfort of the masses. Conformity offers a sense of security, a shield against the harsh judgment of society. When you conform, you are no longer an individual fighting to find your place; you are part of a larger group, shielded by the collective. In the mass, you find safety, a place where you no longer have to question your belonging because you’ve molded yourself to fit the room perfectly.

But this security comes at a cost. To find comfort in conformity, you often have to sacrifice parts of yourself - unique thoughts, unconventional dreams, your true identity. The box becomes a place of refuge, but also a prison, keeping you from exploring the full extent of who you are.

Will you abide or break the walls of your doll house?

Inspired by the Dollhouse museum in Warsaw

By Tena Bošnjaković