A dolly good effort: Shintaro’s gaze helps Paul stay strong

Paul Thompson’s dream of visiting Japan came to fruition this year, bringing home a keepsake with a twist.

Nestled in his suitcase was a Japanese Daruma doll traditionally painted red with a warrior face and used as an external reminder to help achieve goals.

“Going to Japan had always been on my bucket list so to celebrate turning 70 this year I went in October for 16 days,” Mr Thompson said.

“I was drawn to the doll at a market as I knew what they are used for. They come with blank eyes and you colour in one eye when you set yourself a challenge and colour in the next eye once you’ve achieved it.”

Paul returned home, gave himself a week to resettle, then set upon finding a challenge for him and his Daruma.

“I’m too skinny to lose weight so that wasn’t really an option so I thought I like to have a drink and decided I’d go a month without alcohol,” he said.

“Normally when you want to give something up it’s just in your head but this doll gives you an external ugly face to look at everyday and keeps you on the straight and narrow.”

Mr Thompson said he placed the doll he named Shintaro on his fireplace and would see him first thing morning and night.

“I got the feeling in the end I was like Tom Hanks in the movie Castaway where he starts talking to Wilson the volleyball like it’s a person,” he said.

“You’re seeing this thing everyday and reporting to it that you haven’t had a drink and that you’re still good.”

Paul said his body reaped the rewards of no alcohol for the month and he found himself sleeping better and rising earlier.

“The Japanese are right into culture and discipline and the dolls are quite common over there, its such a simple thing but you feel connected to it,” he said.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea for people wanting help to quit something whether it be cigarettes or whatever as you can really draw strength from the doll.”