OUT OF THE BOX TOOL: What Your AI Doll Reveals - A Fun Way to Explore Your Boundaries

Sometimes the most revealing tools are the ones we least expect

Constanze Munz

Apr 12, 2025

Today is Saturday and I wanted to write a newsletter about a second tool on how to set boundaries.

I thought about it.

The whole week.

While being on a plane. With a toddler one might add and while watching Mary Poppins. You might be surprised by the ideas you can get from Mary Poppins. She definitely knows how to set boundaries. Or did you ever see her staying anywhere for too long.
While working back in Dubai on my desk.
While sitting in a cafe trying to write this newsletter.

And I struggled.

Whilst I believe that boundaries is such an important topic for working parents, I also really struggled with the topic.

It’s just not me. I like to think “Out of The Box”. Not within or about Boundaries.

And the fact that I wanted to have this as the focus topic for the whole month.

The Boundary Realization

Then it came to me. I am the one setting boundaries for this newsletter.

Which also means I am the one deciding on whether I want to write about boundaries.

The AI Doll Tool

I decided that today the tool I wanted to share is a trending AI experiment that's making the rounds on social media: creating your personalized AI doll.

If you've been online lately, you've probably seen these colorful, stylized dolls popping up everywhere.

They're quite charming, with each one reflecting something unique about the person who created it. I've been fascinated seeing how people express themselves through their choices.

So naturally, I had to try making my own.

Got my prompt from my bestie in Germany.

Tried it and...

Failed...

Or at least that's what I think / thought / contemplate about.

Can one fail at a fun AI prompt?

Well, apparently I can.

How? So I get all of these nice examples and then I put mine next to it. The prompt said I should put three accessories next to the doll. I chose a laptop, a padel racket and a Prosecco glass. (Didn't really work as you can see by the way, but that's a different story).

The Missing Piece

And when I start comparing there is one thing I realized.
I forgot my son.

Just forgot. He is not in the package of my doll. Not next to me, not as an "accessory", not even in any of the wording ("mom" etc).

I forgot the most important person, "accessory", part of my life in this prompt.

So then my mind started.

I am a bad mom

How can I forget

The whole working MOM thing is such an important part of my life.

How
Can
I
Forget?

The Boundary Irony

Well, I guess, I just stayed within the boundaries. I did what the prompt told me to do. I didn't think "Out of the Box". Imagine! 😉

And also I focused on the "me", forgetting that the "me" also includes being a mom now. And that I am so extremely proud of this.

I don't need to set boundaries to be either me, or a mom, or a professional, or a padel player, or a fun friend.

This is all me. No boundaries needed. Just authenticity.

Me.

So the doll I created...
It's a doll.
Nothing more nothing less.
Doesn't tell me anything about who I am.

It did get me to think though.

About being a mom.

About the three accessories.

It was not super easy to come up with three.

It's not more than a screenshot. Something fun.

It's me exploring my boundaries. On motherhood, on “accessories” needed, on comparing myself to others. On the guilt we feel so often.

One Doll That Inspired Me

Before I wrap up, I want to share one doll that really got me thinking. It was created by my friend, and it excited me because it really represents who she is.

As a mom. A woman. An entrepreneur. A friend.

And Fun.

Looking at her doll inspired me in a way I didn't expect.

It captured her essence so beautifully that it made me want to reflect my authentic self just as clearly. Sometimes seeing how others express themselves gives us permission to do the same.

Unfortunately my ChatGPT license doesn’t let me try again for another 24h. ;)

The Tool: Try It Yourself

So for today's tool that's what I wanted to invite you to do this.

Here's the prompt I used (in English):

Create a high-quality 3D rendering of a cartoon-like figure, presented in a blister package styled like collector's toy. The cardboard background is <color> and features a retro-inspired toy label. At the top center, in large, bold capital letters within a yellow frame with black border, is <brand>. Directly below to the right in smaller text is <name>. In the top right, there's a blue circular badge that says "ACTION FIGURE". In the top left, a small white speech bubble shows "4+".

The figure stands upright, encased in a clear plastic box mounted on a flat cardboard carrier. Their face is <detailed description or "as in the photo">, in the following pose: <pose>. The overall impression should be light and realistic. The figure wears <clothing>.

On the side of the figure, three miniature accessories are integrated in separate plastic molds: <item 1>, <item 2>, <item 3>. Each accessory is fitted into its own custom compartment. The packaging should be photographed or rendered – with soft shadows, even lighting, and a clean white background to convey the impression of a professional product photoshoot.

The style should combine realism with the stylized 3D cartoon aesthetic – like retro toy models. Make sure the layout and proportions of the product match those of a real toy in a store.

Just fill in the blanks with your own details and see what you get!

Do it. Have fun with it. And think about what it makes you realize. If it does.

What would your 3 “accessories” be?
What do they stand for?
What did you include, what did you forget (if there was anything)?
And is there anything this fun thing tells you about your boundaries? Or the lack of?

And most of all: have fun with it!

Because that is why I wanted to start the boundaries theme with in the first place.

To create spaces. For being a mom, a professional, a fun friend, a sporty spice, anything you like. To have fun.