hey remember when i was obsessed with sanders sides circa 2018. remember when i made my own sides and basically predicted remus and orange/rage/whatever but no one will ever believe me because i procrastinated too long on sharing them. remember when i redrew them in 2023. no you don't cause i never shared that either but now you do!
2018 ver and more rambling under the cut. if u even care /ref /lh
in any case, creating my own sides has helped a whole lot. being autistic and having trouble with distinguishing my own emotions is overwhelming sometimes, so trying to categorize where each thought/feeling is coming from has been extremely helpful and i highly recommend it. i haven't drawn these sillies as much as i would've liked but they also serve as a great avenue for vent art, something i mostly used established characters for up until creating them.
my art style evolving definitely played a part, but i think growing myself, going on T and into therapy was the biggest component in helping me sort them and be able to communicate with these different sides of myself. being more aware of my body and face in a neutral rather than negative way and not dissociating from them entirely was huge on finally being able to draw them how i picture them; have them look authentic and resemble me AND not be dysphoric or body dysmorphic about it
all this to say. make your own sides. i know some people already have, and i think a lot more would benefit from it.