Hello! 🐾
I’m unsure if I’m otherhearted.
I when it comes to therian terms I know… I relate strongly to psychological therians. I also have shifts for sure, like phantom limbs and other versions of shifting.
However, due to personal beliefs, I don’t think I “am” an animal, in spirit or brain. I identify ‘as’ them, in theory. I identify strongly with them, in the same way as therians, without actually believing I am an animal.
However, I’ve seen so many definitions of otherhearted. Some people say they view their kith as “like a family member”, which I don’t feel at all. Or they feel “a strong connection” to their kith, which I feel like could be taken many different ways. Example: I connect with cheetahs… but I wouldn’t say they are what I’m feeling inside, what I feel like I “am” but not identify as. I feel like I am, but I know I am not.
Does any of that make sense? I don’t know what the right term is. And I mean no harm to therians; I love that they know who they are, I just personally don’t believe what they believe, just like how they probably don’t believe what I believe.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
~Kitanon
Apologies if this is presumptuous, but to me, it sounds like you're denying yourself your own identity due to a hangup you have about what is possible, or what is ontologically meaningful. You identify as an animal "in theory", but you don't think it's possible for you to be an animal. But why not? What is it about animality that makes you believe it falls outside the jurisdiction of your self-determination?
As gently as possible: You do not have to limit yourself in this way, soweli.
