Discover Top Posts Tagged with #physically winged nonhuman

relieving wing related dysphoria

something that I see many winged folks experience, including myself, is wing related dysphoria. more specifically, dysphoria relating to not being able to fly or not having wings physically. all my life this is a struggle I've dealt with, and I understand how painful it is. there are ways to relieve it though! here's some things that I've come up with and suggest to those who are struggling:

create mood boards, wallpapers, stim boards, and pinterest boards relating to the sky, your wings, theriotype, shifted form, etc

dive into media that has winged people/creatures (maximum ride, the maleficent movies, the croaking, just to name a few)

play games that let you fly, either with or without wings. bonus points if you're able to do it in VR (roblox, minecraft, feralheart, aer memories of old, superflight, fugl, etc)

practice lucid dreaming or astral projection

blankets!! especially weighted blankets, this can mimic the feeling of having wings

create or buy cosplay wings that look like your own (either typical cosplay wings worn with a harness/straps, or a backpack with wings, or a shawl in the shape of wings)

wear the colors of your wings, theriotype or shifted form

surround yourself with wing related themes or themes related to your theriotype or shifted form (buttons, pins, stickers, doodles, plushies, etc)

wear wing related accessories (rings, necklaces, hair pins, wings you can put on the laces of your shoes, etc)

if you're able to, get wings tattooed on your back or get a tattoo related to your theriotype or shifted form

if you're able to, participate in sky/air related sports or activities (skydiving, wingsuit flying, paragliding, hang gliding, etc)

draw/doodle your wings, theriotype or shifted form!!

meditate and visualize your wings. feel their weight, see their colors and textures, etc.

connect and talk to others who have wings if you need support and are looking for folks who have had similar experiences

carry around a backpack and make sure to give it some weight! having a backpack of a similar weight to my phantom wings tends to make my phantom wings go away, if you're looking to stop your phantom wings from existing for a bit for any reason

collect feathers that look like yours if you have feathered wings

connect with nature! this helps ground me and feel more connected to my natural self. I suggest going outside on a windy day or climbing trees.

stick your head/arms out of the car when you're going somewhere! this is one of my favorite things to do and it mimics what I imagine flying to feel like (pro tip, don't do this if you're driving)

make your room feel like the environment you belong in (using nature or wind ambient sounds, fans to get air flowing, that sort of thing)

watch flying POV videos

I'm sure there are more things that I could add, but I think that this is all my brain can think of at the moment. feel free to add onto the list if there's anything else that any of you want to add if I missed anything!

question!

a question for my fellow physical shifters, nonhumans, and other similarly flavored creatures out there! what kind of content would you like to see more in our communities? what do you think needs to be said or touched upon more, or what stories need to be told of forgotten times or individuals? (amongst other things in a similar regard that need to be talked about, or just things you want to see more of!)

I see a lot of posts saying to make the content you'd like to see if it doesn't already exist, so I'd like to push some stuff out there that you think is important or interesting! I'm never really sure what types of new things to talk about on this blog anyways :P

my thoughts on "physical nonhumans/therians"

before I begin this rant, I just want to say that I am also physically nonhuman. to my very blood and to my bones, I am anything but human. I was born to shapeshift and have my body undergo changes that align with a nonhuman figure. I also am open minded to a lot of different experiences and identities, and this post is no way any shape or form of discrimination or putting anyone down. this post is just for critique on some things that I think should be said.

(i feel like i've also made posts like this one before so excuse any repetition, i struggle with memory loss.)

as someone who is physically nonhuman, it's been very frustrating seeing the term getting sugarcoated and taken away from its origins. I understand that these folks are using it in a way that describes their experience as "mentally/spiritually i identify as this thing, therefore this is the body of that species". and I'm not here to take that away from them. everyone deserves to feel empowered and comfortable with themselves! but we exist in spaces filled with misinformation, especially when it comes to phantom shifts in these newer "physical" nonhuman places. phantom shifts have always meant that certain areas of your bodily energy have changed in a non-visible way according to your species, and that physical shifts have meant that you are changing physically in your body into your species as a nonhuman. i know there's been some individuals trying to change it up, though i dont know if the mix up between these terms is intentional or not (ex: saying that phantom shifts are actually physical shifts because you are able to feel your body/parts of your body changing when having phantom shifts.)

I don't really know how this new wave of individuals trying to reclaim physical nonhuman terms as their own genuinely thinks about real, bodily shapeshifters/physical shifters, weres, or other related nonhuman groups and species, or accepts them. to me, though the mix up of terms and sugarcoating is irritating amongst some other things, i'm hoping that these "physical nonhumans" or "physical therians/alterhumans" (etc) groups could eventually lead to the overall integration or acceptance of physical shifters and the overall modern nonhuman/therian communities, seeing as a select few past individuals in our groups have done significant damage to the reputation and trust in true shapeshifters. after all, a good part of what is now the modern therian community used to be full of shapeshifters/weres in the 90s and 2000s, some still using the term "therian" to describe were-shifter experiences in the early 2010s too! so I think asides from physical and some historical/cultural differences, we aren't that much different from each other. at least back then we weren't.

i think that the "physical therians/nonhumans" of the modern age currently could, and probably should, use a clearer way to distinguish themselves from true shapeshifters and nonhumans that have physical, outwardly bodily changes and experiences to steer away from creating more misinformation for either side. it's very misleading and disheartening trying to find information on physical nonhumanity when all that's usually publicly available these days is information regarding the newer "physical therian" communities. i wouldn't say it's a bad thing, but it's not really good either. asides from the hope that i have for community integration, i fear that this issue and other issues arising from the newer communities and labels could cause some more clashing amongst p-shifters and those using our terms to describe their experiences when they aren't physical shifters.

perhaps just because they aren't physical shifters, it doesn't mean that their experiences with their bodies or how they perceive their physical experiences aren't just as valid as someone who's body truly changes as a p-shifter. but the true nature of physical nonhuman terms/language came from shapeshifter experiences first and as someone who has been heavily involved in these spaces for a while and has come to terms with myself as a physical winged werebeast, i think some more credit could be taken away from the p-shifter community and culture when it comes to modern physical nonhumans and shifters of today, and that our history should be respected like anyone else's.

tldr: misinformation is bad and im frustrated but everyones experiences are valid at the end of the day and im just hoping this is the beginning of the overall different nonhuman communities coming together again but im worried about communities clashing despite my hopes for the future. also history/culture needs to be credited more when it comes to pshifters and our language.

bit of a rant

TW: mentions of cults/toxic behavior

the biggest thing that I see when folks bring up physical shifters/nonhumans/mythicals are cults or toxic people/behavior. yes, there will be the few that are shitty individuals or people that hurt/traumatize others. but I think that people fail to see that in or outside of this community, those shitty people exist anyways. in fandoms, clubs, groups, out on the street, etc. the demonization of individuals who are physically nonhuman is extremely harmful and unnecessary. the real problem is the individuals who actively hurt others, not the community as a whole. you take multiple bad experiences and cast it over the entire community, how is that acceptable or fair? why do you fail to see the bigger picture, the entirety of us? isn't it easier to be open minded, to realize that there will be horrible people all over in the world and not just within pshifter spaces? and yet you decide to focus and target us.

you don't have to like us, you don't have to understand us, but we were standing beside what we now know as modern therians and otherkin years ago (those who don't believe in being physically nonhuman). we were a part of therian and otherkin groups regularly. we were a part of your spaces, and I'll never let you forget it. you don't have to like us, but that doesn't give you the right to demonize or erase us.

this is why learning about history is important, this is why being able to archive things is important, this is a part of why I've made it my own personal job to make a timeline and collect information geared towards physical nonhumanity; so that we may never be erased. your hatred will never erase us, and you'll never silence our voices as long as we live.

lower energy ways to connect with your nonhuman self

it's amazing that as nonhumans, we have a lot of different ways to express ourselves and to feel connected to our theriotypes, kintypes, species, etc. as mental health is a big struggle for myself and I am sure for many of you too, sometimes it's not possible to feel fully energized for any sort of reason, and sometimes this can lead to feelings of disconnect between you and your species, or not being able to fully participate in things that you normally would do to feel nonhuman. hopefully my tips will resonate with those in need of a little bit of help during these hard times!

p.s. - I hear you and I see you, all of you who are struggling, or know someone who is. I know it's not easy some days, and sometimes mental health leaves us feeling lonely. on top of being nonhuman, the loneliness can feel increased. never be afraid to reach out to someone you trust if you need to!

step outside on a nice day if possible. you don't have to walk far or go anywhere, just connect with nature even if it's for a few minutes

if you can't or don't want to go outside, listen to nature/ambient sounds that relax you or remind you of your species or habitat

take a nap/go to sleep in the way that feels most natural to you. do you curl up, have heavy wings that wrap around you as you lay down, need to find a position that feels right because of your horns or spikes? do you need to make a nest or den out of blankets or pillows or stuffed animals? do what feels right to get cozy!

listen to music, something that comforts you as well as makes you feel connected to your species

if it's possible, find or make meals/snacks that comfort you or make you feel more connected to your species. don't feel like eating or don't have the energy to? try to find something to drink instead!

watch youtube or documentaries relating to your species, and make a playlist out of the videos you like the most

feeling creative, but just not quite enough to go through with creating something on your own? decorate something you own with stickers to help remind you of yourself or your habitat (water bottle, journal, sketchbook, laptop, phone case, mobility aids, etc)

if you do have a bit of energy to doodle, try doodling things that make you the happiest when it comes to your nonhuman experience! bonus points if it's on yourself (with safe inks ofc)

casually daydream about yourself as your true nonhuman self in your habitat throughout your day

if you're feeling lonely (for nonhuman reasons or not), try talking to someone you trust or try reaching out to nonhuman groups that are willing to help support you and listen to you

if you're feeling up to it, put together an outfit that reminds you of your nonhuman self. you don't necessarily have to wear it, it can be clothes you have personally that you can lay out for later or you can make a pinterest board with things you'd think would help make you feel connected to yourself ^^

do you have gear that you wear but forgot about, put away, or havent worn in a while? bring it back out and wear it! take pictures of yourself or look at yourself in a mirror and try to think about what makes you the happiest when it comes to being nonhuman, a happy memory regarding your nonhumanity or when you wore your gear, etc.

if it's possible, take a bath. it doesn't have to be a full shower, just a simple bubble bath and light some candles that remind you of the outdoors or your nonhuman self. when you're done, give yourself a good little shake to dry off, if that's something you do or brings you joy! bonus points if you get out of the bath and think "man my fur/scales/feathers/wings/tail(s) etc feel heavier after being in the water"

..and if those tips don't resonate with you, or are feeling completely drained, it's okay to just exist. feeling disconnected to yourself is one hell of a pain to deal with, and I know it's hard to feel connected to yourself again when the darkness passes sometimes. sometimes, at least for me, feeling connected to my nonhumanity comes and goes, and sometimes it's mental health related and other times it's not. when these hard times come, and when the feelings of being drained hit hard, it's okay to take a step back from everything and relax and get the help you need. you will find the strength to feel connected to yourself again. always remember that life is never fully stuck in one place and that we are always constantly moving and changing, even if it doesn't feel like it. 💙

blog thoughts

currently wishing there were more shops and businesses online that were ran by pshifters and physical nonhumans that also cater towards other fellow pshifters and physical nonhumans.. (if i had the resources, i would be filling in this gap that i see).

sure there's a ton of otherkin, therian, alterhuman and other types of nonhuman related products/businesses out there for sure that you can support, and im really grateful for those folks! i just wish that i could see pshifter symbols and flags out there too.

in my mind i struggle between wanting to make my own pshifter representation pins and patches but then realizing that people would ask about what it meant and then having to expose myself to people that dont understand. it's hard when being seen as a therian is already hard but then putting the physicalness or shapeshiftyness on top of nonhuman identities such as my own is deemed as controversial and misunderstood (for some reason) when all i want to do is be myself and make art out of it all and see representation for a community that means a lot to me.

is it just me? anyone else have similar thoughts too?

it's me :')

this piece makes me very euphoric, ive been wanting to draw a more realistic version of what i envision myself to look like, and i finally did it. it was a lot of fun and it's very experimental, but i can finally show myself to the world in a clearer way. 💙✨

to my fellow nonhumans, you know it's okay to express yourself, right?

I understand how scary it is to be yourself in a world that condemns anyone that is considered different. I understand that it may be for the best to hide away, even life saving for some. and I see you all who are struggling with these experiences and these pains of being unable to express who you are.

there are folks who will not like you no matter what you do, how nice you are, etc. it sucks, but they will not go away. the good news? you're not going away either. chances are that you are probably so much stronger than the negativity that is out there, and never forget it.

regardless if you can express yourself outwardly or not, it's always good to embrace your identity or identities. i go about my days thinking to myself "oh wow, there's a werewolf/avian/creature amongst the regular humans.. and it's me!" as a way to show myself self love in a unique way. it also feels reassuring and affirming to be in touch with my nonhumanity on a daily basis even if i don't outwardly appear nonhuman.

never forget where you come from or what/who you are. you deserve to exist too, and that is a beautiful thing.