I have dreams where in bad situations or just when I'm alone I turn into an orange and white tabby cat. When I'm in that form I feel happier and just better in general and often I find myself looking forward to sleep so I can be a cat. Am I otherkin?
It seems to me like the kind of thing that happens with copingkin, which is where a person may ‘shift’ to their kintype as a means of feeling more comfortable and be able to handle a difficult situation.
Copingkin is not just for those who are mentally ill, like some think. It can actually become a good practice when someone is under a lot of stress. Therapists sometimes teach their clients to reach a ‘happy place’ when in extremely difficult situations so they can better handle them, so I wouldn’t be surprised if shifting to one’s kintype can do the same.
If you’d like, I’d suggest trying to tune in to this alternate of yourself in the waking world. Maybe you’ll be able to shift to this tabby cat when you’re in a tight spot and help yourself handle something you’d otherwise have a hard time with. Just don’t forget to remember you’re still human!
~ Feather
{{PS: Information on coping skills and copingkin is from my personal therapy sessions with my therapist.}}
