What Are Therians?

Hey everyone! Welcome to my blog! Today, I’m going to talk about something really cool and kind of mysterious – therians! If you’ve never heard of therians before, don’t worry. I’m here to break it down for you in a way that’s super easy to understand. So, let's dive in!

A therian is someone who feels like they are part animal on the inside. This doesn’t mean they think they can actually turn into an animal like in the movies. Nope, therians know they are humans on the outside, but they have a special connection with a certain animal that makes them feel different inside. Therianthropy is a deeply personal experience and can differ widely among therians. Some may go through mental shifts, while others might experience phantom shifts. These varying experiences challenge the idea of a single, fixed definition of therianthropy.

Overall, trying to define therianthropy with strict rules is like trying to pin down a single style of a TikTok dance—everyone adds their own twist. It’s a personal connection to an animal identity, and just as everyone’s dance moves are unique, so are each person’s experiences with their therianthropy.

How Do Therians Feel?

Therians often feel they have the instincts, behaviors, or even the personalities of their animal. For example, a therian might feel like they have the instincts of a wolf or the grace of a deer. This doesn’t mean they act like animals all the time, but they might feel certain urges or instincts that remind them of their animal side. For some therians, it's about feeling like they're an animal inside, beyond just behaviors. When they're stressed, they might hiss or feel like they need to make animal sounds, like growling or whining.

It has been widely reported of individuals feeling the presence of invisible phantom limbs. An example to this could be the sensation of having a tail while sitting down, causing discomfort. Some therians also report feelings of "mental shifts," which alters their state of mind and deepen their connection to their animal identity. These shifts can vary in intensity, influencing their perception of the world.

It is important to mention that not experiencing shifts is also completely normal and it does not invalidate your identity.

Why Do Therians Feel This Way?

The feelings and experiences therians have are involuntary, which means they don’t choose to feel this way – it just happens! Some might feel a strong connection to an animal since they were little, while others might develop these feelings later on. It's not something they can turn on or off like a light switch. The reasons therians feel this way can vary. Some think it's because their brains work differently, while others believe it has to do with spiritual reasons or past lives. No matter the reason, these feelings happen naturally and are just part of who they are.

Different Types of Therians

Each therian connects with a different animal, which is called their "theriotype." For instance, someone might have a wolf theriotype, feeling very connected to wolves, while another might have a bird theriotype. Some therians even connect with mythical creatures like dragons or griffins!

Therians vs. Furries

A lot of people get therians mixed up with furries, but they’re not the same. Furries are people who enjoy dressing up and acting like anthropomorphic animals (animals with human traits) for fun, often wearing costumes called fursuits. Therians, on the other hand, have a deep personal identity connected to an animal. It’s more about how they feel inside rather than a hobby.

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Common Misunderstandings

1. Not a Mental Illness: Being a therian is not a mental illness or a delusion. Therians know they are human; they just feel a special connection with an animal on a deeper, sometimes spiritual level.
2. Not a Choice: Therians don’t choose to be therians. It's not like deciding to play a sport or pick up a hobby. It’s just a part of who they are. They might find walking on their toes more comfortable or feel an urge to make animal sounds. These instincts are just part of their everyday life.
3. Not About Past Lives: Some might think therians believe they were animals in a past life, but that’s not always true. It varies from person to person. Some might believe in that, while others see it differently.

How Do Therians Express Themselves?

Therians might express their animal side in different ways. Some might like to run around or make noises like their animal, but it’s not something they always show in public. It’s a personal experience, and they choose how much they want to share with others.

Additionally, therianthropy can affect daily life in diverse ways, offering both comfort and joy while also posing distinct challenges. Many therians feel isolated due to misunderstandings and sometimes face negativity or bullying. Because of this, finding a supportive community is essential for therians, as it helps them feel accepted and understood. Having a network of understanding friends can make it easier for therians to express their animal side and feel more comfortable being themselves both privately and in public.

A Bit of History

The therian community started back in the 1990s on a werewolf fan forum. People started sharing their own experiences of feeling like they had an animal side, and it grew from there. Now, there’s a whole community of people who connect over these shared experiences.

Wrapping It Up

Being a therian is all about having a unique connection to an animal on the inside. It’s a personal and special identity that makes them feel different from others. Even though they live normal human lives, they have this extra layer to their identity that’s pretty fascinating!

I hope this helps you understand what therians are all about. If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, drop a comment below! And if you’re curious to learn more, check out some videos and communities online. There’s a lot to discover!

Thanks for reading, and see you next time!