#phantom shift

[fellow-queer-birdguy]

Had a really intense phantom shift today!!

I haven't had one of my bohemian Shepherd type been so intense in a while so this was very nice and euphoric, the way I could feel my long muzzle, my teeth, my tongue, my long fluffy fur and my ears. My whole head and neck were different, it felt more like me.

Literally what I look like ↑

[sillywolfdogwro3m]

THERIAN TERMS!! +other non-human terms

Therian: Someone that identifies as an animal on a non-physical level.

Theriotype: The animal that a therian identifies as.

Otherkin: Someone that identifies as a non-earthen being. (non-physical)

Species dysphoria: Feeling dis-comfort with being human.

Alterhuman: Feeling non-human.

Poly therian: Having multiple theriotypes.

Mental shifts: Having the mindset of your theriotype.

Phantom shifts: Feeling an animal limb that isn't there.

Con therian: A therian that doesn't experience shifts.

Sun theiran: A therian that is constantly shifting.

Cladotherian: Not having a specific theriotype.

(ex: Canine instead of wolf)

Hope this is helpful and insightful 💗💗 :3

[calmlyy-chaotiic]

i have.

the ears.

of the floppy variety.

i can feel them flop around when i shake my head.

woof.

[thefieldscry]

i was standing up and then i suddenly got scared 💀 here was my thought process:

"wait why am i standing. im supposed to be walking on my legs with my paws- WHERE THE FUCK ARE MY PAWS"

we love phantom shifts

[therianterritory]

People with PLS find the use of "phantom limbs" by the alterhuman community offensive

NOTE: This is a repost of an ealier post with more of an own-opinion/giving people with PLS a voice-approach rather than a community announcement, after having received critique from it that I agree with. I am completely fine with people having different opinions on this.

I might make a video about this in the future, but I'd like to make you all aware of a statement I've received from people with PLS.

The use of the medical term "phantom limbs" is heavily tied to Phantom Limb Syndrome (PLS) which is a medical condition that affects amputees and those born with congenital differences in anatomy. It can be similar but is said to be vastly different from what otherkin and therians experience during phantom shifts. People experiencing PLS and the like have made it known that comparing phantom shifts to the actual loss of a limb or PLS is offensive, so I am of the belief that this should not be done again. I personally recommend using the words phantom shifts, parts or appendages, or specify that appendages such as phantom paws, wings, tails, etc. instead.

I personally take responsibility for having made this comparison in the past, and I'd like to apologize to people who experience PLS or have lost a limb for doing so. It was not my place to make this comparison, as I cannot know what the experiences is actually like.

I urge everyone who may own an Alterhuman platform (whether that be a Discord server or social media platform), and who agree with this statement, to spread the word about this. You are free to use part of this text to explain things.

[obstructed-birdsong]

Old sketches from 2021 detailing the patchy nature of phantom shifts

[fox4brains]

canine kin culture is getting phantom muzzle and smelling around you, getting confused why your nose and the cold air is so close to the rest of your face :(

[your-pal-nebula]

Peacock therian culture is hating crowded hallways because everyone is constantly running into my feathers and it doesn't hurt me but it's still annoying and I have to repress the urge to squawk at everyone who does it

[cyber-therian]

designed my own chart because im physically nonhuman and dont feel represented by the current chart!

template is here for anyone who wants it; edit at your leisure but please keep credit :]

here is the stock image that the base is made from!

[wanderingcritter]

The whole idea that forcing shifts is bad and something you shouldn't do really irks me ngl. Like yeah, if you're using it as a way to determine kintypes that's definitely not the best route to go down, but with already confirmed kintypes idk what everyone's issue is. Personally, I don't get shifts of any kind too often, so by forcing them, specifically in the case of phantom shifts, I'm able to relieve some of my species dysphoria that I may not otherwise have an outlet for. If anything, I think actively trying to get yourself to shift rather than passively waiting for one to happen (not that there's anything wrong with that) is further proof of your desire to be connected to your nonhumanity.

[fluffywolfboyy]

Just got a really intense phantom tail like dudeeee im trying to do my homework 😭😭

[canidbrained]

This piece is meant to show how I feel/see myself most of the time. Though I do have shifts where I feel exclusively like one of my types (mental, phantom, envisage, what have you) often in my day to day I feel like an amalgam of a few or all of them smooshed together, with the percentages of each type fluctuating around. This piece captures the feeling of when I am a mesh of coyote, karst shepherd, and werewolf!

[petbrain]

wore my tail today for 6 hours straight and now im stuck in a permanent phantom shift. screaming

[a-dog-with-different-paws]

Phantom shifts are one of the most uncomfortable but euphoric experiences

Like, I can't sit the way I want because my tails in the way

But, I HAVE EARS AND A TAIL

Also loud noises sucked

BUT I HAVE EARS AND A TAIL

[draconic-overlord]

Lots of phantom wings today. I need to biiiiig stretch.

[fox4brains]

i am not a girl!! i am not a boy!! im not nonbinary!!! im not human!!!!!!!! i am a ominous genderless shadow figure standing in the corner of your room. you're too scared to give a single shit about my gender. i am outside of silly human concepts that are only there as an attempt to force me into a box of what you think i am. i am not.