Other-Hearted Identity as a Chosen Coping Mechanism

[jabberwocky]

We all should be in agreement that otherkin identity is not chosen, but other-hearted identity certainly can be. For those of us who experience our identities as a voluntary coping mechanism, how does it help you cope?

Personally, while I feel my crow-heartedness is spiritual, it's still very much something that helps me cope because I see crows as my kith and they've always been an aid to me in various ways. I see them as good omens and guides and it gives me a sense that I have helpers in my life.

[LoporiConteh]

Hmmm, good question. I don't feel that my other heartedness started as a conscious thing at all, they just happened. One day I just saw a vid of a bonobo and was like ASDFGHJKL WHERE U BEEN ALL MY LIFE.
And I have no clue how the mermaid thing started, that was in very early childhood.

But, what I can say was chosen with some degree of deliberation, was using the mermaids as a motivation to teach myself how to swim, I never could swim properly until my mid teens. And I could actually shift (I know that's a kin thing but hear me out) but they were never full or satisfying shifts, but when I could swim, I could be the mermaid.

And the use of apes as something of an anxiety calmer, a daemon, something I can use to make sense of my own little world. I have always been very trusting, open (too open) and what have yous with people, which is a very bonobo thing to do. And I was sexually precocious growing up, and was taught to believe that was a thing to supress. And my twisted little brain can take those so-called flaws and make them into the all too natural strengths of "Lopori". When friends call me names like "lopori" or "bonobo" or even "bono" for short, it feels so darn good, the best compliment I could ever get. I have even had ape therians call me an honorary ape/bonobo, that meant a lot.

[Eri28]

I personally feel that if it weren't for my kith (if I'm using that correctly) I would not be inspired to live life as I do today. All of my kithtypes have something that I can admire and aspire to develop in myself, while still having the flaws and common traits that every single being has. If it makes any sense, seeing the value of my kithtypes helped me see the value and potential in myself.

So, yeah, it's nice to escape from my problems and keep my mind on my kithtypes, but they ultimately help me in this physical world... and I should mention that I never feel alone anymore.

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