I appreciate the insight into what furry means to you. It's very informative to know not only what people like, but why they like it.
I know you're only speaking for yourself in this post. That being said, it seems that your perspective is not unique among furries...and mine is.
My "alfurnate" (what I refer to my fursona as) was not created by my hand (or paw), but came to me in a dream when I was 7 years old. However, it wasn't something I shared with anyone growing up. Even when I attended a new school district at age 9--and was treated differently than at my old school--the character stayed in my thoughts.
So I spent most of my elementary years trying to be like all the other kids. However, it wasn't until my senior year, when I finally decided to just be myself...that the other kids accepted me as myself. Even without graduating on time (I had to retake an English class over the summer), it was the best year of school, paws down.
You say "we project and interact based upon that character." I think I've been more subjected to others' projecting their assumptions about my alfurnate on me, and then I don't understand why they interact with me in such a way.
I think this is why I find myself less and less fascinated with fursuiting: I am expected to "perform," to be someone different with the suit on, someone supposedly better than myself. But, what if I am happy with who I am already? I mean, I've made people happy before just by being myself. Admittedly, there have been a few instances where my desire to keep being myself in fursuit has put me at odds with other, more "popular" fursuiters. And when I ask why a personality change must accompany a costume change, my question often goes unanswered, gets dismissed...or makes the other fursuiter get defensive.
Don't get me wrong--I still plan on getting a fullsuit. But I want people to know that I'll still be the same person, in or out of fursuit. And that's how I feel about you, Spotti--no matter what you're wearing, you're still the same friend to me. *pet-pets* [=
I know we've both grown up in different times, and I know everyone has their own reasons for being in the furry fandom. But, like I said in the beginning, what you want get from furries (and fursuiting) sounds similar to what other furries want. And maybe the reason why I feel like I can't relate to others...is that I don't want what they want.
Or, maybe not. I don't know. It's late, and I should get to bed. But thank you again for sharing, Spotti. *hugs*
Your post is very much appreciated, and heard... it really shows the breadth of personal experience, and also helps me understand how you work.
I do understand the feeling of feeling different from others... so your post feels very familiar, even if the reasons and the path were very different than my own.
I know you're only speaking for yourself in this post. That being said, it seems that your perspective is not unique among furries...and mine is.
My "alfurnate" (what I refer to my fursona as) was not created by my hand (or paw), but came to me in a dream when I was 7 years old. However, it wasn't something I shared with anyone growing up. Even when I attended a new school district at age 9--and was treated differently than at my old school--the character stayed in my thoughts.
So I spent most of my elementary years trying to be like all the other kids. However, it wasn't until my senior year, when I finally decided to just be myself...that the other kids accepted me as myself. Even without graduating on time (I had to retake an English class over the summer), it was the best year of school, paws down.
You say "we project and interact based upon that character." I think I've been more subjected to others' projecting their assumptions about my alfurnate on me, and then I don't understand why they interact with me in such a way.
I think this is why I find myself less and less fascinated with fursuiting: I am expected to "perform," to be someone different with the suit on, someone supposedly better than myself. But, what if I am happy with who I am already? I mean, I've made people happy before just by being myself. Admittedly, there have been a few instances where my desire to keep being myself in fursuit has put me at odds with other, more "popular" fursuiters. And when I ask why a personality change must accompany a costume change, my question often goes unanswered, gets dismissed...or makes the other fursuiter get defensive.
Don't get me wrong--I still plan on getting a fullsuit. But I want people to know that I'll still be the same person, in or out of fursuit. And that's how I feel about you, Spotti--no matter what you're wearing, you're still the same friend to me. *pet-pets* [=
I know we've both grown up in different times, and I know everyone has their own reasons for being in the furry fandom. But, like I said in the beginning, what you want get from furries (and fursuiting) sounds similar to what other furries want. And maybe the reason why I feel like I can't relate to others...is that I don't want what they want.
Or, maybe not. I don't know. It's late, and I should get to bed. But thank you again for sharing, Spotti. *hugs*
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I do understand the feeling of feeling different from others... so your post feels very familiar, even if the reasons and the path were very different than my own.
Thank you for sharing this.
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