Shifting Stories.

I'm fairly new here even if my profile is 5 years old. (Things got busy and I forgot about this website.) I have heard a lot about things like shifting, and was curious. As I have no basis for what a shift means without examples I must ask; For people who do experience them, regardless of degree, what are they like for you?

I figured it might help not only me, but others who are unsure or knew if we could get some stories about shifting. For the most information if possible I'd like to find stories of shifts people have had from small ones to large ones, and in a variety of situations.

I looked to see if another such topic exists. I am sure one probably does, but could not find it.

Here are some other threads that talk about what shifts are like:

https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-Can-you-describe-your-most-memorable-shift-as-an-alter-human
^ I even commented on this one, a while ago

https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-What-was-your-first-shift-like--23004

https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-Is-this-a-shift-animalistic-urge

https://forums.therian-guide.com/Thread-What-To-Call-This-shifting

There are many, many more but these are the more recent and informative ones. Nothing will help you more on here than learning how to use the search function efficiently


For me, I'm usually in a constant canine mentality. Human behaviours are something I have to actively think about and analyze which is exhausting. It's easier when I'm in dog form but if I'm feeling more wolfish, I prefer not to interact with others. If I'm with someone I trust or am going through strong emotions, I stop being able to keep up the human mask well which is usually what I refer to as a shift. I can act normal with effort but I'd rather not.

Shifts are tricky for me since obviously canines have different body language than humans do. I don't have a solid way to communicate without expressive ears and a tail, because facial expressions and speaking don't come naturally to me. Typing with canine emojis on discord is usually how I get through them.

How does someone know what is or isn't a shift? I guess where is the line between animalistic desires and a shift? With phantom shifts that's clear, but mental shifts seem a bit confusing.

I suppose I should give an example. It's not much because I am not confident in where the boundaries are, but the only thing I am sure is probably a shift is something that happened years ago, though I couldn't say when. But I remember the feeling of having phantom fur. It didn't last long, but for a while I felt so soft and fluffy. For things I am less sure of... Occasionally I have the desire to lay out in the sun and warm my fur, only to be slightly dissapointed. But I have never experienced any state where I wasn't aware I was human.

(2025-07-25 5:19)Mai Wrote:  How does someone know what is or isn't a shift? I guess where is the line between animalistic desires and a shift? With phantom shifts that's clear, but mental shifts seem a bit confusing.

To answer your question, i am unsure of that. I havent been able to remember what happened in the shifts. Mental shifts can be triggered by strong emotions like stress, extreme anger or saddness, or just randomly sometimes. There is a line between animalistic desires and a shift. That line is that shifts are mostly involuntary meaning they happen whenever or when someone is triggered. What do you mean by animalistic desires?
(This is just from my own experience, i dont know if im exactly right or not)

Well, for example. The other day I was feeling lonely, but that emotion expressed in a more animalistic way. I didn't want a hug, I wanted someone to headbut and nuzzle, sort of rub my head and neck with, like some cats, big of small. But I was perfectly aware of myself and my human body. I certainly remember it. I am unsure wether that was a form of weak shift, or just a typical desire expressed in an animalistic way.