What Makes You Believe /You/ Are Therian?

I do agree there is no one way to explain therianthropy. my reason would be a mix is me be neurodivergent and acting like an animal also not fitting in anywhere. I do think I was born a fox therian and the rest of my kintypes came later. I have never felt human so why would I say I am? for me it has nothing to do with Spiritual anything because thats not a thing I believe in. that's not to say those who are arent valid (they are valid 100%). my other theriotypes came from imprinting and the way I act and think. that's my take

I’m of two minds about why I’m a therian, spiritual and psychological.

I’m a heathen, and my spiritual theory is rooted in the concept of the multi-part soul. I believe that one of the components of my soul is that of lynx. Whether that means it was part of a lynx before it was part of me, or was “made” for a lynx or is just lynx-shaped, I don’t know. It may also be either rooted in or the cause of my connection to Freya, since she’s often associated with felines.

My psychological theory, which I honestly think is more likely, is that it’s rooted in my AuDHD and social anxiety, and consequent relative isolation or at least insulation from humans. I do still identify as partly human, I just don’t get along with or understand most of them. Anyway, I think that could be the root of my animality, although why a Canada lynx specifically is beyond me. I love cats now, but I was not a fan as a child. I had a bad experience with a cat when I was 5 or 6 (my fault) and was wary of them until I met my now-wife. The only reasonable justification I can think of is that maybe I just felt like an animal, and being specifically a Canada lynx was ex post facto because of how closely my personality, behaviors, and instincts align with them. I’m not sure though, for a few reasons. First, Canada lynx wouldn’t have been my first or even fifth choice, even subconsciously I believe. I even had a bit of difficulty admitting it to myself. I held on to some other potential theriotypes for far longer than I should have for honestly petty reasons, in the face of convincing evidence. When I eventually read about bobcats and Eurasian lynxes I felt a connection or kinship with them, but when I read about the Canada lynx (which I hadn’t even known existed prior) I felt something way stronger, culminating in a full mental shift. And yet it still took quite a while for me to admit it to myself. I’m sure there’s a reasonable psychological explanation for identifying as an animal that I was previously unaware of and would have preferred to not be, but I’m not aware of it.

As a side note, I have made peace with being a Canada lynx. I don’t wish to be a different animal anymore.

I always felt like I didn't fit in. Sure, with human society in general, but most importantly (to me) with my own blood relatives. I could see similarity and cohesion between my mother, father, and sister that I simply did not share. This feeling was probably my earliest expression of feeling non-human. The more I tried to fit in, the more I stood out. It reflected most in social interactions where I was "not like the others." And my only other means to cope was to escape or otherwise distance myself which led to further isolation. I'm not sure what seeded the initial feeling. But I'd say this component was psychological (nurture).

As far as my type, I'd always had a connection to wolves. It was intrinsic and otherworldly. I never had a thought of "oh this is a cool creature" nor was I exposed to any information about wolves before my fascination started. I am reminded of stories my parents would tell of how I'd be captivated for hours by wolf imagery when I was very young (younger than 6). As I grew older I began collecting such imagery, attempting to surround myself with wolves. I think still through my 20's and early 30's it felt like I just really liked wolves, and I thought nothing else of it.

In my early-mid 30's I started actively incorporating this into my public identity, via a legal name change, and declarative association (a common theme in the gay community where being called a "bear" or "otter" was once based on physical traits, now more of an identity, I insisted that I am a wolf). But as I've grown closer to wolf and look back at my life through the lens of acquired wisdom, I realize I wasn't just collecting trinkets; I was surrounding myself with animals I identified with. I'd call this component spiritual (nature).

I never had a self-discovery period. I've always felt I was just me. I was born awkwardly. I never needed to discover my therian identity, it was always expressed in some way whether I was paying attention or not.

So I guess my origin story is:
I was born feeling I don't fit in with the humans around me.

What makes me believe that I am a therian:
This mixed human/wolf identity is who I have always been.

I mostly view it from the psychological perspective, tying my 'types into neurodivergent traits (ex. animatronic due to muted emotions from autism, corvids/other birds due to imprinting, dragons related to being strong after trauma, etc.)

However, there are certain 'types that have a bit more behind them.

My Resplendent Quetzal and Golden Eagle 'types feel deeply ingrained within my being, which I relate to my heritage (Mexican)

The Resplendent Quetzal is a shy bird that lives in southern Mexico (not exactly where my family is from, but close enough) and the Golden Eagle is the literal symbol/national bird of Mexico. It's even on the flag:



Hopefully that image loaded. If it didn't, literally just google "mexican flag".

Anyway, even the Golden Eagle's name in Spanish (Águila Real) feels central to my connection with it. It's a symbol, both for myself and the country of my heritage.