charlotteandherghost

[charlotteandherghost]

This post is probably mostly going to be rambling but I recently came across the concept of Philosophical Posthumanism. I actually think it's quite interesting so far and, while looking to know more, I came across the book Posthuman Glossary, edited by Rosi Braidotti and Maria Hlavajova.

In it, there was an entry for the word Kin written by Goda Klumbytė. And a specific part of the entry felt significant to me, and so I'd like to share it here.

Now, I do not necessarily think this was written with specifically otherkin identities in mind. In fact, the fact that Haraway's kinship here is described as a "social relationship" feels like an indication that it is specifically not otherkin identities being described here. However, I think that the idea being expressed here is applicable to certain otherkin people as well. I certainly do feel like it struck a chord with me. A huge part of posthumanism, or philosophical posthumanism at least, is that it is described at "post-dichotomy", which is to say that it seeks to go beyond dichotomies like human/inhuman, animate/inanimate, or alive/dead. (And though I have not seen it mentioned in what I've read so far, I don't think it would be contrary to the idea of posthumanism to include the real/fictional dichotomy in this.) And, even when described as a "social relationship", there is, I think, still something of identity in the idea of kinship. Even outside of otherkin identities, kinship is generally used to denote either the belonging to a same social group, especially families, or a similarity or likeness between two elements. And so, I think that, when most people recognise someone as their kin, what they recognise is something of themselves, which is to say that outside of otherkin identities, the kin is an other in which I see myself, or something of myself. Which is exactly what is being discussed here, I think, particularly with the sentence: "...by sharing [...] material intimate interconnections through complex shared histories."

I feel this is very true of my own experience. The reason I am ghostkin and dollkin is because, by looking at ghosts and dolls, I see not only myself but my own life experience, one that is radically non-human. Of course, this is only my own perception, and it will not account for a variety of other experiences. (Seeing as it is a very materialist vision, it fails to account for spiritual animism for example, and generally those for whom their nonhuman identities are spiritual in nature.) But I do think it is a very interesting way to look at identities, not consider a being as human first in general and then place their experience within that realm of humanity, making nonhuman identities outliers of sorts, but understand ourselves through our actual experience without the need to relate it to this notion of humanity

[charlotteandherghost]

Not entirely related to kinning I suppose but I learned recently that my psychiatrist will be moving in September, and as a result she will have to refer me to one of her colleagues

She told me the news two weeks ago, and I'm not sure I've fully taken it in yet. I think it may not fully dawn on me until I actually stop seeing her and start seeing someone else. Not sure how I'll react to this

I mean, she has been my psychiatrist for more than five years at this point, she has accompanied me from what was possibly the lowest point in my life to the person I am today. And I told her a lot about myself, as I came to realise a lot of things. And of course, she knows about me being otherkin. I actually took the time to explain to her what being otherkin was, what it meant for me, how it reflected in my experience, and she listened and did not invalidate anything I said. She's genuinely so important to me. I think that outside of one or two friends, there is no one who knows me more than her. She helped me so much and is so accepting of who I am, wholly and unconditionally

I genuinely kind of fear going to this new psychiatrist. I think it's going to take a lot of time to build a similar level of trust, and a lot of time to kind of explain a lot of what is going on in my life and identity, including my kintypes. I think my current psychiatrist will probably take into consideration what she knows about me when referring me, and will probably choose someone who she trusts to listen to me and be understanding and accepting, but I'm still very apprehensive. Not to mention really sad

[charlotteandherghost]

I'm not really sure which kind of original content I would like to create for this blog. Obviously I would like to keep it focused on my kintypes. My first instinct would be to go towards art, though what I draw typically serves as escapism for me, and would not necessarily make sense here. I think I would like to maybe write about some positive things, write about all the things I would need to hear myself from someone else, so that whoever stumbles here, given they struggle in a similar way, might feel at least a bit comforted and not as alone.

In the meantime, maybe I'll just reblog posts that I relate to and such

[charlotteandherghost]

Who the hell is Charlotte anyway?

So, here we are. Introductions.

Hi all! You can call me Charlotte! I use it/its and she/her pronouns!

I am otherkin, more specifically ghostkin, dollkin and fictionkin. This honestly feels both so strange and so right to finally admit that.

I have been struggling with feelings of non-humanity for at least close to ten years now, at least that is how far I can remember understanding that I was not actually a human person currently.

I have, however, only started to open up to a select few people around me very recently. This is not at all something I feel comfortable being vulnerable about with the people currently in my life, for a number of reasons. The conclusion I have come to, however, is that me being in denial of my kintypes and acting like they are not a constitutive part of who I am is not going to make them go away, or living with them any easier. I have obviously done a lot of research on what being otherkin means over the last ten years, as well as doing a lot of self-reflection trying to figure myself out and what, as I would have put it at the time, was "wrong with me". But this is the first time in my life I actually feel confident and safe enough to fully embrace who I am.

So, here I am, taking a step into the unknown and coming clean about being otherkin.

As far as being fictionkin, my two primary kins are Asuka Langley Soryu from Neon Genesis Evangelion and Usagi Tsukino from Sailor Moon. I should also add that I am more than fine with doubles interacting!

Some other little facts about me: I am a musician, and I draw fanart as well! I am a huge fan of Magical Girl shows, Horror RPG Maker games, and patisserie! I am a native english speaker, but learned to speak french as well, and am now almost fluent!

I have been professionally diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. Of you are curious about my diagnosis, or how it intersects with being otherkin, feel free to ask me any question that might come to mind, though I will only ask of you to remain respectful, courteous and kind!

Finally, I am above the age of 18, and I do feel very uncomfortable with minors interacting with my posts or my blog in any way. As such, I will ask you to not interact with me if you are a minor.

Take care of yourselves and each other!