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New Thread: Feeling Animalistic
It's not a topic I talk about often, mainly because I get regarded as overworked everytime I brave to bring it up to my coworkers, but that only makes me question if it's really so strange to feel this way.
To put it short: When I'm out on watch duty, witnessing animals in their natural habitat, I often want to join. It's hardly a conscious thought, just an urge to get on all four and prance along. When I'm in town as well, I keep thinking how I'd rather be back at the savannah with the herd.
Anyone else can relate? What do you usually do to relieve the feeling?
@zk237
RE: Feeling Animalistic
I feel similarly about the woodlands, during the winter I keep yearning for the greenery and warmth of the hidden groves. It's gotten less distracting nowadays, after I moved out of the urban area and can sate the desire whenever I please, but as said, winters are a particularly tough season.
>> What do you usually do to relieve the feeling?
Other than going out into the wild, I'd advise bringing a piece of nature to your home as well. Growing plants or decorating your den to fit your desired habitat for example!
Mind if I ask, does this yearning ever manifest physically?
>> I get regarded as overworked everytime I brave to bring it up to my coworkers, but that only makes me wonder if it's really so strange to feel this way.
Definitely not strange, though I agree to say that I rarely get to speak to others with these experiences, so it doesn't surprise me that your coworkers react this way.
@foxglove89
RE: Feeling Animalistic
Hi Foxglove, thank you for your response.
>> It's gotten less distracting nowadays, after I moved out of the urban area and can sate the desire whenever I please, but as said, winters are a particularly tough season.
Now that you're mentioning, I don't remember if I had these urges before I moved to the rescue, it was mostly a deep fascination and a lot of enthusiasm. I live by my job now, only leaving the station for errands or when my family visits and wants to see the city, yet it hardly feels like close enough. Would it not be dangerous, I would even sleep outdoors.
As a child, I happily spent time outdoors, but I was just as content at the library reading up on giraffes as I was running around. Possibly because it was too unattainable to experience the wilderness first hand this intimately, or maybe this itch was always present, and it only now stands out after the many years of stationary academia.
>> Mind if I ask, does this yearning ever manifest physically?
Sorry, this question confuses me. The yearning is often accompanied by physical warmth or tingling, similar to when you're itching to do something impulsive, but is that what you meant by physical?
@zk237
RE: Feeling Animalistic
This is maybe a little different from your original question, but as I read through the rest of the thread I decided to pitch in either way.
My hometown, in which I spent over a decade in, was demolished a few years ago to make room for some factory or highway. I had to move to the city, and it's not that I yearn for nature specifically, but the city culture irks me so much even years later, especially all the noise and artificial light... All that connects me to the old place are my grandma's journals where she documented her life and local herbological practices, reading them makes me feel like I'm still out there.
@elizabat
RE: Feeling Animalistic
If you want, I can recommend you some books on meditation and connecting with nature. They're on the spiritual side, but I was surprised to find how much wisdom ancient practices can hold. Often when compared to our modern knowledge of psychology, they tend to describe the same notions with simpler words and a much down-to-earth confidence.
>> As a child, I happily spent time outdoors, but I was just as content at the library reading up on giraffes as I was running around. Possibly because it was too unattainable to experience the wilderness first hand this intimately, or maybe this itch was always present, and it only now stands out after the many years of stationary academia.
There are so many feelings I'm rediscovering after leaving the academia for good. Respect to the people who thrive in such conditions, but to me it's too much arbitrary formality over creative curiosity, and way too much time spent at the desk. Seeing that you're a Vet, your dedication is all the more impressive to me.
>> Sorry, this question confuses me. The yearning is often accompanied by physical warmth or tingling, similar to when you're itching to do something impulsive, but is that what you meant by physical?
My bad, I should have phrased that better! Yes, that's what I was wondering, whether this is more akin to just daydreams or an actual instinct. My experience also involves that tingling.
@foxglove89
RE: Feeling Animalistic
Hi Elizabat, thank you for your response. I'm sorry to hear about your home, habitat destruction is always tragic, and not many people realize that also includes rural settlements. They're part of the ecosystem all the same, unlike the brutal modern infrastructure that often replaces them.
In terms of journals, I have my own, but reading them only makes the longing louder.
@zk237
RE: Feeling Animalistic
>> If you want, I can recommend you some books on meditation and connecting with nature.
I would appreciate that, thank you. There's only so much I can read about my work, and I think my coworkers will find it refreshing to see me researching a different topic for once :)
>> Seeing that you're a Vet, your dedication is all the more impressive to me.
Blind passion carries you long ways, I learned.
@zk237