Is it okay to use kinning as a coping mechanism?

sexual-abuse-survivor-support:

Uhh I’m not exactly sure what that is? I tried looking it up but didn’t really find a definitive answer.

Anyone know?

I was linked here, so let me explain. Firstly, no. Otherkinity is an involuntary thing. That’s like saying “can I use paganism as a coping mechanism?” It’s super disrespectful.

However, you can make copinglinks. Copinglinking, a term coined by @/who-is-page, is when you voluntary choose a nonhuman or fictionally-sourced identity on a nonphysical level in order to cope with something. You identify as the thing to deal with something.

Otherkinity, however, is when you identify partially or entirely as a nonhuman (and/or fictional in the case of fictionkind) entity on a nonphysical and involuntary level. You do not choose your kintypes, you don’t “kin” things (it’s who we are, not something we do). 

There is misinformation rampant on tumblr that says you can. These people are wrong, undoubtedly so. Otherkinity is a 50+ year old (documented) community, and the ideals and beliefs go back millennia. If you want to know more about it, you can ask me, but no, you cannot use an involuntary thing as a voluntary coping mechanism. The term copinglink was made for a reason. Please use it, it will help you far more.