Critter Headspace?

Critter Headspace
1. What is headspace?
2. What are the benefits of headspace?
3. How do we get into headspace?
4. Communication in headspace or communicate with someone in head space.
5. Maintaining head space and a safe environment for headspace.
6. Dangers of headspace.



What is headspace?
- Headspace is a mental state we put ourselves in, it is almost like a trance or form of meditation. Headspace allows us to imbody what it’s like to think and therefore act like our critter selves.
- This makes headspace different for everyone in unique ways, such as cats don't act like dogs, but at the same time not all dogs act the same. This is one of the things that make headspace completely subjective to each player. Dogs bark, cats meow, ponies neigh, etc....
- Headspace is different for everyone, and everyone has different levels of headspace.
: some players go deep in their headspace and may even need time to recover from it, others can snap in and out of headspace like it’s a light switch, and some of us just seem like we're always in headspace as parts of it are ingrained in our personality.
- For me headspace is freedom, it allows my mind to let go and truly relax. Nothing matters in head space other than where can I get belly rubs, and who has my toy.
(ask for other examples from audience.)

What are the benefits of headspace?
- Benefits of headspace are numerous and mainly have to do with our mental health. Headspace can allow us to express things that our normal mind set won’t allow and allows us to open up to new experiences.
- Headspace helps some of us reduce our anxiety levels. Headspace is a relaxing activity that is very beneficial to mental health.
: critters don’t pay taxes, have jobs, or deal with worldly drama. Critters don’t have to worry about these things.
- If your neurodivergent in some way, headspace can help you slow your mind down, or just free into your ADHD and let it go nuts for a while because it feels better then trying to hold it back.
- Headspace can help us communicate better, when you have social anxiety headspace gives a way to communicate in a way that you feel comfortable with. We may not always understand you, but you still communicated and that makes the next communication easier.
- The right headspace can make all the difference when truly enjoying anything in our lifestyle and can make or break a scene.

How to get into headspace?
- This is subjective to every player individually. Not all players get into headspace the same way.
- For some getting into headspace can take a long time, or can be super-fast.
- Some of the main ways players get into headspace are.
1. Putting on gear: putting on gear like a hood or tail can really accelerate some players into headspace
2. Assuming the position: getting in a certain position accustom to your critter can also help you get into headspace, by imbodying your critter as it were.
3. Verbal commands: some players don’t need anything other than to be call a “good puppy” and pat on the head, immediately in head space and wagging a tail that’s not there.
- Some players have a hard time getting into headspace, this can be caused due to the environment or simply feeling unsafe.
- It's important to remember that getting into headspace is about trust, it's about trusting the other critters or people in the environment around you, it’s about trusting that you're safe in your current environment. But most of all, it's about trusting your self in headspace.

Communication in headspace or communicate with someone in head space.
- Communication in headspace can be tricky and fun at the same time.
- Communication with a player in headspace can be different for everyone, some may still speak like normal, or with broken speech.
- Other players will bark and growl, or meow and neigh, etc...
- Some players are silent and rely on body language and crude sign language.
- Never approach an unknown player in headspace, they should be treated like any other unknown wild animal, with caution.
- When trying to interact with an unknown player in headspace, look in their direction and simply hold out your hand to show them you wish to interact, they will decide to approach you or not. Never pursue a player who has refused to interact with you, no means no in every language.
- If trying to interact with a player in headspace while you are also in headspace, it's just as easy as it out of headspace. Simply make eye contact and gesture that you want to play, the other player will react the way they choose to, just remember even in headspace consent is still consent and no will always mean no.
- Consent should be a universally understood communication, no means no in any language I choose to say it.
1. Shaking your head
2. Holding up a paw to block an interaction.
3. Growling
4. Backing away

- As a player in headspace communicating can be frustrating especially when no one understands you. It's important to be patient with whoever you're trying to communicate with.
- When communicating with someone who is in headspace, it's important to first be patient with them.
- If they are communicating nonverbally, it may be a good idea to offer options for them, normally when you say what they want you can get a nod, and it should be easy to think of a basic list of things your critter may need.
1. Water
2. Food
3. Their toy
4. Help with gear adjustment
5. To be taken to a safe space
6. A consent violation

Maintaining headspace and a safe environment for headspace.
- Maintaining headspace can be just as hard or easy as getting into headspace. For some of us, it takes a few minutes and others do it rather fast.
- Normally when headspace is broken it is caused by something in the environment around the player. This can be several things such as:
1. Loud noises, like some bio pets, pet players can also be startled by loud noises.
2. Being hurt, an injury or pain in any fashion can be a quick way for someone to drop headspace, for others it may cause a headspace-based reaction, and someone is going to get bit.
3. Key words, some players can train their minds to snap out of headspace by their handler using key words.
- These things that can break headspace are important to keep in mind while trying to maintain a safe environment for players to be in headspace.
- Some players use gear to maintain headspace, such as collars. It goes on for headspace and when it comes off it allows them to come out of headspace. For others, it could be their tail, the feeling of it wagging can easily make you feel truly like your critter self.
- Some players use other players to maintain their headspace, such as a handler or dominant. This gives them a personal safe space and allows them to experience their headspace without worry.
- Keeping a safe environment for players to enter headspace is also important. This normally consist of:
1. A designated space separated and padded with mats normally.
2. Someone overseeing the space, to maintain everyone is playing safely.
3. The space free of foot traffic, things that can be knocked over easily (this is not just a kitten joke), anything sharp or glass.

Dangers of headspace.
- The first and most common danger of headspace comes from other players, it’s important to remember that in head space sometimes we forget our own strength and it's easy to hurt other players by playing to rough.
- Even if you know the player you're roughhousing with, in a public play space that kind of play can hurt other players, or discourage them from playing.
- While in headspace, a lot of us forget that we are on our hands and knees, we are not built to do this for long periods of time, this makes protective gear important. Mitts and knee pads should be a part of every players gear set.
- Dangers in headspace also include environmental hazards. We are less able to identify sharp or abrasive surfaces or more likely to misjudge heights or distances.