*huggles tightly*

If you ever wanna talk, you can message me? I know we're not like, friends, but I get that one. Felt like it for a long time before i made my boyo.

What was your process for making your boy? How did you decide on species, palette, etc? Have you had any doubts about him since making him?

Hmm, I guess I'll answer in order, kinda?
I chose a timber wolf for him because at the time, I really felt unoriginal, and it wasn't a thing I particularly minded. Actually wanted to capitalize on that, and I kept seeing jokes about how 'wolves' were everywhere in the fandom! So I went for a wolf, and looked up the ones in the cold climates, and decided on timber wolf!

Originally, his palette was Yellows tho, haha. It was partially because I knew I didn't have the skill to do an all natural palette, and partially because I'm naturally white-blond, so I used my hair as a base! I've sold that version, and since remade him into this, which kept most of the markings. Changed him a bit darker, partially because that's what I wanted to begin with, and partially because I don't go out in the sun as much, so I wanted him to match my hair better! Haha.
His markings are just because while real wolves' markings fade, its hard to do that in art and fursuits, so I wanted a marking-fade, if that makes any sense?

I really liked the idea of just 'basic wolf', and that's just what ended up suiting my personality. I've since made other secondary fursonas and dropped them along the way, while Sehb has always stayed Sehb. If I go through a drastic change, he would too, I think. But right now, he's me in the present, which is all I really wanted to make him.
I've not had any doubts since his rework into the brown palette, and that was only because I didn't originally want a yellow palette anyways haha. Well, except contemplating adding a stylized tree marking, but I'll probably never do that and just add clothes like that instead.
ETA: Also wolves are really actually anxious and non-confrontational and I relate to that real hard haha

Before him though, I went through a fursona every few months, trying on different identities and feeling they didn't fit me. Had one that lasted me a while before I ended up discarding him too, all because they didn't feel like /me/.
I think the important thing is to find the things you like about yourself. Which is super difficult! I had a hard time for ages because I kept making an idealised version of myself, what I wanted to be, instead of going, 'no, i need to make Me"

I'm basic, I'm not particularly creative, and I'm okay with that! I don't mind not being original, as long as I'm enjoying myself. So I based a lot on that. I love my hair, so more on that. My eyes are brown but turn gold in the sun, so again, a trait.
His personality is mine. Depression, anxiety, c-ptsd, autism, adhd, all of it. There wasn't a point in making him something idealized, because people aren't perfect, and I didn't want perfection anyways, ya know? Its not attainable, and it always ended up making me sad when I looked at my 'perfect' character versions of myself. Like I'd never achieve it. Plus, people like me well enough, so there's gotta be something about me that's work liking, right? That's what I looked for. I asked my friends what they liked about me, what some of my good traits were. I'm loyal, I'm friendly, I might talk too much and be annoying, but I can pull people out of their funks with that. I'm loud and obnoxious and I experience the world loudly and brightly and with enough honesty that it only annoys people who don't want to experience it that way themselves.

I mean, that's obviously just me, so I can't say it'll help you or that you really need to do that, but...
If you think you have no personality, I think the more likely thing is you're ignoring what is good about you, what you are that you see in other people and go "i like that"
You're a good artist, you're approachable, and I've not even talked to you before.

Also, you don't really have to like yourself. I mean, its the ideal, but I think its kind of a hard thing to do. But you can like being yourself. Enjoying being you is much more important, I think, and really in the end its the thing that helps you figure out who you even are, and what traits you Like about yourself.
Also, who you want to be? If that makes sense? Like, who you Want to be says so much more about you than who you are, I think, and I think that's something worth looking into. Figure out who you want to be, and then see who you are now and figure out what traits are the same. Use those, I think?

Sorry that's absolutely a TON of words in there, haha. ;w; I hope that didn't overwhelm you or overstep anything. Just wanted to make sure I was clear and such???

It honestly seems like you and I share a lot of the same traits lol. One thing I do struggle with though is my hair. I'm naturally a redhead and I hate it. I went blonde for several years and liked it well enough- though recently I went a sort of dark blue. I also struggle with wanting to keep my hair short or growing it out lmfao. Ever the indecisive. Though perhaps a neutral color palette is what I need. I just feel like I'm so bad at making them look good, just like you did.

But yeah, I'm not super creative either, I constantly look outward for inspiration and motivation instead of being able to find it from within. I used to always want to stand out in the crowd, though. I wanted to be noticed and liked, though normally, I don't stick out at all. I want to have a kind of character that people enjoy seeing, both aesthetically and personality wise- but perhaps that isn't realistic bc thats not the type of person I am.

I have little.. ticks?? I guess? like putting the chord of my headphones or my necklace in my mouth when I'm either just chillin or really focused on something, like art. I have a huge affinity for scars, particularly on the face, though I don't really scar myself for some reason. I'm a highly affectionate person and just love to cuddle but I can also be quick to anger if something rubs me the wrong way. I'm very anxious and am constantly overanalyzing things to make sure people like me and I have a cocktail of mental disorders like depression and adhd.

Some days I feel like a monster, and others I feel like the warmth of the sun.

I appreciate you taking the time to go through all this. It actually helped me think through a few things, and I'll probably sit down and continue to analyse things about myself without attempting to be too critical. Made me a bit teary eyed tbh lmfao. I think I may be trying to fit myself into too many boxes in an attempt to please others instead of myself, but its so hard to break away from that tbh.

Idk if you'd want to, but if you'd like, we can swap discords. You seem like an awesome person and I wouldn't mind continuing to get to know you.

Ah, I mean, that's fair haha. I used to dye my hair a ton! The reason I like it is more that its thick and soft, which means its fun to play with. Plus, I grow a 'winter coat' and the texture changes which imo is kinda fun?
You could have a sona with hair and then just be like "color can be anything, but this is the natural version" ?? I've seen that a lot!

Omg what a mood.
I mean, I think your art sticks out? It's interesting and cute. :3 And I think that's less realistic just because people have different tastes. If you like your sona, someone else will too! Everyone likes different things, but that doesn't mean people never like what you like either, ya know?

Omg same. I stim a TON; had to buy some human chew-toys because I kept breaking headphone cords actually. owo;
I totally get all of that honestly!!! Super relatable haha. <3

I also get the feeling like a monster thing. It sucks.

Oh, awesome!! I was really worried I talked too much; I didn't even realise how much I'd typed until I hit post! ;w;'
And yeah, I get that. Boxes can be really good to figure out where you fit in, but they can also be super limiting, and its not really possible to encapsulate a whole person with a single label, I think. It's hard to break away from, but while labels and such have places, I don't think they're the be all end all either!

And that'd be totally fine by me! <3 You seem really nice, and I'd love to chat more!
I'm Sehb#5655 on there. :3

Yee I'll probably end up doing the different hair color thing tbh, just bc it'll make it easier cx

And thank you! I worry that my art is bland or uninteresting o<-< I've always strived to find my own style, but I also experiment a lot, so its this double edged sword xDD

But yee I stim a ton too. I have so many different toys at my desk from squishables to fidget cubes, though I stim the most with my mouth. At work, I'll either chew on my necklace or chew gum- hard to pass off a chewing toy at work x.x But if I'm fidgeting with my hands, I don't have to fidget as much with my mouth, fortunately enough. But its gotta be one of the two xDD

But ye don't worry about talking too much. I def get that way a lot myself, but you gave a lot of great insight and information that has helped-- def already have some ideas floating around, though I'll probably take my time deciding on a final design.

And added!! I'm softtop#8385 on there.

As someone who also went through a lot of sonas/mascots, all I can advise is sitting down, really taking the time to look at who you are as a person, what you value, like, dislike, and incorporate it into a design. I've had my current, permanent mascot since 2016, designed myself and he's not going anywhere because he's a perfect representation of myself and who I am.

No one can design your sona/mascot better than you since you know yourself best.

I've been trying to do that for a while. I've been struggling so much because I feel like I like too many things and it causes me to be indecisive-- am I more like a cat or a dog-- if its dog- what kind of dog? wolf, fox, coyote, labrador? what are my favorite colors-- idk it kinda really depends. whats my fashion sense- mostly just boring tshirts and jeans with a splash of something different but that different is never consistent. I feel like my ADHD makes this extra hard bc I hyperfixate, and that hyperfixation makes all my likes and dislikes change drastically. I want to be this sort of dark, brooding type, but I'm also really soft and loving. I've been called anything from a puppy dog to a lion, and no one can really help me pinpoint a sort of middle ground for my personality type because I swing so wildly. I just, I don't even know where to start.

I want to thank you a lot for even taking the time to answer. I've looked up to your art for a while so this means a lot coming from you, even if I can't make a lot of sense of it yet.

Have you considered a character who can shape shift? I feel like a design that gives you the most freedom may be what you're looking for. Kinda sit and think of what animal or could even be human, or something monsterous/demonic looking as the base and give yourself the freedom to allow this character to be whatever you want it to be depending on how you feel. If you're feeling like a "cat" one moment, then your character is a cat. Dog next moment? It can be a dog. Human? It can be that too. This way you're opening yourself to a lot of creative freedom that can respond to sudden change. The design itself can represent that by being simple, but unique and having something that would represent you as a whole. There's nothing wrong with having a solid colored character or something simply designed as you are free to adjust and shift things as you wish!

Colors go the same way and I struggled with that a LOT. I actually have difficulties seeing certain colors and what helps me when I'm unsure of what colors to pick, is to go neutral. You can't ever go wrong with black or white. They're universal and exist in every color. And it gives you the freedom to pick your favorite color or changing color whenever you please. Example would be having a white or black solid based character with an accent (such as the eyes) that can be any color you please at any time. It's similar to the species where it opens things up so you don't feel limited and all your differences and changes can be reflected.

Same concept for the clothing as well, make it whatever you please, even things that you may not actually wear but enjoy. I feel like a lot of people struggle because they want a design that is solid and stands out as it is and they're generally afraid to experiment and change things up because the design has been established to be this one particular thing.

But characters change as we change and while deviating from that one notable design can be hard, in the end the only person whose thought matters is yours. As long as you are happy with your character and creation, then I'd call it a success.

Anytime! I struggled with this so much and it's only been within the past few years that I realized what I personally like and want to do, as well as being okay with the fact that as long as I'm happy, then what I'm doing will only get better.

I have considered that in the past, actually, though its always a struggle to implement. Though I suppose I've never considered a more "generic" design when doing that. I think I also worry about being too boring, so I feel like I have to have these super unique and interesting designs that are way more work to draw than I can enjoy for very long.

Perhaps its an ideal I'll test out again and see if I can't find a way to make it work while still feeling like it represents me well. Especially with the addition of interesting clothes making it more unique without sacrificing something in the design.
Thank you so much for the input~