Greetings from the storm- any reptile fans here?

[Ollyollyoxford]

Hello, I'm Olly,

When you finish reading this- please share your favorite reptile if you have one! If you don't like them well... to each their own.

I really don't know how to start this introduction- what's too much info, what's not enough?
Educator, artist, gen-z (mid-20s), writer, libra, likes long walks on the beach- okay, now that's out of the way...

I've been in therapy and psychiatric counseling ever since (at least as far as I can remember) kinder, but it's only in my adulthood that I'm accepting that a lot of my symptoms and unhealthy behaviors are largely attributed to unresolved trauma- neglect, abuse, religious and gender related stuff, and the most recent within the decade- betrayal. I only became aware I had trauma in my teens, as the household I grew up in normalized much of the toxicity that I was exposed to- any suffering was just an act of "martyrdom" we HAD to experience.

On top of this I have anxiety, major depression, autism, and I was diagnosed with D.I.D. a long time ago (it's largely been managed- still on my record though). Honestly I've been tossed around psychiatry so many times, I don't know what is or isn't accurate about my diagnoses. I've had to be brought to hospital/homes three times but, those days are long behind me.

I've been wanting to find a community that could understand and communicate the complexities of trauma, but I've always been afraid to put myself out there. Beyond my therapist, I have nobody who I am comfortable enough to talk about how trauma has affected me. I'm unfortunate to say that my efforts in the past beyond therapy are often met with judgment, shame, or condescension- leading me to further secure the walls around my vulnerability. It's gotten to where I sometimes can't even open up to my therapist because I'm so guarded.

Also, with autism I've been told I come off cold. In one instance described as "venomous", which isn't too bad because I really love reptiles, particularly komodo pit vipers- trimeresurus insularis- to be exact. This said, I truly hope that what I write doesn't get misinterpreted as such. I promise it is something I actively try to pay attention to. And it's why I will read my writing over and over and it will take me forever to send a non-practical text or email.

Oh also yes, happy new years to you all. Good luck to those going to work and/or school again. Those who are retired... enjoy!

[NarcKiddo]

Hello, and welcome.

My favourite reptile? The tortoise. When I think about it, the tortoise kind of replicates the protections we build up with CPTSD. A great heavy shell that functions well in many ways, but we have to stick our head out if we want to do pretty much anything.

I think many of us here are familiar with the feeling of not even being able to open up to a therapist. You're not alone. We get it, and I'm glad you found us.

[TheBigBlue]

Hi Olly, welcome!
And happy New Year to you too.
Thank you for trusting this space with your story.

Favorite reptile... oh wow, that is a good and hard question.
If I go purely symbolic: chameleons have always fascinated me. Beautiful, slow, almost still - but with those independently moving eyes that scan everything. Blending in, almost invisible; calm on the outside, hyper-aware underneath. That one resonates.

I also have a soft spot for geckos. They're kind of adorable, show up quietly, and do something genuinely useful just by being there. I let them stay when they occasionally move in - free mosquito and fly control - and the whole "hairy palm physics" thing (sticking to everything without glue) still blows my mind.

If you'll allow me to cheat a little: my final pick would be the axolotl (I know - amphibian, not reptile 🙂). Their facial expression is adorable, but also something about staying in a form that works for survival, not forcing a transformation just because it's "expected," and surviving in a very particular environment... that feels meaningful to me.

Most of my favorite animals though, I realize, are the ones that helped me survive or regulate in real life - like my service dog Baloo. Long before I understood trauma and that I have CPTSD, I was drawn to sitting for hours with fearful, undersocialized dogs in animal shelters - not training them, not pushing them, just staying quiet, predictable, and present until their nervous systems settled. The change was often marked by a deep sigh and finally falling asleep. I only recognize now that this was co-regulation.

This question turned out to be deeper than I thought. Thanks for asking it - and for being here. 💛

[Desert Flower]

Hello Olly and welcome,
I hope you will find the community here that you need and deserve like all the rest of us.
Favourite reptile YAY, yes, turtle and chameleon. And my image is always of the siamese twin turtle, that has five legs and two heads. Are we in or are we out? Fascinates me.
Reptiles need warmth too don't they. I do wish you a warm welcome.

[Kizzie]

Hi and a warm welcome to Out of the Storm and Happy New Year Olly!  While not really a reptile person I do love iguanas. I find them to be so beautiful.  And I do really like Geckos.

I think you will find it easier to write about your feelings/experiences here because members do get it. When I started posting I took quite a bit of time on every post, but over time I just relaxed and now my posts come freely and smoothly. I hope you will find the same thing. It may be that your autism makes this a bit more difficult I know, but there's a certain magic in the connection, acceptance and understanding here so that may help you to feel less guarded.

[Teddy bear]

Hi and welcome 👋
Regarding reptiles, I like lizards. Well, actually my dog likes them 🙂