So, you've come through all the flack and doubt and found that you still think you're a were*whatever*. Now what?

     Well, now you've got to find out more about yourself. I know that's not really the answer you want to hear, but that's what you have to do.

     One of the most common mistakes 'new' weres tend to make is jumping right in to 'the community' and proclaiming to god and everyone that they're a were and their phenotype is *whatever*.

     Why is this a mistake? Well, what if your phenotype ISN'T *whatever*, or you find out later that it is but there's another too. Well, you look like a complete n00b ass, that's what. Take your time. There's no rush here. 'The community' was there before you, and it'll still be there tomorrow.

     The best advise I can offer here is to take a break from EVERYTHING were rather than going on a mad search of every were resoucre you can lay your greedy little paws on. Why? Well, it'll cut the chances of Shifters Disease dramatically for one. READ THAT LINK! It's important to understand.

     Secondly, and no less important, is that it'll allow you time to sort out precisely what being a were is to you and give you a chance to become more 'comfortable' with yourself as you are. It may not seem like a major thing, but many an unprepared newbie has been psychologically crushed when they too-rapidly adopted someone else's view of therianthropy only to have the person that they looked to as their 'guru' exposed as an RPer, Poser, or outright liar. It's not a pretty sight.

     An important note to make here is that phenotype ISN'T everything. Simply being a wolf doesn't give you any more status, credibility, or 'rank' than someone who is a deer. At least it doesn't anyplace that matters. We really don't care WHAT you are, we care WHO you are. I count several 'herbi-weres' among people I respect and trust, and several wolves and cougars as complete wastes of protoplasm. Figure out what you are on your own and don't let anyone bully or push you into adopting a phenotype that doesn't feel right. It may take some time, but there's no shame in saying "I don't know yet."

     Once you feel that you've gotten a pretty good handle on what's going on inside you (and no 2 or 3 days really ISN'T 'enough time' to really do any 'soul-searching'), it's time to come back to 'the community' and find out just how much more you have to learn. True, it's something of a daunting task, but again it's necessary. Remember, nobody knows everything, and 'the community' needs you as much (possibly more) than you need it. Everyone has something to offer, and without new individuals coming in 'the community' (such as it is) would rapidly cease to exist at all.

     Understand, however, that there IS NO MAGIC FORMULA to make you a were. There is only time and experience. Listen to those that have been around a while. Ask questions, but be ready for answers you don't like. Observe and learn.

     Also, be ready for your own views to change. Nothing in this world is static, everything evolves. You may think that you've got a pretty good bead on things right now, but you may find (most of us do) that in a few years you were completely wrong. Keep questioning what you know.

     And finally, find something that is completely NON-Therianthropy related to do as well. 'The community' can be a pretty rough place that will (at some point) end up grating on your very last nerve, and it's good to have something that'll take your mind off of it for a while. Failing in that, take a break (like recommended above). We'll still be here when you get back.