#denning

denning/denner! ⸺ a flag for our personal misce definition of denning, that being “making a space for protection &/or caretaking others. happens more frequently during a rut”!

nesting/nester! ⸺ a flag for our personal misce definition of nesting, that being “making a space for comfort &/or safety for oneself. happens more frequently during heat”!

symbols made in photopea!

for cam!

Tarot Cards

Water bottes (you know you have an emotional support water bottle)

Journals

Books

Headphones (can also be used)

E-reader

Handheld gaming (3ds, steam deck, switch, etc.)

Chapstick

A project (crochet, beads, tabs, etc.)

Your hoard

Cut so this doesn't clog some poor persons feed..

Hello! If you know me, no introduction needed. If you don't, then hi! I go by many names, but you can think of me as Satoru, Callum, or Iker. I'm a miscelycan Alpha! However, despite being an Alpha, I still nest and have other Omega associated instincts/habits!

Springtime is coming soon which for me personally, has been kicking my instincts into high gear to clean, tend to my territory, den, nest, everything under the sun! So, in the name of spring cleaning, here's some of my advice!

First things first, if you're like me and have any disorder that may cause you to procrastinate, lose motivation, etc etc- Take your meds! I have ADHD and Adderall is a lifesaver.

If you don't have a disorder, don't take meds, or HAVE taken your meds, have a moment of mindfulness first! Drink some tea while thinking of what you want to do, how you want to do it, and when. Having a gameplan beforehand helps me feel less overwhelmed.

After that, you're ready to go!

Small disclaimer: some of this info, especially cleaning tips, will be extremely obvious and "common sense." I personally was neglected as a child and was not taught how to clean myself or my surroundings. I wish to help others learn.

Denning.

In my verse, denning is the act of preparing an entire space for yourself, packmates, or anybody else you trust within your space! Dens are very personal and are a key part of someone's territory. My den is my bedroom!

Here's how I prepare my den AND maintain it:

Keep things neat and tidy! I've struggled with hoarding my whole life so I know how hard this can be. However, it feels great to throw junk out and clear up the space! Even one or two things can make a difference.

Scenting! Lots and LOTS of scenting! This can be done by rubbing your scent glands on the walls, furniture, anywhere you'd like! Alternatively, praying a cologne or perfume is perfect as well! I'd recommend having a fan on while you do this to help the particles spread around the den.

Giving dusty shelves, desks, and dressers a quick wipe down. Especially after I clear out lots of junk and/or trash, giving all my surfaces a quick or thorough wipe with some Clorox wipes keeps everything fresh AND makes me feel generally cleaner! If you don't have any sanitising wipes, a wet paper towel will work too!

Wash and scent your bedsheets, blankets, pillows- anything you may sleep, cuddle, or sit with. This can once again help everything stay clean AND help you and your den smell like yourself.

Check any clutter for spider webs. This can especially happen if you have a plushie hammock in the corner of your room, or shelves of books.

Last but not least, decorate! Your den is your space. Make it feel cozy, feel like home. If you're in the space to do so, buy some new decorations! Maybe even a candle!

Nesting.

Next is nesting. In my verse, nesting is a typically smaller space- this is usually used for napping, riding out heats/ruts, or for regulation. My nest is a small fort I made in the crook between my bed and my wall.

Similar to denning, give all your sheets, blankets, pillows, etc a wash and scent it! If you're like me and sleep in your nest often, you want to avoid the space getting too sweaty and icky. No mold here!

Give everything a quick rearrangement! When I'm feeling nest-y, it helps trick my brain if I shuffle around some pillows or fluff up a comforter. Sometimes you just need a change.

Scent it!!! I love to scent my nest by just rolling around in it. It's fun AND affirming. If that's not your style, lightly spraying some cologne or perfume works too.

Add something new! Since it's becoming spring, add something new to your nest! This can be a new pillow, a new blanket, even a plushie or toy!

Make sure you have a way to stay cool and cozy. My nest has a roof of sorts, so it traps in heat and can get pretty hot. Aiming a fan on a low setting at your nest or opening a window is perfect.

And lastly, my favourite thing- show it to someone you love. For me, it's always super satisfying to show off my nest to someone close to me. This can be a friend, family, a pet, your mate, or even a stuffed animal! Show off your work!

Alphas naturally have an enhanced sense of smell (linked to those good hunter vs. gatherer days).

So imagine that it’s been a hard day at work. The only thing you want is the comfort of your den. Literally the only thing holding you together, is the fact your car smells so solely like you.

That you spent an hour within its confines

In your driveway, yeah. It’s pretty bad.

Even the truly faded scents of betas that had brushed you during day are overwhelming. Even worse the preteen on the verge of presentation.

Who had knocked into your back while roughhousing..

Oh, like the volatile teen hormones aren’t enough. The higher being from hell had to throw in budding pheromones… which produce at varying strengths, regardless of overstimulated senses!

So yeah, you’re pretty sure you hate kids. Adults. Hell even the stairs that bar you from your den.

Who had the audacity to make them so steep, why did you lock your door again???

Deep breath, it’s so other people don’t fuck up the one good thing. The unscented paradise.

Your den. Which offers no outside scents, as you’re quick to shed scented clothes outside its walls. Just arguably clean air, rife with your scent.

It would be so soo easy to climb within its cushiony cacophony. Accepting temporary death in accordance with tempering your senses.

But meticulousness has you climbing in the shower. Washing away the invading scents.

Until Finally. You are able to launch yourself within the angel soft masterpiece.

The piece de resistance, your denned in bed. Which feels so so cool, on every sense.

Like a cold plunge

A factory reset.

A damn good place for an after work nap.

.

..

Day 266 - Denning, Fire Emblem Blazing Blade (Request by @sunsickle)

yknow those bunk bed things where the space underneath isnt another bed but like an empty space to put a desk in, for compact rooms? i want that soooo bad. the trouble is, i live in the basement of my house and the ceiling isnt very high. so if i had something like that, itd have to be pretty cramped space for both the bed and beneath it

but itd be sooo nice to finally have a proper den. im currently just working with my bed and putting a curtain up, but the fact that theres no roof to it, no corner to compress myself and pillows into, no easy way to light it nicely, and it doesnt feel properly cut off from the rest of my room - i feel so unsatisfied :<

i NEED this

Feeling the intense urge to nest and make a den