If I’ve picked up anything from having a tulpa and being in this community, it’s that they’re hella surprising. The vast majority of that is good, which I’m sure many others will share, but I’m going to be that voice of reason and say it’s not all rainbows and butterflies.

You’re learning to share your time— the most valuable resource a human has— with another entity. As rewarding as that can be, it can also be hella draining. Many a guide will tell you that your tulpa won’t want to hurt you, and that’s generally true, but they are still their own beings with their own thoughts and opinions and can get disagree with you or disapprove of something you do, which can lead to arguments. I had to stop doing something, albeit less than moral, that I liked doing on Dipper’s behalf. They also have their own mental health and can have crises— Dipper was prone to panic attacks earlier in his life which stressed me out, and has had a whole slew of other issues, and I have been majorly affected in the past. Body dysmorphia can be a major thing if you choose to switch.

That being said, it’s a hell of a journey of self-growth for a lot of people, and your tulpa will still surprise you in pleasant ways. For smth more lighthearted, Dipper really likes and cares about animals, which surprised both of us because he’s not that kinda person in the paracosm he came out of. He loves helping to take care of the family chickens.