“What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish is already an emotional song, but throw in a “Meow-meow” version? Internet says it is the saddest song of 2024! There’s something about Cat-like sounds that make us feel all raw and sensitive.
I mean, who hasn’t looked at their feline companion mid-sigh?
MEOWING HEALS
Why are so many of us (yes, I’m guilty too) suddenly channeling our inner Cat?
From simply mimicking a meow to pretending we’re as chill as a snoozing Cat, these attempts to be more like our feline friends isn’t random. It’s actually tied to some explanation about our psychology, and it’s related to how we might be craving for something soothing after a hectic day.
WE TEND TO LIKE CATS — AND THIS MUSICAL IS PROOF
WE’VE ALWAYS LOOKED UP TO THEM
Our love for Cats isn’t new; it’s ancient. Egyptians treated them as gods, and in Japan, they’re symbols of good luck.
These days, we just can’t get enough of them. Pretending to be like them is like borrowing a little of that cool Cat purrsonality for ourselves. And if you’re super into this, you’ll probably enjoy online groups where humans connect over their love of pretending to be Cats.
Yes, you read that right: There are online groups where people pretend to be Cats — and it’s a real vibe. More on that below, in case you wanna join the cat drama.
PLAYING ISN’T JUST FOR KIDS
Famous psychologist D.W. Winnicott says play is a big deal for mental health and self-expression. Acting like a Cat gives humans a fun way to experiment with traits they don’t always get to show (think of it as internalizing a character during a play).
Experts call this identification — that’s when we admire certain traits so much we want to bring them into our lives. In other words, pretending to be a Cat isn’t about becoming one, thankfully. It’s really just about connecting with a playful mindset.
If you feel like meowing or doing a Cat stretch, I’d say go for it! Your brain just wants to loosen up.
WEIRDLY AWESOME STRESS BUSTER
Did you know that there are Facebook groups where people pretend to be random Animals? There’s a group where people pretend to be a colony of Ants, for instance.
It might sound odd, but according to media psychologist Andreas Lieberoth from an article written by Jareen Imam for NBC, these spaces are actually awesome for stress relief and a safe way to just be silly.
You are bound to find at least one Facebook group where you can pretend to be a Cat, too!
WHY DO PEOPLE ACT LIKE CATS?
Some people’s admiration for animals goes beyond simple appreciation or entertainment value. There are even different terms referring to animal mimicry in humans.
According to Jason Steadman, a clinical psychologist who wrote an article for CAPTVRE Imagination, “furries” enjoy dressing up or embodying anthropomorphized animal traits, while “therians” feel a strong spiritual or psychological connection to a specific animal, often believing it is part of their true identity.
People who identify as therians or otherkin don’t see their connection to animals as fantasy or play, but as an inherent part of who they are. They may incorporate animal- like behaviors into their everyday life. For example, when they are stressed, they hiss instinctively and naturally, just like Cats.
It might feel a bit of a brain-rot at first, but your inner self and thoughts can usually guide you toward the subgroup that resonates with you the most!
LIVING IN BETWEEN
When we channel our inner Cat, we enter something called liminality. It’s a space where we’re in between roles — part human, part animal. According to Barbora Putova in a 2013 article for International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology, acting like a Cat gives people a break from the ordinary, letting them try on different ways of being.
Liminality offers freedom. It’s like a way to try on different traits that may or may not fit with everyday life. Acting like a Cat lets humans be playful, mysterious, or even aloof, allowing the release of stress.
For many, this temporary transformation feels like a liberating form of self- expression. Honestly, who wouldn’t want to try that?
Adding to Putova’s findings, liminality offers humans in-between spaces to connect with ideas, emotions, and identities that they may not express in everyday life, such as those in rituals and theaters!
THERE’S ALWAYS A PURR-ST TIME
So, why are so many of us drawn to pretending we’re animals, especially Cats? I believe it’s a mix of admiration, play, and the desire to tap into qualities that make us feel awesome.
Give it a try! Let a bit of Cat-like confidence and curiosity add some flair to your day. After all, a little meow never hurt anyone.
