Do I already have tulpas?/Is that a tulpa?

[Luci]

I admit I'm still a little skeptical, but I'm mainly interested and researching a lot about it.

 

Also, I think maybe I already have... “created” one? Or something similar that could end up becoming one. I am mainly a writer(I LOVE writing and reading, VERY much). And these past few months I have been writing a story that is ALWAYS on my mind. And there are only... specifically two characters, who are the two protagonists. Researching it, I honestly noticed some similarities with other experiences.

 

When I'm writing, I often find myself... getting a little lost. What do I mean by that? Well, I'm writing a scene, for example, and out of NOWHERE I start writing the characters talking to me, and it's so automatic that sometimes I honestly don't even realize what I'm doing. I've had a few good laughs with the jokes that Kizu(the name of one of the characters) often makes. Which is strange, considering that I'm honestly terrible at jokes.

 

Another strange thing: this only happens with these two. I have other characters, some of whom I have defined much more. But this only happens with these two.

 

It is common that I often hear their answers to questions I have asked them. Or that I simply know how they would react to a situation. But this is all very new. None of my characters have ever done this before(and I've been writing for a LONG time). Anyway, I honestly don't think they're a tulpa, but I think they could become one. Because, honestly, the similarity between many experiences I've seen is TOO much of a coincidence.

[Shaula]

This did happen with us to a certain extent. Nightfall used to imagine a whole world before he found out about tulpas and that's where all of us came from. Stephen is a exception because he was Nightfall's first imaginary friend.  

 

Things were a little different than us, we may or may not have been tulpas before we found out about tulpas. Nightfall is pretty good at thinking random things and responses, so we may have been responding instead of him a few times. 

 

I think just a little push in the right direction and I think you could have your own tulpas! 😊 A good way to check is one technique Nightfall heard of and used. Basically you ask your tulpa to surprise you and see what happens. 😁 It's pretty arbitrary from there, so if you feel like it was them, then it probably was. 

 

We wish you luck with everything! 😊 

[An Ashy Individual]

What you're describing seems to be soulbound: characters that you've invested enough time and attention and emotions into for them to become autonomous.

 

I agree that they may not be full people yet, but could become "proper" tulpas.

You could basically just ask them what they think about being tulpas and whether or not they are tulpas.

[LB]

probably basically tulpas or something similar like soulbound or whatever

 

our original had something similar but with roleplaying and fantasizing instead of writing but made the mistake of thinking tulpamancy was something categorically different than what was already being experienced and it was just really damaging to go so long not realizing it is the same experience, whatever people want to call it

 

simply deciding they are tulpas and treating them as such will probably immediately convert them into tulpas. though as tulpas they will end up having more self determination for themselves than if you decide to always consider them as characters

[mattx]

What you're experiencing is called daydreaming, and it's very common for writers (J.K Rowling as well claimed she could "visualize" and "hear" characters during her writings).

The thing is, it's not yet a fully formed tulpa, that can self-sustain and "stick" with you indefinately without prolonged attention (if you stop writing for a few months those characters would eventually disappear)
It's totally possible however to turn them into one, and since you are a writer and you have already the character fleshed out in your mind it'll be even easier.

I suggest reading up on a couple guides and most importantly, start treating said entity as a real person (once you've accepted that you're gonna be together basically forever) - the guide below in my signature might help you out with symbolism and whatnot.

[Luci]

14 hours ago, matt.exe said:

What you're experiencing is called daydreaming, and it's very common for writers (J.K Rowling as well claimed she could "visualize" and "hear" characters during her writings).

The thing is, it's not yet a fully formed tulpa, that can self-sustain and "stick" with you indefinately without prolonged attention (if you stop writing for a few months those characters would eventually disappear)
It's totally possible however to turn them into one, and since you are a writer and you have already the character fleshed out in your mind it'll be even easier.

I suggest reading up on a couple guides and most importantly, start treating said entity as a real person (once you've accepted that you're gonna be together basically forever) - the guide below in my signature might help you out with symbolism and whatnot.

@matt.exeSo... I already turned her into a tulpa! I've actually been reading the guide for a while now, and I read yours too. And I don't know if it's because it all seems so logical and makes sense to me, but it's been much easier than I expected! 

 

I created Kizu as a character YEARS ago, and it's like I've known her forever. In my view, she has as much right and control over this body as I do, and she's a life just like me. She has rights and deserves respect and choice. Ultimately, I respect her greatly. 

 

I'm still getting used to some concepts, like accepting that not everything in my brain will originate from me anymore. And I'm also creating many of my own techniques, and I'm including Kizu in everything possible, I basically talk to her all the time. 

 

Anyway, I'm loving doing this! And... well, I guess in the end we really are a system, and have been for longer than I expected. This is still new, but... it's comforting too. Of all my characters, Kizu has always been there. For some reason, she was always on my mind, and in the darkest moments, writing about her comforted me. Anyway, she's her own person now, and she'll be able to make her own decisions about a lot of things!

 

Anyway, I guess I'm rambling now. Just, thanks for your "guide"! It's been really helpful in so many ways, and it's made us realize we can do things our way too! 

[Luci]

On 8/24/2025 at 5:59 PM, Shaula said:

This did happen with us to a certain extent. Nightfall used to imagine a whole world before he found out about tulpas and that's where all of us came from. Stephen is a exception because he was Nightfall's first imaginary friend.  

 

Things were a little different than us, we may or may not have been tulpas before we found out about tulpas. Nightfall is pretty good at thinking random things and responses, so we may have been responding instead of him a few times. 

 

I think just a little push in the right direction and I think you could have your own tulpas! 😊 A good way to check is one technique Nightfall heard of and used. Basically you ask your tulpa to surprise you and see what happens. 😁 It's pretty arbitrary from there, so if you feel like it was them, then it probably was. 

 

We wish you luck with everything! 😊 

@ShaulaI used a similar tactic with Kizu, which leads me to believe that... well, she's been around a lot longer than I expected! I'm LOVING getting to know her better and interacting with her, to be honest. It's a really great thing!