Imaginary friend tips?

[Midnight Dragon 264]

Okay, I know having an imaginary friend at my age probably sounds stupid...but I still enjoy pretending that a character I love (or made up myself) is with me.

 

However, in recent years, my imagination just hasn't been that good. It's hard to explain, but basically, I struggle with playing imaginary things.

 

Does anyone have any advice for getting my imagination going?

 

(Did a single thing I said make any sense? -_-)

[longgone 873]

It's not bad, I kinda like to believe Fluttershy is "in my heart" XD

Perhaps you could draw her to get a better picture of her if you don't have one, I assume that would make it easier to envision her. 

[Dattebayo 2,850]

Your imagination is probably fading becasue you're growing up.

TBH, I think it's about time you let him/her go. It may not be what you want to hear, and it's for the best.

[Fluttershyfan94 5,742]

You just need to rekindle your imagination. Try creating things, lay down and just imagine things. My imagination is very active and I keep it there by trying to use it constantly.

[CrestofReliability 28]

Ok... so you all actually have to try to create these voices and characters in your heads, you don't, you know, just have them? I thought everyone had at least one other interactive consciousness in their minds... must just be a left handed thing... jk It's probably because I'm crazy. 

[Swirl 90]

When I need to rekindle my creative side I like to draw & write stories about the characters. I don't have an imaginary friend but being productive with my fictional characters certainly helps me feel more personal with them.

 

And I don't think it's weird or silly that you have an imaginary friend...society is becoming more and more "grown up", acting childish is the only way I can keep life interesting.

[Colorful Respawn 399]

I used to have an imaginary friend, he was a small silver man who can shape shift into anything. But I haven't seen him since 7th grade.

[Virgil 685]

Try reading things that really give the imagination good food and drink. Old books that have fantastical elements in them that can't help but cause one to become wrapped up in them. Phantastes by George MacDonald is a favorite of mine. Others would be Chronicles of Narnia, some of the other old fairy tales like ones by Hans Christian Anderson, Old folklore and myths are always good. Also, if you like poetry that's a great way to go about it. Reading some of the poets of the 1800's like Tennyson or Percy Shelley really enrich the imagination.

[Oblivion 20,268]

Okay, so you might have a lot of people start telling you to  "Grow up" or "let it go" in this topic just because of your age, but you know what, keep having an imaginary friend because why the heck not, as long as it doesn't start telling you to do bad things then your golden, just never lose your imagination, it can be a wonderful thing!

[Something Floaty 1,334]

You're lucky, my imaginary friend never tips. Always sticks me with the check, too. 

[Adachi 772]

You know, you could have an imaginary friend who can think and act independently, it's called a tulpa. Some say it's risky to develop one, because it involves tricking the brain, but many have done it and there are no confirmed injuries or health issues. You basically start off with the personality and voice, then move onto the form. And you just keep giving attention to your tulpa whenever you can, and finding any excuse possible to talk to your tulpa and assume that it's sentient. Eventually, you'll start hearing thoughts with your mind voice that are distinct. Once your tulpa is vocal, I recommend trying to visualize your tulpa in your mind's eye. Once you can hold a solid form, try visualizing the tulpa into the real world. You'll have to puppet it for a while, but eventually, it'll start being able to move on it's own.

 

As for what personality you like, think of everything you wish you could be, and everything you want in a friend. For instance, I spend a lot of time alone, so I need cheering up. But I could also use somepony to help me with magick and stuff. So I'm making a tulpa named Pinkamena, and she's based on Pinkie Pie's appearance and personality, but has Twilight Sparkle's intelligence.

 

One more thing, tulpas tend to deviate from their original form. This is normal. Being a sentient being, they might not be satisfied with their form, and they should be allowed to deviate, because they don't exist to aesthetically please you, but to be a guide and companion.

[Derpy Defense Force 13]

First, you're not alone. While I don't have a single specific imaginary friend, I can always be counted on to come up with a stituation for literally any premise. Or so I'm told.

 

Second, a few things that help me when I'm running dry:
1. I keep a few... case files, for lack of a better term, as references for my imagination to go back and expound upon. Having something already made and established often helps when creating new things.

 

2. Imagine the friend's reactions to your everyday life. You ate yogurt? How did they feel about that? Did they care? You get the idea.

 

3. Never think that something is too crazy. I will often do this, and so do a lot of other people. This is your imagination. There's no one who can tell you that something can't happen. The world goes into a nuclear war but it turns out that nukes only have the effect of growing roses because of some chemical that was spread through the air and water the day before detonation? That's fine. Your imagination. Your world. Do what you want.

[Adente 1,000]

I dunno, I never had an imaginary friend, so I can't really think authoritatively on what you should do, but it sounds just like you're growing up and your imaginary friend is starting to fade. That's not a bad thing, it just means you're growing up. Most adults don't have an imaginary friend, so its normal to lose touch with this childlike part of your imagination. I'd say just let it happen personally.