Founded by Penelope LaBelle in 2024, The Shifting Times is an English online newspaper all about shifting. New issues released every Friday exploring shifting methods, tips, motivation and interviews from everyone.
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Friday, 17th May 2024
People on TikTok, shifters and non-shifters have been in a debate about whether or not shifting is in fact a ploy to gaining some fame or an inside joke, like that trend 'Zepotha' emilyjeffri started last year to promote her music. We have interviewed 17 year old Louisa, a shifter, about her experience with shifting and what she thinks about it being called an 'inside joke'. Also coming to The Shifting Times is 19 year old Emma, an anti-shifter. We asked her what she thought shifting was, if she thought it was an inside joke and why she is an anti-shifter.
Louisa is a 17 year old girl from Scotland who has been shifting since 2021. She tells us in December 2022 she minishifted for the first time (mini-shifting is a term used which means shifting for a very short amount of time.)
"So it was December 2022 and I had the worst day at school, I had a maths test I did really bad on and I came home and just scrolled on TikTok. I was watching tons of story times and decided to read over my script and shift that night. I got into my bed and put on a subliminal on and really focused on my DR, what I would be able to smell, see, hear and all the people I'd meet and everything!"
She then goes on to say "I then saw flashing lights and felt as if I was going through this tunnel and then I heard a voice, Hermione Granger. She was waking me up for breakfast and when I opened my eyes it was so overwhelming and exciting that I panicked and shifted back. I've mini-shifted a few times since then and still have yet to overcome that panic when I get there. To anyone reading this don't give up!! I'm so glad I didn't give up after years of trying."
We then asked Louisa if she had any tips for people who have been trying for years and haven't made any progress and what she thought about people saying shifting was an inside joke.
"I know it sems like it isn't real or it seems too unrealistic to achieve but what helped me was realising not every shifter has technology or phones. There has to be a shifter out there who shifts without knowing what it's called or if anybody else can do it. It's been around for centuries and not everybody on TikTok lies, some people don't even get famous from posting shifting content yet they still post. And once I realised that my shifting journey became so much smoother. I stopped doubting myself and asking 'what am I doing wrong?' because I wasn't doing anything wrong! Shifting is a skill you practice and get good at. People aren't born knowing how to write, read or even speak! They develop these skills overtime and for some it takes years while others take months, it's all a journey that's unique to you. If it was an inside joke then the hundreds and thousands of shifters would be lying which I deem impossible and I've proven to myself it's real!"
Heading now over to Emma a 19 year old anti-shifter who came to us wanting to discuss her views on shifting.
"It might be real I don't know but it seems a bit unbelievable. Going to Hogwarts and becoming mates with Ron Peasley whatever his name is. I tried shifting in 2020 but I didn't get none of those symptoms or anything. I wanted to shift to Star Wars and there were a few Star Wars shifters at that time so I made a script on my phone, lay on my back and started counting and nothing worked. I gave up after a few months. That might be why I don't believe in it, after it didn't work I realised going to Star Wars in a different reality sounded insane."
Going to the main question of this weeks issue we asked Emma if she thought shifting was an inside joke or ploy to get famous and here's what she said:
"Inside joke? No that's a bit stupid it's TikTok if it were an inside joke so many people would've come forward and acted like they did with Zepotha but their community is quite nice I have to admit. They support each other, give scientifical advice, facts and all that stuff so I don't think it's an inside joke. But a ploy to get famous however I think some shifters do that and you can tell which ones but again it'd be unbelievable if they all were doing it."
We then asked Emma if she'd every retry shifting and what message she has to shifters and anti-shifters.
"Uhm maybe, right now no but I can't speak for my future self and my message to shifters is to ignore toxic anti-shifters they're just mad they're too closed minded to explore different realities and my message to anti-shifter is if you don't like them don't interact. I've participated in a shifters newspaper because this is quite cool and the fact as an anti-shifter you've let me come on here and give my opinion without any drama is nice but usually I don't interact with shifting because I don't believe in it as of now but I don't care if other people do because it's their life, their decisions and my input isn't needed."
QUICK RUN OVER RECENT SHIFTING NEWS
Shiftoks first newspaper has been established in 2024, based in England founded by Penelope LaBelle (penelope.labelle on TikTok) called The Shifting Times (us!)
Reya Singh has posted a YouTube video reading successful shifting story times she has been sent.
Alexa Valentino, shifter and singer, is going on tour. Tickets are in her TikTok bio and we highly suggest listening to her music.
Shifters Archive have linked a Go Fund Me in their TikTok bio to help Palestinian families, if you would like to help go to their TikTok (shifters.archive), click on the link and all the links to the Go Fund Me's should be there.
SHIFTERS WEEKLY PUZZLES:
Find all the words in the Word Search and try out whatever methods you come across:
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INTERVIEWS ARE STILL OPEN. THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEKS TOPIC IS: A SHIFTERS EXPERIENCE. SEND IN A STORY TIME, TIPS, THEORIES AROUND SHIFTING WHATEVER YOU LIKE TO OUR DM'S ON TIKTOK (theshiftingtimesofficial) OR TO OUR FOUNDER ON TIKTOK (penelope.labelle). IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS PLEASE STATE SO. WE DON'T REVEAL PEOPLES USERNAMES BUT SEND IN YOUR NAME, AGE AND WHERE YOU'RE FROM (last two optional) IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE ANONYMOUS.
