# **Age Regression, Age Play, and OSDD: Understanding the Differences and My Experience**
Littlespace means different things to different people. For some, it’s a form of **age regression**, for others, it’s a type of **age play**, and for people like me—who have **OSDD (Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder)**—it’s something more complex. I want to share my experience and help others understand how these three things differ, and why I personally feel at home in the **CGL/DDLG** community rather than in the age regression space.
## **What is Age Regression?**
Age regression is a mental state where a person regresses into the emotions, thought patterns, and behaviors of a younger age. This can be **voluntary or involuntary**. When someone regresses, it’s not just "acting little"—their **mind actually shifts** into a younger state. It’s often used as a coping mechanism for stress, trauma, or anxiety, but it can also be a natural way for someone to feel safe and comforted.
## **What is Age Play?**
Age play is more like **role-playing**—adapting behaviors to act younger, but without actually regressing mentally. A person engaging in age play still feels **fully capable of making adult decisions** and is aware that they are role-playing. While it may look similar to age regression from the outside, the internal experience is different. Age play can be healing and valid in its own right, often providing a space to de-stress and have fun.
## **What is OSDD?**
OSDD (Otherwise Specified Dissociative Disorder) is a dissociative disorder where a person has **two or more personality states**. Unlike DID (Dissociative Identity Disorder), where parts can have distinct personalities and significant memory loss between them, my version of OSDD is **more fluid**. My parts are all versions of me—just at different stages of life.
I have:
- **A little/princess version of me**
- **A teenage version of me**
- **An older, wiser version of me**
- **The “me” that everyone sees**
- **Other parts that are quiet due to medication**
Not everyone with OSDD has an active **inner child that demands to be seen**—but I do. That’s why I feel at home in the **littlespace community** rather than just in the mental health space.
## **Why I’m in the CGL/DDLG Community**
Some might wonder why I choose the **CGL/DDLG** community instead of the **age regression** community. The answer is simple:
1. **My little self feels at home here.** Whether it's due to past experiences or just her natural curiosity, she feels more **comfortable exploring herself** in an environment where her body is accepted and she doesn’t have to pretend to be something she’s not.
2. **She isn’t as innocent as this post may make her seem.** While she is childlike in many ways, she is still **part of an adult body with adult experiences**. That complexity makes the CGL community feel like a better fit.
## **How My Experience is Different from Age Regression**
Unlike voluntary age regression, I **always** have a little voice in my head. It’s not something I "turn on" or "turn off"—it’s **a constant presence**. Even when I’m not fully in littlespace, my little side is always influencing my thoughts.
When I **fully slip into littlespace**, it’s both **freeing and scary**.
- **Freeing** because it feels like my truest, rawest self shining through.
- **Scary** because I know I don't always make the best choices in that state.
Most of the time, I exist in **co-fronting mode**, where my **adult self and little self are both present**. This is safer and more manageable, but it feels **less authentic** than fully slipping into littlespace.
## **How My Littlespace Feels**
When I’m fully little, I feel:
- **Bubbly, giggly, and energetic**
- **Easily entertained and fascinated by the world**
- **Safe, comforted, and free**
But it can also be:
- **Scary**—feeling alone, unsure how to take care of myself
- **Vulnerable**—like I need someone to guide me
- **Hard to remember**—when I return to my adult state, my memories feel muddy, like wading through thick water
## **How Daddy Supports Me**
Daddy plays a huge role in keeping me safe. When he **announces that I can be little**, my brain takes it as permission to let go. It reassures me that he’s **in charge**, and I don’t have to manage everything myself.
He helps by:
- Making decisions when I struggle
- Setting boundaries and keeping me safe
- Allowing me to take breaks from being "big"
- Making sure all my parts feel loved and cared for
In many ways, **I am my own caregiver**, just as much as Daddy is. It’s my responsibility to:
- Communicate my needs when I can
- Surround myself with safe, understanding people
- Respect and honor my little self, rather than pushing her away
## **Common Misconceptions & Judgments**
Surprisingly, I’ve found that the **BDSM community** is **more accepting** of my experience than some age regression communities. The biggest judgment I’ve seen comes from people who **don’t understand the sexual aspect of CGL/DDLG**.
But the truth is:
- Littles **can** be part of BDSM and still be valid.
- Littles **can** have complex relationships with their littlespace.
- Littles **can** be both **mentally young and still aware of adult desires**—it’s not black and white.
## **Advice for Others Who Relate**
If you think your experience with littlespace is different, or that you might have a dissociative disorder, here’s my advice:
1. **Talk to a trusted therapist or advisor.** Understanding your mind is **the most important first step**.
2. **Find the right community for you.** Whether it’s age regression, CGL/DDLG, or the OSDD/DID community—finding a place where you feel accepted is **life-changing**.
3. **Be patient with yourself.** Understanding your own headspace takes time, and that’s okay.
No two people experience littlespace the same way. But by talking about it, we can create **more understanding, more acceptance, and more safe spaces** for everyone.
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**Final Thoughts**
This post was deeply personal, but I wanted to share my experience to **normalize different ways of being little**. If you relate, know that you’re not alone. There’s a place for you, and there’s a community that will accept you.
What are your thoughts? Have you ever felt different in your littlespace? Let’s talk in the comments!
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