pluralexperiences

[pluralexperiences]

I just desperately want more recognition of traumagenic experiences that lie outside of the usual "childhood abuse" assumption that everyone forces on that label. what about trauma from bullying? what about trauma from undiagnosed illnesses? what about trauma from queer experiences like transphobia? what about trauma from medical experiences like surgeries, hospitalizations, psych wards, and other areas where the medical field failed you? what about trauma from eating disorders? what about trauma from racism?

there are so many experiences that can fall under traumagenic, but are yet swept under a rug in favor of a strict, stereotypical narrative that's easier to comprehend. I think we as a community need to make an active effort to expand our understanding of traumagenic, especially where it may overlap with experiences traditionally considered endogenic, and understand that trauma can come in so many different forms. so often people are shunned for trying to create roles and labels that describe their specific traumagenic experiences, and I don't understand why. there can be no progress towards acceptance for all systems if we don't accept that traumagenic is an umbrella label too.

[pluralexperiences]

As awareness of plurality continues to spread online, that also means more and more people will realize they are plural. And unfortunately, there will be a response from certain gatekeepy exclusionist types, who will push back against these newfound systems and insist on invalidating them. They’ll insist they’re just hopping on a trend, or just fooling themselves, or whatever other justification they can make up to maintain the idea that being plural is extremely rare and being plural means suffering for it.

Don’t fall for it. Being plural presents challenges and difficulties without question, but being plural also can bring joys and clarity that weren’t possible otherwise. Being plural can be hard, and it can be beautiful.

No two systems present and function exactly the same ways. No two systems are plural for the exact same reasons. So we can’t expect there to be an absolute common trait present in every system. So any attempt to weed out the “fakers” is pointless and malicious.

If someone believes themself to be plural, they have good reason to. No further “proof” needed. If someone comes to us believing themself to be plural, we will help them along without critique or question. And above all we will be happy for them. Even if someday they realize they aren’t plural, that process of being allowed to question and experiment is so important, and they should be allowed to do so regardless of where they end up.

Plurality is a spectrum that encompasses a vast swathe of experiences and outlooks. It can be difficult to reckon with, which is why community is so vital. And as that community online grows and becomes more and more visible, we should all do our part, systems and singlets, to make sure these newfound systems feel safe, seen, and welcome.

[pluralexperiences]

I enjoy being plural because it means I get to have a friend to do the dishes with when I need to do them. We sing together in cofront while doing chores, and while we cannot sing together as separate bodies would, I believe a duet is best sung in unison when it's from the same throat.

[pluralexperiences]

lettin' a hollar out t'those with predominantly brainmade members.

we're predominantly brainmades too. even if some of us (like myself) have a faceclaim of an already existin' guy, doesn't mean we're any less brainmade. i don't see brainmades gettin' enough love out there. y'all show them some love, y'hear? - 🩸💀

[pluralexperiences]

It's okay to want to be plural. It's okay to love being plural! It's okay to love those in your system, it's okay to be happier working as a team. There is joy in being plural for so many people - for some, it comes from the start, and for others, they have to claw and fight for it. Either way, it's okay to be proud! It's okay to find happiness in plurality. Healthy multiplicity is real

[pluralexperiences]

🎵 It's always really cool to me hearing about other systems' headspaces/innerworlds. Ours is a combination of a dense forest and a city. There are no roads, the buildings are just in amongst the trees. But I've talked to folks for whom it's a pastel void, a planet, a station, a ship, or an island, among other things. It's just really neat to hear about.

[pluralexperiences]

Plural culture is appreciating and loving your local persecutor+protector+anger holder so fucking much even though they mess up plenty. Ours has such a hard job to do but all he ever wants is to try to help, and we care about this guy SO FUCKING MUCH MAN (he is NOT a fan of us fawning over him rn but we can NEVER appreciate him enough for what he does for us)

.

[pluralexperiences]

[pluralexperiences]

Someday the average experience for a system discovering their plurality is going to be joy and understanding. Someday it is going to be commonplace for systems to introduce themselves as systems. Someday it will be rare for a person to not know a single system in their community. Someday we are going to have so many role models that young plurals will be able to pick and choose their favorites for every field or hobby they express even a hint of interest in. Someday we are going to have grandparents reminiscing to their grandchildren about what it was like to be a system back in their day. Someday this community will look back and be astonished that we ever lived like we did now. Someday plurality will be so well-known it will be common knowledge and a casual topic. Someday systems will be able to talk about their plurality casually and without fear. Someday support will be given without hesitation, accomodations without hoops, and acceptance without question. Someday we are going to get that damn pride parade, those abstract murals on the walls, those colorful posters in the classrooms, that tacky jewelry with our symbols, those flags hung outside homes, and so many other shows of victory and progress, and plural pride week will be looked forward to by so, so many as a time of celebration and community.

The history we are creating today will be valued tomorrow. Thank you all for being part of this wonderful community; your presence alone makes a difference and is valued beyond what words can express. The future is plural!!!

[pluralexperiences]

There definitely like Are systems who thought they were endogenic but realized they were traumagenic but the anti-endo rhetoric of "even if you think you're not traumatized you must actually be secretly traumatized and just repressed it otherwise you're an ableist and a faker and an attention seeker" is uh, Profoundly Fucked Up, Actually

Going up to strangers who say they experience multiple people living in their head and saying "actually you must have some horrific mind-shattering trauma you don't remember" is, well, I just don't think it's very good for them, best case scenario is they're truly endogenic and know better than to believe some random asshole online, worst case scenario is they go digging and unearth trauma they were not ready to process and have a mental health crisis, all just so randos online can deem them "uwu valid"

[pluralexperiences]

Hello, endogenic systems!! You are so cool!! You are a valued part of this community!! I hope you have a good day and get some good news!!

[pluralexperiences]

one really frustrating system experience is knowing that you’ve switched but having no idea who’s fronting now.

is it a member we know of, and they’re just acting a little weird?

is it a brand new member?

is it a member that’s been around for a while but we just didn’t know about them?

is it several members co-fronting and blending together?

it’s difficult not being able to pinpoint who’s who, and it’s a problem that’s very uniquely plural.

[pluralexperiences]

it’s normal for internal communication to vary depending on the day.

some days, you may hear your headmates all day and be able to talk to them easily.

other days, you may not be able to hear anyone at all, and not get any responses when you reach out.

that’s normal, especially in systems with dissociative barriers. if you haven’t heard anything recently, don’t stress about it and try again tomorrow.

[pluralexperiences]

Me: I need coping mechanism

Brain: We have coping mechanism at home

Coping mechanism at home: pk;m new

[pluralexperiences]

I love systems who make picrews and pinterest boards and playlists for different headmates, systems who have different styles of clothes and makeup depending on who got ready in the morning, systems who are unapologetic in their plurality and joyful in their expression.

[pluralexperiences]

shoutout to the time our friend was going to address me but said the name of every frequent fronter but me. 10/10, truly a grandma-trying-to-remember-your-name moment, I couldn't even be mad bc I was too busy laughing