Language is a tool used to put experiences into words.
Not all systems use these words to describe their experiences.
Always use the language that an individual prefers.
plural / multiple
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someone who experiences plurality / multiplicity / being a system
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e.g. I’m plural, we’re multiple
a system
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a group of people living in one body
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e.g. I’m a system, there are 8 people in our system
a singlet
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someone who is not plural / a system
a systemmate / headmate / alter
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an individual in a system
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e.g. Murphy is an alter in my system
fronting
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being the most present or in control of the body
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e.g. Leona fronted for most of yesterday
switching
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coming to the front or back of the consciousness, from fronting to not fronting
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e.g. Murphy was eating an apple and then Pyra switched in
co-consciousness
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observing the front alongside the current fronter
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e.g. Ditto was co-con with Leona yesterday
a positive trigger
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something that triggers a systemmate to switch in or come forward
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e.g. Hearing Florence & the Machine is a positive trigger for Lea
passive influence
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when a systemmate who isn't fronting is able to affect the current fronter
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e.g. Murphy got excited about toys today because Child A was around
system responsibility
• the idea that the entire system is responsible for any one systemmate's actions
• e.g. Even though "Systemmate A" hurt this person's feelings, we will make the situation right regardless of which systemmate hurt their feelings.
other phrases
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I feel switchy = I might switch soon
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We're blurry = We don't know who is fronting / Multiple people are fronting
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Some systems formed due to trauma, neglect, neurodivergence, or other difficult situations.
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Some systems formed spontaneously, intentionally, or due to multiple factors.
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Some systems don't know why they formed or don't care to know.
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Some systems are aware of their plurality - some are not.
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Some systems are public about their plurality - some are private.
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Some systems have strong amnesia - some have very little or none.
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Some systems switch often - some don't switch often or even at all.
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Some systems are as small as two systemmates - some have hundreds.
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Some systems get along well with each other like a family - some don't or are acquaintances.
No system is the same.
There are as many ways to be a system as there are ways to be a human.