#headspaces

[interstellarsystem]

Hi there, I've got a question relating to being alterhuman, and your system seems to be well educated on the subject.

Do members of your system appear to be nonhuman in your systems innerworld? I've been questioning being alterhuman myself, and in our innerworld I've got aspects of myself that are nonhuman, feline and canine in nature.

I was wondering if that's a form of being alterhuman? I'm also a fictive, if that helps. In our innerworld I've got feline and canine appearances, but I didn't have them in my canon/timeline, and they only appeared after I "spawned" into the system.

If you've got anymore resources on alterhumanity, I would also appreciate that, as I'm trying to learn more about the community.

Thanks. -bluexfires

Hey!

The bottom line is... If you experience it, it can happen--because yeah, it happened to you! But to elaborate...

Our system members can appear to be nonhuman in headspace. Most of us are, due to us being introjects of nonhuman characters or things. When we experience mental shifts to our kintypes, often we end up changing our headspace form to match. For example, someone may be Sonic the Hedgehog in headspace because they're a fictive, but when they have a mental shift, they change forms to thier dragon kintype.

Now, with your experience, yeah I'd say that can count as alterhuman. But I'd like to let you know that "alterhuman" and "nonhuman" mean different things.

Alterhuman: An identity that doesn't fit within the societal norms of humanity.

This can include nonhumans, but it can also include people who are otherhearted (those with a strong connection to a nonhuman entity but are not nonhuman themselves), have hearthomes (those with a strong connection to a place/world they've usually never been to), systems, fictionfolk who identify as human fictional characters, etc.

It's a bit confusing, but here's a link to the coining post that explains a little more in-depth.

Nonhuman: A person/entity who is not human in some way.

This can be a type of alterhumanity, and you can be both human and nonhuman at once, but this at a baseline means some part of your identity is not human at all in some way.

With that nuance explained... Would you be alterhuman for having gained nonhuman features since joining your system? You could absolutely call it that! You'd also be able to consider yourself alterhuman on the basis of being a system or a fictive alone if you'd like to use that label--the community is yours if you choose. Could you be nonhuman because of those features? Well, that's a little trickier, but really that decision on if you "count" enough is up to you--and remember, you can absolutely be both. Or even label it as human+.

I recommed Alterhumanity For Beginners as a resource if you'd like to learn more. Beyond Humanity may also be of use to you.

Good luck with the questioning--I hope I was able to provide some insight.

[plural-affirmations]

Here's to headspace exomemories!

In complex dissociative disorders, headspaces/innerworlds are often defense mechanics a young child comes up with to feel safe. But, for you, it might just be somewhere to hang out with your headmates! Both are normal experiences, and should be appreciated!

Shoutout to:

Funny headspace moments, like inside jokes and such

Violence of some sort, whether "cartoonish" violence or real violence (we have experience with this, shoot us an ask if you're in a similar situation or need advice)

Sad moments, like headmates going dormant

Happy moments, such as getting to hug your loved ones

Anything else I missed!

Headspaces can be full of whimsy, joy, grief, and every emotion in between. Take some time today to appreciate yours, too, if you have one!

Stay safe!

🖤💜💙💚💛

[multiplicity-positivity]

do you have any tips for making a more welcoming/friendly headspace? over the past four years where we've known about our plurality, every headspace we've succeeded in creating has been... kind of gloomy, and impersonal, almost? one was a dimly lit room with dark hallways and such, and everything looked kind of run down and broken. our current one is a lot more clean and purposeful, but it kind of has the same energy as a school or work building, with cold overhead lights and very little decoration. it also has the same issue with long hallways that look kind of creepy and ominous. these places have/had pretty chill vibes i think, but they look like the setting for a psychological horror movie, despite the fact that we didn't originally visualize them that way •́⁠ ⁠ ⁠‿⁠ ⁠,⁠•̀

-🦇/🦀

Hiya! We think that headspaces can work a bit differently for different systems, but visualization and imagination are usually big parts of the headspace-creation process! They might sometimes need to require some conscious maintenance in order to preserve their vibes. Occasionally areas of our own headspace can get a bit fuzzy or change in unwanted ways if we don’t spend time consciously working on them and adjusting them to reflect how we want them to appear! >w<

That being said, maybe y’all can try setting aside some time like once a week or something to work on changing the vibes of your headspace? By doing things like imagining what you want for your headspace or even actively doing construction work internally!

If you’re looking for inspiration, Pinterest and Unsplash are both great places to search for images that fit a certain aesthetic, scenery, or vibe! And we also set up the blog @headspace-visuals recently where we will do our best to help folks find some images to help inspire their headspace building process :33

If you haven’t before, it could be useful to check out some guides on building headspaces! In our headspace post we include links where folks can learn more about headspaces with tips for building their own >w<

Headspaces can be really really vast, and I do think some systems have headspaces which are not so easily adjusted or changed. We aren’t sure how y’all’s headspace works, but if you find you can’t really consciously change much about your headspace, maybe y’all could try leaving to find a different area to settle? And keep in your mind an idea of what you’d like to find ideally so that you’re more likely to stumble across it? Idk, this is just a thought!

But we do hope this helps somewhat! We hope y’all can find success with improving the vibes of your headspace! And if anyone else who reads this has tips for 🦇/🦀, please feel welcome to share! :3

[itsokimnotrealeither]

Is the word 'headspace' confusing when I use it?

It's not a plural-only thing, but people assume it is

Would it be less confusing if I called mine like a mindscape or... idk I'd need to find a word I like

[sophieinwonderland]

about the sentiment headspace poll, bc it says explain

we don't know if our headspace is settled or if we would consider it sentient if it was because we still have a lot of headspace amnesia, so even we know, front doesn't

our headspace is largely based on / modelled after a dark oak mansion from Minecraft, but also had elements of la casita from Encanto. No one built it or chose for it to look like that, it just happened, and I think some people would consider that enough to call it sentient. but when we think of a sentient headspace we think of… casita. it moves and interacts with the characters, participating in singing and dancing and morning routines. but we don't know if our headspace is sentient in that way, mostly we just have reports that it's colourful like casita.

however I can definitely see it being sentient in the sense that like, the coffee bar in the front lobby has no baristas and makes the coffee itself. books appear in the library without anyone thinking about them. stuff like that…

@hydor-soa

Thanks for the addition!!! 😁

[acorviart]

not to sound like a boomer, but I need some people to learn how to write emails in a semi-professional (at the very least) format so you're not cold emailing a business/potential employer/any other stranger about formal matters in the exact same way you'd DM a close friend on instagram

the formality/language can loosen up in the email chain once you've established a rapport and you match the other person if they're being less formal, but please don't have the very first email you send a stranger be written in all lowercase ultra-casual sms slang with no greeting or signature and a billion emojis

[thestuffedalligator]

Hmmmm hm. Okay. Worldbuilding/story idea.

One million years after humanity disappears, octopi and ravens have independently developed sapience. And one day an octopus child and an elder raven meet at the edge of the ocean.

Where is your mother and father? asks the raven. I have no mother or father, says the octopus, blushing pale. All octopi are children. Once we’re grown, we will mate and we will die. It is the first and the last thing our mothers tell us.

But that’s horrible, says the raven. It’s not all bad, says the octopus. We play, we hunt, we make games for ourselves in the deep. Yes, but who remembers your songs? the raven says. Who passes down your stories?

What is a story? the octopus asks.

And the raven thinks about this question. And finally it says: A story is how you remember things in the past. It is how you know where you come from, and what happened before you were born. A story can be a warning, or it can be advice, or it can be a silly joke told to make you feel good. Someone remembers the story and tells it to the next generation, who remember the story and tells it to the generation after them.

And the octopus thinks about this answer. And finally it says: Can you tell me a story?

And the raven tells the octopus a story. And it’s a good story. And the next day the octopus returns and asks for another. The next day it brings its octopus friends, and the raven brings its raven friends, and many stories are shared on the edge of the ocean.

Months later, the octopus returns to the raven. I am grown, it says. I am returning to the sea to find a mate and lay my brood. I will not be coming back. I’m sorry.

I will miss your company, says the raven.

I have one thing to ask you, says the octopus. In time my children will come to the edge of the ocean. I would like you to tell them a story I have made. And when they have stories of their own, I would like your children to remember them and pass them down to my children’s children.

Of course, says the raven. What is your story about?

And the octopus thinks, and says: It is about an octopus child and an elder raven who meet at the edge of the ocean.

And this story has been passed down to this day.

[reader-twisted]

“It was an act of self-preservation — however misguided it was”.

[interstellarsystem]

We hardly ever talk internally, we do something we call "emotion thoughts". Or just "abstract communication".

Essentially, we kind of just... Give each other the emotional vibe of what we're trying to convey and it gets understood without needing to be translated into words. It's inherent knowledge as opposed to actual speaking, though it's easily translated into speech if we need to convey to someone outside the system what is being said.

I never really hear about internal communication that isn't, like, straight up talking. So, We're going to share ours.

We primarily internally communicate through image sharing. Like, You think up a picture in your mind, and we can share these pictures between one another.

Or we get a "I know" feeling between one another. Like "I know you said [insert thing]" instead of actually hearing someone.

We can talk to eachother, but, it quickly gets drowned out and fades no matter how physically close we may be or how alone we are.

[kensatou]

(✿◕‿◕) die (ꈍ ꒳ ꈍ✿)

[interstellarsystem]

9 and 10 for the ask game! <3/nf

Hey! These are from this ask game.

9. Who's your most mischievous headmate? (/silly)

Probably Mystery! Aside from the innate mischief that comes from being a part of an eldritch being that is the manifestation of the fear of madness... It's just a silly little guy who likes playing tricks. It also continuously leaves random trinkets around the house after it's fronted because it just likes looking at things and ends up leaving them there.

10. What's your headspace like?

We have a few, actually! They're separated by layers but we can mostly go between them when we want to. There's:

A forest with an icy cold mountain if you walk far enough

An ocean with some islands

A different forest with a castle, a town and a mansion hidden in the woods.

A city, complete with a cafe, casino + bar + arcade combination, a park, apartments and a library.

And more! It'd take a while to list, but we have descriptions of headspace areas on our neocities if you're interested.

Thanks for the ask!

[plural-affirmations]

Here's to systems who have different views of their headspace/innerworld between different people!

Sometimes, innerworlds can be perceived differently from headmate to headmate. So here's to:

Headmates who see their headspace more vividly than others

System members who have access to areas the others don't

People who can't access their innerworld for whatever reason

Those who don't have a headspace to begin with

Sysmates that live exclusively or primarily in their headspace

Those who have their personal areas, such as their own room, or somewhere they can do their hobbies

The ones who have fluctuating, inconsistent, or nonexistent internal appearances

Systems who have a paracosm as their headspace, or in addition to a different innerworld

Those who can only be interacted with by certain people (we have someone like that in our system!)

And anyone else I missed!

We think it's super cool that every system has their own experiences with their innerworlds, and we love hearing about them! Please drop us an ask if you're in the mood to share something about your headspace or related exomemories!

Have a great day, everyone!

🖤💜💙💚💛

[multiplicity-positivity]

All About Headspaces!

We thought it would be a good idea to write a post on headspaces (or inner worlds) as we understand them. This post will contain information that we’ve learned along with our personal experiences. No two headspaces work the same way, and no two systems will experience headspaces in a similar fashion, so don’t be alarmed if your system’s headspace functions differently from what we describe in this post!

What is a headspace?

A headspace (or inner world) is an imagined, fantasized place that exists within a person’s mind. Headspaces are not exclusive to systems - all sorts of people can build or create their own headspaces. Many created systems or paromancers may call their headspaces “wonderlands,” but they’re in essence the same thing. Any system member can start the process of visualizing a headspace, and as other members are included and collaborate together, their headspace can grow to involve the whole system and become a place of solace and rest.

The creation of mental “safe spaces” is often used in therapy for treatment of anxiety, PTSD, and other mental illnesses. When feeling overwhelmed, it can be immensely beneficial to have a gentle, peaceful place in your mind you can return to in order to calm down and relax. Headspaces are a skill taught in dialectical behavior therapy, and many therapists may incorporate building headspaces into their patients’ treatment plans.

Who can have a headspace?

Nearly everyone is capable of building and maintaining their own headspace! The one example we can think of for individuals who may struggle to create a headspace are folks with aphantasia. Since headspaces are visualization tools, those who are incapable of visualizing places within their mind might find themselves unable to create a headspace.

You don’t have to have DID in order to create a headspace, you don’t have to be a system, you don’t have to be traumatized or even struggle with mental illness! Headspaces are for everyone, regardless of ability or state of being.

Are headspaces the same as paracosms?

In our experience, if headspaces and paracosms are not the same, they are incredibly similar. Both are imagined worlds that exist within the minds of the people who create them. Our paracosm exists as a part of our headspace, and many other folks may find their paracosms are similarly connected to their headspaces!

Are headspaces physical places?

No, headspaces are imagined or fantasized places and only exist within the minds of those who create them. While experiences within the headspace may seem quite vivid or feel visceral and may even have physical consequences and effects on each individual, events that take place inside the headspace are not happening in a physical sense.

Some systems with particular spiritual beliefs may understand their headspaces as physical places which exist in alternate dimensions or somewhere else in the universe. While these individuals are deserving of having their experiences heard and taken seriously, most headspaces in fact do not function in this way.

How can I make my own headspace?

To start, try to find a calm, quiet environment where you can be by yourself for a while. Close your eyes, and try to imagine the first piece of your headspace. This can be an area like a beach or a meadow, or something simpler like a plant or a piece of furniture. As you imagine this space or item, ask yourself questions like:

- What does this place or object look like?

- What does it feel like? If I imagine myself touching the object, or the things in the place around me, what textures might I encounter?

- What does it smell like? What does it sound like? How does it make me feel?

Envision using all 5 of your senses to imagine this place or object. Once you have a pretty good idea of what it looks, feels, smells, and sounds like, spend a little time just sitting in your space or with your object. Then, take a break from visualizing. Later, come back to it and try to imagine everything exactly as you did before. By leaving and coming back to it regularly, you can help ensure your headspace can somewhat exist even when you’re not actively thinking about it!

If you need help finding inspiration for your headspace, you can turn to image sites like Pixabay, Unsplash, or Pinterest to help you discover what helps you feel calm and safe. If you have access to other members of your system, perhaps consult with them to see what they’d like to have in a headspace and what you could create that would help them feel safe and comfortable.

Once you are able to comfortably and reliably access the place or item you’ve created, feel free to repeat the process to add to your headspace! Our system created our headspace in this way, and by this point it is a vast world full of different areas for our alters to exist in when they’re not fronting. But it started with one room - a living room with quilts tossed over couches, rugs all over the floor, and big, bright windows with sunflower curtains. Gradually we added rooms, then an outside, turning it into a treehouse, and just kept expanding from there!

Wrapping up

We know this post doesn’t go into much detail, but we hope this is useful to folks as a bit of an introduction to headspaces, what they are, and how to go about making one! We’re including some links below to posts and articles about headspaces and inner worlds - hopefully they can help even more! Best of luck to y’all with your endeavors to create a headspace that fills you and your system with peace and comfort!

^ this link uses “tulpamancy” language - our system has switched to “paromancy” language, which is less racist and less culturally appropriative! the guides on tulpa websites are still quite useful, but we wanted to include a disclaimer on the terminology.

(Image ID:) A pale orange userbox with a cluster of multicolored flowers for the userbox image. The border and text are both dark orange, and the text reads “all plurals can interact with this post!” (End ID.)

[egophiliac]

get 'em before they melt!

(the flavors are 99% vibes + first thought only thought, don't take them too seriously)

[cainternn]

deadpool and wolverine thoughts