#plural-adjacency

[the-indigo-symphony]

What Does Plural-adjacent Mean?

[PT: What Does Plural-adjacent Mean? / end PT]

I and other blogs have mentioned this concept multiple times, or at least used the term, but I don't think any of us have ever actually sat down and talked about or given a definition for it, so I'm going to do that today. What does "plural-adjacent" mean? Where does it come from?

"Plural-adjacent" is a term meant to encompass all experiences that are, well, adjacent to plurality. Experiences that may not neatly fall under plurality, or be personally identified as such, but still mirror, echo, are similar to, or are reminiscent of plurality in some way. Plural-adjacent may also be described as when you aren't plural yourself, but hold some strong connection to plural experiences or the plural community through your own lived experience(s). Some examples of plural-adjacent experiences are voice hearing, some forms of deity work, and imaginary friends. Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list; there are lots more examples (and experiences) that can be considered plural-adjacent out there in the world, and whether one considers themself/ves to be plural-adjacent is up to them.

[PT: "Plural-adjacent" is a term meant to encompass all experiences that are, well, adjacent to plurality. / end PT]

To understand plural-adjacency, it may help to think of it less as looking for experiences that are strictly like the definition of "more than one self-aware self in a single body" or even just "more than one", and more like experiences that are similar to what plurality is like, includes, or involves. Taking from a personal example – the reason our occasional delusion of being a doll is plural-adjacent isn't because this particular delusion is like our systemhood; it's plural-adjacent because the experience of temporarily being or becoming someone/something else is very reminiscent of switching in plurality, especially since it often occurs in times of high stress. Another example would be how things like talking to spirits, having imaginary friends, or being POSIC are similar to internal communication and the specific experience of being able to communicate with entities that others do not know are there/cannot sense.

Our system was the one to coin plural-adjacent, although we've never made an official post about it before. I believe the first time we mentioned it online was in an anonymous ask to @sophieinwonderland,* who has also taken to using the term. Since then, the term "system-adjacent" has also appeared in discussions where it would be applicable. We use this term as a system specific synonym to plural-adjacent. There's also, as you may have noticed, the term plural-adjacency, which is just the same concept as a noun. Occasionally, we use "adjacents" as shorthand to refer to those who are plural-adjacent.

The term "plural-adjacent" itself was inspired by our studies into Judaism and Jewish academia; in Jewish communities, the term "Jewish adjacent" is used to describe those who may not be Jewish themselves, but still hold some connection to the community or Judaism as whole, such as through marriage to a Jewish person. While plural-adjacent is not used in the exact same way, we still try to use it with respect to its origins.

To us, plural-adjacency means that although you may not share our exact identity, you are still free to consider yourself part of the community, and you are welcome to contribute to the conversation where you feel you may have something worth adding. To hold a community of both plurals and plural-adjacents means we celebrate both our similarities and differences; that we help and support each other; that we are united to forge our own paths even when the world tries to silence or stamp us out. At the time of writing this, there have been a number of recent posts about pluralphobia (the discrimination of people for being plural, whether assumed or actual). It's our hope that all plural and plural-adjacent folk can work together to combat pluralphobia, educate others, and at the end of the day, live happy lives as who we are without fear. We are stronger together, and our lives become that much richer when we embrace the variety and diversity of both plural and plural-adjacent experiences. It is a sharing of experiences, stories, lives, community, and common goals.

Of course, I'm not requiring anyone become a hardcore activist to use the term, or anything. I'm merely expressing a hope I have for all of us.

I suppose you can think of this post as the official coining post for plural-adjacent. I hope this helped explain the term and its origins!

* We've done our best to find the ask in question, since it was answered, but despite our best efforts, we can't seem to find it. We'd also like to add the disclaimer that it's completely possible others came up with this term on their own in other situations; however, we were unaware of any others using the term at the time of our first public usage and unofficial coining. Due to not remembering the exact time this ask was submitted or answered, we cannot be sure which usages were as a result of our idea spreading, and which were original. However, we can say for certain it's been a few years since our term was first put out there, since we starting more openly using the term starting in at least September of 2021, as you can see it in our pinned post on our @pluralprompts blog, which has remained largely unedited since it was first written.

[rawserhh]

paper system headcanons

[itsokimnotrealeither]

trying to get something started for people with imaginary friends, paras without paracosms, inner and outer visualizations, etc

Didn't find what I was looking for in Immersive Daydreaming or Tulpamancy places.

And there's an odd concept floating around that making a non-sentient thoughtform = cruel or unethical? Which seems backwards, if someone doesn't want or isn't prepared for that, it's like getting someone a pet rabbit for Easter when they're better off with a stuffed animal.

And while looking I've found people who have expressed interest, so...

Imagimancy (?)

(eh-maj-eh-manse-see)

Trying to make a community/tag for people with non-autonomous (or fauxtonomous) imaginaries and thoughtform constructs, NPCs and such.

similar to/overlap with: daemonism, tulpamancy, soulbonding, self-shipping, immersive daydreaming, willomancy, (etc)

considered more or less plural-adjacent

focusing more on visualization/imagination tips/talk, ideas for useful constructs, etc. No pushing people into making thoughtforms autonomous if they don't want to!

(currently very alterhuman heavy / ties to alterhumanity in general but isn't required or officially an alterhuman thing)

not trying to reinvent and re-label things, there's just a gap between communities here

[logicpng]

can you believe i had more of these accumulate

admittedly at a much slower pace than earlier but. also reposting the comic from earlier's aftermath on its own

[that-dreaming-dragon]

A silly funsie thing of my very rough, loose interpretation of alterhuman identities (just a couple of them) in a limited 2D visual representation.

Really, alterhumanity is probably 5D+ motion madness. At the very least, I'd imagine that constel is going around like its namesake.

(Posted as requested by @paracosmic-gt :D) (that grammar was weird, ugh. I donno how to fix it)

Terms below cut.

Likeness - What's on the tin, whatever you "share a likeness with". archive.md/2023.10.30-142647/https://extranth.tumblr.com/post/680195890861998080/okay-so-this-is-my-coining-but-again-its-not

Simile - "A simile (in the context of alterhuman identity) is a character, animal, concept, or object, which reflects or otherwise represents who you are, without actually being a part of your identity. A simile may be described as a metaphor for who you are."

Vaguetype[1][2] - An alterhuman identity that may fall into multiple categories, or if one has uncertainty or simply prefers not to define what all goes into a single identity.

Archetropy - An identity in which one performs the role, the title, the trope, or the narrative space one occupies and embodies.

Cameo (Shift) - A shift not of one's 'type. otherkin.wiki/wiki/Shifting

'Flicker - A brief, temporary identity.

Hearthome - "A place, whether real or imagined, to which a being has a deep and meaningful emotional connection, considering it their 'home.' This connection is strong, even if the being has not been raised or spent a significant amount of time in that particular location."

web.archive.org/web/20240907223441/https://blog.alt-h.net/post/154524344385/heart-is-where-the-home-is

Mirrortype - "A reflection of the ideal self".

Paratype - "an identity facet that only exists in relation to a preestablished identity".

Kardiatype - A past life [in] which [your] experiences had such an impact on you that it [wholly or partly] formed your core identity and personality, even to this day, [but] … you [DON’T] identify as the being from your past life anymore.

Constelic - Individuals "that adopt an identity(s) throughout their lives. Constelic individuals can have any number of constelic identities, and the amount might fluctuate throughout their lifetime. They aren't typically there at birth, instead being found and adopted later in life, and they oftentimes aren't permanent, though they can last a very long time." web.archive.org/web/20230519124625/https://constelic.carrd.co/

Heartedness - Identifying with something instead of as. To fully understand what that abstractness entails, I highly recommend reading Part I of Poppy's Simile essay.

Synpath - Something you identify with on several levels, which could be a concept that resonates really strongly with you, an animal or mythological creature you feel you act like, or a person or character you share a lot of common behaviors with, among other things. This often is used in synonymous to heartedness, but many do use it differently than hearttype.

'Linked - A intentionally made connection towards an identity, and can be later dropped as needed or desired. Usually, people only link identify-as identities, but there are folks like me who go beyond and link all sorts of alterhuman identities on the spectrum. web.archive.org/web/20180325235532/http://victiim-of-changes.tumblr.com/post/170162038800/otherlinkers-are-not-kin-but-voluntary I'm also avoiding the usage of "voluntary" because that's a whole mess within the community. A linked identity is the connection that you intentionally bridged, that's it.

Kinity - In which one identifies as a nonhuman species or character. otherkin.wiki/wiki/Otherkin

Therianthropy - In which one identifies as an animal. Essentially the same as being otherkind or fictionkind, just of different focus. Just in case, therian does mean any species that has animality within.

Any links that aren't embedded are due to external links not being able to be reblogged into the community. Please put the links directly into your URL bar or add https:// at the front.

[cdd-safe-haven]

A history of trauma can make peace feel like boredom

I'm bored.

Are you bored?

Maybe you're unsettled, unsure, anxious, or irritable

Maybe sometimes it feels like boredom

Why?

My entire life I searched for peace and calm, and I've always been told that happiness will follow it

So why am I unsatisfied?

Dr. Nicole LePera said this:

When leaving trauma cycles, expect to be bored. That’s a good sign. You’re leaving the cycle of emotion addiction:

When we’re used to cycles of chronic stress, drama, and overwhelm, we get stuck in fight or flight. Cortisol and adrenaline are a constant in the body.

We subconsciously seek this environment to feel alive or “like ourselves”.

...

When the body is coming out of chronic nervous system dysregulation, there is a transition phase. No longer getting constant spikes of cortisol we might feel bored, restless, or irritated.

Boredom is healthy. It does take some getting used to. You’ll be surprised at how much you subconsciously feel a pull towards emotional activation.

...

We have not evolved to be in cycles of chronic stress that never end.

It will be unfamiliar, at first. Soon, it will feel like peace.

Many trauma survivors report a vague sense of emptiness and boredom when they are not angry, under duress, or involved in activities that activate emotional responses. Reexposure to trauma is known to act as a pain reliever, equivalent to 8mg of morphine.

We crave the release of dopamine and endorphins that follow stress, something we're used to and understand-- something that makes us feel alive and active

The question then becomes,

Are there healthy ways to engage with activities that give you that "kick"?

I'd like to think there are.

Mindfulness, attention to the people in your close inner circles, and frequent breaks are just a few small steps.

Does anyone have any tips or stories? Maybe another perspective?

[daniablazin]

What are your favorite Galolio headcanons?

Oh, this is a tough one, but my fave is probably the idea that when it comes to demonstrations of love and affection, Galo's the one who does it more often/more easily. And I'm not talking about the more basic stuff like flirting or casual touches or kissing

I'm talking about Galo's buying Lio small gifts every other day just because it's something Lio might like, serenading him every other day just cause a song got stuck in his head and it makes Galo think of him, leaving him sweet notes on the fridge when he has to go out, etc

Galo's all sprinkles of affection (when it's not an Important Day™, in which case he's probably gonna go above and beyond) in a way that doesn't come off as easy to Lio, and over time, being on the receiving end really builds

And builds

And fucking builds

Until it EXPLODES and the next thing you know, he's bringing home a life-sized mecha figurine that might as well have cost an arm and a leg and no he doesn't CARE that they have no space for it, he'll MAKE SPACE because Galo deserves this, or serenading Galo under their window with Gueira and Meis playing the melody like the Mad Burnish trio have secretly been some sort of band the whole time even though they've never played together and the neighbours better not complain or they're gonna get A FEW CHOICE WORDS, or covering Galo up in stick-notes while he sleeps, each of them with different things Lio loves about him, and maybe a few more scattered around the place and yeah he may have spent all night awake doing this but it's FINE he can live off nothing but coffee for a day—

Point is

Lio gives back as good as he gets, but it's usually an explosive all at once kind of situation, and hoh boy does it take Galo off guard every time and makes him swoon and wanna be even more affectionate

[npdkondraki]

actually re: lrb; those "most voices arent reoccuring nor have distinct personalities" points in plural posts are soooooo funny bc im schizophrenic and yeah. mine do. i hear voices most of the time and i can say for certain they have distinct personalities and are reoccuring

[aceclipse]

still wild to me how majority of systems i meet and know have factives, yet factives themselves seem to be much less talked about and/or respected simply because they involve real people.

[flowersnax]

youve heard of which came first the chicken or the egg now get ready for which came first the oc or the headmate

[canonicallyplural]

There are a few characters I’ve thought of for this, but it’s usually more to do with splitting than being in the same head together. Like. If a character had their traits separated into different people, each of which being a personification would one(1) faset of the original character, that feels like plurality and alters. Even if each part was given like. A clone body for the duration of that. So. Does that count? Can I submit characters that split, even if they didn’t share a body while they were split?

Personally, I wouldn't count it as plural unless it's strongly implied they're still plural when physically fused. Like how Celeste strongly implied that Badeline was already there and would continue to exist as part of her once Madeline left the mountain.

Otherwise, I might consider it plural adjacent, but not necessarily canonically plural. (Although, I guess if you wanted to post something as "canonically plural-adjacent," I wouldn't stop you 😉.)

[aaaaaajdkwdnksnsjw]

SeunusID carrd update 01: terminologies

we updated the carrd to include terminologies. Most terms are borrowed from the polymind community with permission from its coiner. While some terms weve coined ourselves.

see the terms we made for seunusID below!

==General==

ID: A subpersonality with its own viewpoint, gender, pronouns, personality, thought voice, thought tone.

IDcollective/ Collective: A group of IDs or minds in a single body.

Cycle: an act of redistributing an ID traits into a new ID or Mind.

Inclusions: The characteristics or traits that an ID or mind has.

Separation: The act of separating the subpersonalities into their own IDs or minds.

Sub-ID: a traits of an ID grouped to form a new ID while keeping the existance of the parent ID. This may form an ID whos fluid in identity and may swap between identities.

TransientID: A temporary ID or mind that only lasts for a short time.

==Collective Origins==

Perse-: A prefix to tell from what or why an IDcollective formed.

Persecoping: An IDcollective that was formed to cope from trauma or a traumatic event.

Persecomfort: An IDcollective that was formed to comfort other IDs or minds.

Persefun: an IDcollective that was formed for fun.

Persevoid: An IDcollective who's origin is unknown.

PerseNOYB: an IDcollective who's origins is none of your business.

==Individual Origins aka Ego Type==

Ego-: A prefix that tells why or from what an individual ID or mind was formed.

Egocoping: An ID or mind that was formed to cope with trauma or a traumatic event.

Egocomfort: An ID or mind that was formed to comfort other IDs or minds. This can be to comfort a single ID/mind or many IDs/minds.

Egofiction: An ID or mind that was formed or is based off a fictional character/creature.

Egoanimalis: An ID or mind that is based off an animal.

Egolittle/egoteen: An ID or mind that is based off a younger version of an ID or mind.

Egoconcept: an ID or mind based off a concept.Egosong: an ID based off a song.

Egocolor: an ID based off a color.

Egovoid: An ID or mind whos origins is unknown.

==Cycle Types==

Cycle: an act of redistributing an ID or Mind's traits into a new ID or Mind.

Crebercycle: An IDcollective that frequently cycles or frequently creates new IDs or minds.

Raruscycle: An IDcollective that rarely cycles or rarely creates new IDs or minds after their initial seperation.

Nevercycle: an IDcollective that does not have any ID or minds added to their count since their initial seperation.

Trabeacycle: an IDcollective that is between crebercycle and raruscycle. where they may go on periods cycling/creating IDs or Minds frequent and also periods where they rarely create or cycle IDs or minds. It may also be that their creation/cycle frequency is in between rarely and frequently.

== Carrd link: ==

================================

Afternote:

Were not very good at making terms but we tried our best to make it coherent :"D. Were kinda proud of the terms but we know theres improvements to be made. We just grabbed the prefixes and suffixes from latin tbh.

anyway yeah we borrowed from the polymind community (with coiner's permission) since seunusID and polymind are synonyms and can work with each other. Dunno if this can even be called coining post when some words here are common and self explanatory lol.

Theres more we want to explain with Sub-IDs but were not sure how to word it. so thatll be for later when we find out how to.

[bubblegum-bros-sys]

Anatomy of Kris cause I’m an androgynous fuck

(Uncensored under the cut)

[pluralquotebook]

not a quote but ⚓ decided to send me an image of him looking like my mom and now i think he prefers it's new look over his old one. there's some sort of "your mom" joke here i think but also. absolutely terrifying /silly

- biohazard

.

[corpseybun]

So like are we just fucked if we ever want to date.

Bc being plural has scared friends away already. I can't imagine dating when there's sm pluralphobia (is that a thing?? Like, is that the right word? Idek man) out there.

[radically-therian]

that moment when your system is so big that you can have a proper ass parenting school iw and it has several students (mainly introjects who sucked at parenting in their sources) and then its run by an introject of the concept of a character based on videos you've seen with no understanding of the actual source material and it's like actually running properly and shit lmao

please help. I am just staring at Swamp (he deadass picked that name because of his source name or something) who's like the main teacher and wondering how he ended up teaching several incompetent parents how to be competent AND WHY THAT'S EVEN WHAT HE DECIDED TO DO WITH HIS TIME OF ALL THE POSSIBLE THINGS HE COULD HAVE DONE