What is an inner world and why do DID systems have them? Well, DID systems have alters and these alters need a safe place to be or live. This place is inside the body or mind and isn't a physical environment. This place is different for all systems and their is no right or wrong inner world. These places are safe and contained so that all alters can be there if they wish to be. This is also where NPCs or Pets can be found. (see my types of alters post for info about NPCs).
Some inner worlds are too personal for people to talk about so please don't expect that everyone will be open to talking about this subject. Inner worlds can be as big as whole universes, or as small as a box. There can be houses, trees, lakes, streets, mountains, caves and even blackholes. Whatever the individual needed during trauma time; that is what will create the inner world. These places can be set in present day, past, or even future! Everyones inner world will be completely unique and special to that system.
So, what is our inner world like?
We have a house, a shop, a backyard with campfire area and basketball court, a void and one NPC. The house is for all alters except for the host/original in our case. There is a kitchen, bathroom, lounge area, hallway and bedrooms. This is pretty normal but the whole front of the house is blocked off with a thick glass wall that the alters inside can't pass through and the host (Me/ Jen) can't get into the house through. This allows us to see each other but not have direct contact. The are that I am trapped in is not only seperate from the house but also completely empty, dark, cold and numb. It's what we call 'the void' and is just a constant state of dissociation. moving on from that area, we have a candy store that is pink and other pastel colours. This store is for everyone and everything inside has healing properties to protect and help alters feel safe, happy and well. The littles are very safe in this space and love it as you could imagine haha. There is a backyard type of are with a field, bench, campfire, basketball court, vege-garden and trampoline. There are nice shady trees spaced out to give everyone a nice place outside to sit and relax.
So I will have a picture below of a diagram showing the inner world house/void area to make it easier to understand.
I really hope that seeing the image is helpful and makes things easier to imagine or understand. This is of my personal inner world and as I said before, there are so many types of inner worlds and not one is better than the other.
NPCs do call inner worlds home and they only exist there. One of my littles, Henry, has a T-Rex called Max and he lives in Henrys room. Izzy also has a pet, hers is a Raven called Midnight and lives in her room with her.
I will not be showing our candy store, garden or any details of the house further than the diagram. This is purely because these are safe places and need to be kept that way. Not all alters feel happy with the idea of everyone knowing every single detail of their home. This needs to be respect and understood.
I really really hope that you enjoyed learning about inner worlds and about mine in particular. Feel free to share your inner world either in the comments or on my instagram @diaryofapsycho1
Love you all so much and remember to smile,
Jen xx
Please note that I am not a professional and can not make professional claims. I apologise for any spelling or grammar issues as usual I was a bit dissociated through this post.