System Documentation

Understanding your system is a life-long process that will evolve as you grow and learn. Sometimes, learning about your system can actually trigger restructuring to occur. This can look like system members changing in some way (such as a role shift, or entering or leaving dormancy), the “map” of the system changing, internal relationships/dynamics changing, new or moved additions/subtractions to headspace, new system mechanics related to communication or something else, and more.

Because of this, we recommend checking in with your system regularly. It doesn’t have to be frequent, just regular intervals to check in with how you’ve changed. Once every three to four months is a great goal, but you should pick whatever you think is most effective for you.

As a note, a lot of systems (especially dissociative systems) are prone to hide parts or even their entire existence from some or all system members. This means it can be extremely hard at the start of your journey, though it typically gets easier over time as you practice awareness. For some people, it may always be difficult, but it is possible to learn workarounds for these difficulties.