The Parts Work
Inside our minds is a reality of many different parts. For example, a friend may ask you to dinner and a part of you may want time together, but another part might prefer to rest alone. Or you're feeling restless and a part of you wants an adventure, but another part is scared to take risks. Or you're in a relationship with someone you love and are committed to, but another part of you misses being single and free. Parts are like different characters inside us that have different wishes and needs which live in our subconscious.
Experiences in life, like pressures, demands, expectations or unexpected situations can trigger these characters out of the subconscious and into action. What those actions look like along with the consequences have a lot to do with what happened to you in the past and sometimes even further back in your family history.
This approach of getting to know the characters, your subpersonalities, comes from an evidence-based therapy called Internal Family Systems. It is a powerful method that can provide a great sense of relief and understanding about why parts of you do what they do even if the outward appearance seems hurtful or harmful.
As we explore the parts, we will also get to know a dimension of your system called the Self – this can be understood as your best, highest, or true self. The Self has qualities like calmness, curiosity, courage, compassion, joy, and natural confidence and everyone has it but we tend not to operate from this deeper place. Often our parts take the lead in our system obscuring our true Self like clouds covering over the shine of the sun. This method in working with the personality system of parts will enable you to have more true Self energy by helping parts of you feel less anxious and depressed. You can live feeling less burdened which ultimately makes life more enjoyable.
To learn more, watch this video of the founder of Internal Family Systems:
Other great resources to learn more:
Australian Psychological Society: Internal Family Systems Therapy