Integration vs. Functional Multiplicity
A storm’s a’brewing out there in Dissociative Land.
I want to live as One Whole.
No, I want to live as Many Parts.
The competitors square off and take their sides. Passionately. Fiercely. Sometimes they’re outside people defending they’re turf. Sometimes they’re inside parts of our system, disagreeing on how to live One Life.
For just a moment, I’m the referee. Move in from your corners, friends, and take a seat. Breathe deeply. Relax. Living life as a dissociative person can take many shapes and forms. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. We aren’t a continuum of manifestations, we’re a collage of many sizes, shapes, colors, and presentations. Our task as survivors is to heal from the wounds of the past and create a new life without fear and pain built on the knowledge of ourselves. It is possible. In time. You (singular) will prevail. You (plural) will prevail.
Let me tell you a story. Let me tell you MY story, which will be different from your story but still may shed some light on the match-of-the-century between integration vs. functional multiplicity. First of all, I consider myself integrated, using the Merriam Webster Dictionary definition of the word, which is to form, coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified whole. I usually navigate life as One Whole. It wasn’t my choice to integrate, it was my parts’ choice; apparently they liked life better when I was in control.
Secondly, in my experience my parts have never fully gone away, and how could they? If the structural theory of dissociation is correct, having parts is the way my brain was formed when I was a very small child. Some of my parts, on occasion, come forward to tell me something important. When I published my memoir, Crazy: Reclaiming Life from the Shadow of Traumatic Memory in 2022, the fallout broke my formerly-integrated system open again, and I engaged in therapy with some of my “old timers” who needed to re-litigate the past, as well as with some “newcomers” who made themselves known. During that period of time, I experienced life as Many, but now I’m One Whole once again.
Finally, I disqualify the word “fusion,” which is used in place of integration in some circles. Fusion conjures up images of steel welded on steel in a permanent bonding and I reject that possibility, at least for me. Maybe some of you have experienced that sort of firm adhesive, but I prefer the gentle coming together in the dance between One and Many. It’s natural, organic, effective, even beautiful.
In my humble opinion, pitting integration against functional multiplicity is the fraud-of-the-century. There’s really no reason for a fight. As far as I can tell, our healed selves can thrive, whether as One or as Many. Our task, then, is to heal our wounds so we can live a good life however we choose. Our systems will collaboratively figure it out. Your life will most definitely look different from mine and that’s as it should be. We are the collage, not the continuum. Cry in anguish, dance in joy, and everything in between. Live as One, live as Many, live as Both.
The storm’s passed us by, and the challengers have gone home. The sun’s peeking out, and there’s no match to be had. Just one life to live. All is well.
Focused Writing Group Begins on April 1!
The Board of Dissociative Writers is excited to announce a new weekly workshop called Focused Writing beginning Monday, April 1st, 12 noon Eastern (11 am Central, 10 am Mountain, 9 am Pacific). Focused Writing will be exactly what it says: between 90-120 minutes of writing on Zoom with your peers. We’ll work on our own projects for 20-25 minutes stretches punctuated by short check-in breaks, then write for 20-25 minutes more, and so on. (There will be no breakout groups, sharing of writing or feedback. Just focused writing among friends!) This is a great way to hold ourselves accountable to ourselves and our group. Writing done in Focused Writing may be an extension of a prompt you began in Writing-in-Place or work you want to submit to Traditional. Or, you may just want to use the time to write poetry, memoir, or a project of your own making. If you have questions, email Lyn here. Look for the link on the Groupeasy Calendar. We hope to see you there!
March & April Events
(To access these workshops and meetings, please go to the Groupeasy Calendar, click on the Event/Date, then click on the Zoom link.)
Tuesday, March 19, 1:00 pm Eastern: Writing-in-Place Workshop (Kim)
Wednesday, March 20, 8:00 pm Eastern: Evening Writing-in-Place (Surita)
Thursday, March 21, 6:00 pm Eastern: Social Hangout (JJ)
Tuesday, March 26, 1:00 pm Eastern: Traditional Writing Workshop (Sharri)
Monday, April 1, 12:00 noon Eastern: Focused Writing Group (Rotating Facilitation)
Tuesday, April 2, 1:00 pm Eastern: Writing-in-Place (Kim)
Wednesday, April 3, 8:00 pm Eastern: Evening Writing-in-Place (Surita)
Monday, April 8, 12:00 noon Eastern: Focused Writing Group (Rotating Facilitation)
Monday, April 8, 6:30 pm Eastern: DW Business Meeting
Tuesday, April 9, 1:00 pm Eastern: Traditional Writing Workshop (Sharri)
Monday, April 15, 12:00 noon Eastern: Focused Writing Group (Rotating Facilitation)
Tuesday, April 16, 1:00 pm Eastern: Writing-in-Place (Kim)
Wednesday, April 17, 8:00 pm Eastern: Evening Writing-in-Place (Surita)
Thursday, April 18, 6:00 pm Eastern: Social Hangout (JJ)
Monday, April 22, 12:00 noon Eastern: Focused Writing Group (Rotating Facilitation)
Tuesday, April 23, 1:00 pm Eastern: Traditional Writing Workshop (Sharri)
Monday, April 29, 12:00 noon Eastern: Focused Writing Group (Rotating Facilitation)
Tuesday, April 30, 1:00 pm Eastern: Writing-in-Place (Kim)
🕊️
All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.
~ Julian of Norwich
Lyn