So uh...any advice for someone who's newly realized they're plural?
I don't know why but I guess you just seem like the trustworthy and knowledgeable sort of person to ask about this
First, take things slow and don't rush anything. Name members, write down switches, come out to people all at the time right for you. Don't compare your syscovery timeline to others, focus on what's safe and make sense for you (y'all?) specifically. Every system is different.
Second, remember there aren't many rules beyong "don't hurt yourselves and others". Some systems have many members, some have only half a dozen. Some switch easy, some need certain triggers or aids with it, some don't switch at all. Some members are fully formed, some are not. Some come from fiction, some are based on real people, some on OCs, some just appear. Some aren't even sure about where they came from. Some systems use roles, some don't. Also, some alters in the system can like roles while others prefer to avoid them. Some systems have one train of thought, some have a few. Some dissociate a lot, some not all, and there is a whole spectrum in between. Some have a host, some don't. Some got their plurality due to trauma, some didn't. Some got there with a little bit of both. Some see their multiplicity as a disorder, some don't. Some see it as in-between, or only disordered or disabling in certain contexts. Some have a lot of amnesia between members and around childhood, some barely have any. This is also a wide spectrum. All of the above options are okay. Figure out what works for you!
Third, be nice to yourselves. Focus on just experiencing things first, observe and write things down with as little judgement as possible. Disntingushing between what is distressing because it's not good for you or because of social pressure comes later. For now just write down "this makes us feel good", "this feels bad", "not sure how we feel about this", etc. There is no need to know everything right away. And for the love of all that is holy, do not try to dig up your trauma without a decent, non-ableist and non-sanist professional or at least a support system. Trying to prime and prod at your trauma at the beginning of your syscovery is a bad idea, especially with other health issues or disabilities. There is no need for you to do this to "prove your validity", and people telling you otherwise aren't safe for you. Digging up trauma can come later, and is not mandatory. Keep your safety in mind.
Fourth, we highly recommend at least a diary or journal of some sorts. It could be a voice log, a notebook, a private discord server just for your system, a notes app or a digital diary. Some plurality management and tracking apps have a journal option as well. Writing stuff down is especially important with large amnesia barrier, it helps you remeber thigs. A calendar that you check reguralry, either digital or paper one, is useful too.
Fifth, you can use apps to track stuff, but you don't have to. We personally use Plural Log (link) and Plural Space. The former is our main tracker with a journal built in, and the latter is a secondary one, mostly for noting down our seizures. We have yet to find an app that's both avaliable in our country and has the accesibility features we need for just seizure tracking. Similarly, there is a discord bot that lets you talk as a specific alter, Pluralkit (link). We personally use it a lot, but feel no obligation to use it. And only put in the information you want to. Not every member needs a profile picture, or a description, or a specific role, or a set colour, or even a name or pronouns. Just put down information you are comfortable sharing and/writing down.
Sixth, find a healing goal that you want, if you want one at all. Do not pick one that would make your family happy, or your doctors happy, or your friends, or lovers, or partners, or employers, or even a spouse or kids. It's your body, your brain, and you have to live with them. Find out what you want and work towards it. But take your time to figure it out too. If you don't know yet, that's okay!
We don't really have much more advice, but we can ask some plural friend if they have anything to add. @transpanda-1 @entity-system @demonusenjoyer Did we miss anything important?
We wish you the best, stay safe and have fun!
