Is It Bad that I Have Voices In My Head?

If you've ever said, "One part of me wants to go to the party, another part wants to stay home and chill," you've already voiced the idea that you are made up of different parts. There is a school of thought, described by the Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, that we are all made up of many parts.

Knowing you are made up of many parts, some of which contradict each other like the example above, doesn't make you a crazy person. Knowing you contain many parts is your first step on the road to knowing yourself and living life on a more even keel.

I'll list some resources at the end of this post, but I'm going to give you some questions you can use to start talking to parts of yourself.

This type of parts work is a written dialogue between you and a part. What works best for me is typing the questions, then listening and then typing the answers I hear.

This may feel weird the first few times you try it, but you'll improve with practice.

Before you start, sit quietly for a few moments and see if you can feel the presence of the part that you'd like to get acquainted with.

Once you feel its presence, or think you do, you can begin with these questions. This is like sitting down with someone for coffee or a drink. You're getting to know each other.

1. Hi. Is it okay with you if we talk? (We hope the answer is yes. If not, ask if there would be another better time to talk).
2. Could you tell me some things about yourself that you'd like me to know?
3. What is your role in my life?
4. What are your goals for me?
5. What are some ways I could help you?
6. What are some ways I could let you know that I care about you?
7. Do you have a name? If so, what is it?
8. Anything else you want to tell me?

Just like conversation with a person, you might ask follow-up questions that occur as you write the answers your part is saying to you.

If you'd like, post your experience or questions below, and I'll answer them.

"Parts Work" is the umbrella. Under it are different ways to do parts work. Conversing this way with a part by yourself is called Active Imagination. If you decide to try this, start with an easy part--maybe the one who likes to sleep in on Saturdays that's arguing with the one who wants to get up early and hike.

Best advice I ever got: approach your various parts with curiosity and compassion. They may be using strategies they made up when you were six and had no resources. Just because their work is getting in your way now doesn't mean their hearts aren't in the right place. All parts serve.

You can also have someone facilitate you. This kind of Parts Work is called Voice Dialogue.

I use this in coaching to talk to the parts of clients that hold their beliefs about money. The "frugal" part, or the "crazy spender" (my personal favorite) or "money is dirty" or "if I make money on art I'll be a sellout" or "My friends will hate me if I'm successful."

You may have some of these parts yourself.

You can begin getting to know them by using the process above. If you need help, you can make a quick appointment to talk to me here.

And if you actually experiment with the process, you can email me privately, or post your experience below. I'd love to hear.

To learn more check out these two links: Hal and Sidra Stone and Active Imagination