There’s a certain discomfort in the idea of being more than one. From an early age, we learn to look for coherence, to tell a story about ourselves that makes sense, that has continuity and that presents us to the world as a stable and predictable character. But is this constancy real? Or is it just an attempt to organize what is, by nature, multiple?
If we think of the mind as a theater, there are several characters who enter and leave the stage all the time. We can be confident in one context and insecure in another, very patient with some people and impulsive with others. Sometimes we feel that there is a rational side of us that tries to calm down an anxious side by debating and presenting various arguments.
The truth is that we are made up of different characters who emerge according to the context and internal needs, and there are also a few spectators who comment on what they observe, each with their own conscience and memory.
To better understand the scale of the acts and scenes that can take place within us, let’s think about this example: you have an important presentation to prepare but you find yourself constantly procrastinating, putting it off until the last moment.
Imagine the internal theater:
One by one, the characters enter the scene.The first to appear is a relaxed figure, who walks in yawning and looking like he’d rather be doing something else. He looks at his watch, stretches out in his chair and says:
— Give it time… I can only work well under pressure.
Immediately, another character enters, with a firm step, a tense look and a strict dress code. He looks around disapprovingly and says:
— It has to be perfect! We can’t fail. Every detail counts.
His presence imposes itself and freezes the atmosphere, blocking any attempt to start.
On the opposite side, a figure appears with a notepad full of colorful scribbles. He has a thousand ideas in his hands, but speaks in a hesitant tone:
— What if they don’t like this? Maybe it doesn’t make sense. Maybe it’s better not to show it.
And she quickly retreats into the shadows before anyone questions her.
Just behind her, a hasty figure appears, pacing back and forth. He has a worried look on his face and his breathing is fast.
— This is important. We have to start now! If we don’t hurry, we’ll jeopardize everything.
But his urgent tone seems to fuel the confusion on stage even more.
Each party tries to act on the basis of its own objectives and when one of them tries to dominate, conflict arises between the characters, which can hinder our ability to make decisions and take action.
It’s in situations like these that we can all see the multiplicity of our minds and how much what we are is a variety of interacting, conversing and counter-acting parts. You’ve probably heard one part of you say “I want to stay” and another say “Go away”. Because we think we’re only facing thoughts that contradict each other, we don’t pay attention to what’s going on behind this inner debate.
There are parts of us that want to move forward without fear, while others hesitate, carrying old wounds. If we look closely, we notice that inside us there are voices, characters, fragments that tell different stories about our nooks and crannies.
Multiplicity of mind
The concept of multiplicity of mind understands that the human mind does not operate as a single, homogeneous entity, but as a system made up of different parts or internal aspects that live together and interact constantly.
These parts can represent different ways of thinking, feeling and acting, often with conflicting intentions or desires, reflecting the complexity of subjective experience. Identity, from this perspective, is seen as a dynamic process, built from the internal dialogue between these different voices that are organized around contexts, memories and affections.
This idea began to gain momentum when various psychological and neurological studies demonstrated how different brain systems operate in parallel — integrating emotion, memory and reason — and contribute to a multifaceted, fluid and constantly reorganizing mind. Thus, the multiplicity of the mind is not a sign of fragmentation, but an expression of the richness and plasticity of psychic life.
Fear of fragmentation
It can be difficult to embrace the concept of multiplicity of mind because one of the great fears of human beings is feeling “fragmented” and losing a sense of who they are.
Our identity is built on the need for an integrated vision of ourselves, because without this cohesion, we can feel that we are adrift in existential chaos. However, recognizing the multiplicity of the mind doesn’t mean being contradictory, confused or incoherent, but rather accepting the complexity and depth of our inner experience. Someone can be very serious at work and playful with friends, and this doesn’t mean a lack of authenticity, but rather the natural adaptation to different contexts — a healthy reflection of our ability to navigate multiple dimensions of being.
Rather than threatening our identity, this acceptance allows us to better understand the different facets that make us up and integrate them more harmoniously.
How do we welcome our parts?
Welcoming our multiplicity can help us to live in a more authentic and balanced way. We often try to force a rigid image of who we are, trying to put aside parts of ourselves that may seem contradictory or inconvenient. However, we know that denying these inner facets can create conflict, anxiety and a sense of disconnection. When we recognize and accept that we are made up of different parts, some more secure, others more fearful, some more rational, others more emotional, we create space for deeper self-knowledge, which can help with emotional regulation and making more balanced decisions.
We can start by simply noticing what arises within us in a given situation, with curiosity and without judgment. Naming what we feel can be a first step, for example, if you’re undecided whether or not to accept a new job opportunity, recognizing the parts (be it an ambitious, insecure or rational side) can help you weigh up the pros and cons without being overwhelmed by fear or impulse.
This awareness paves the way for a gentler internal dialog, in which we stop fighting against parts of ourselves that, at first glance, seem to get in the way. When we feel that we are procrastinating too often, instead of forcing this impulse to disappear, we can ask ourselves what that side is trying to avoid/protect and perhaps discover that there is a part of us that fears it is not enough.
In time, this “looking inwards” can lead us to find ways of balancing our internal system, without any one part needing to dominate, allowing them to cooperate rather than clash. When one part tells us that we need time off and the other demands endless productivity, it can be important to organize our time in such a way as to cater for both, thus recognizing our needs and limits.
By understanding that different parts of the mind have different perspectives, we can avoid impulsive decisions or decisions based simply on a single emotion.
Accepting our parts is not a simple process. Often, we are so identified with one of them — be it the critical, perfectionist or discomfort-avoiding part — that we don’t even realize that other inner voices are being silenced. We can feel confused, stuck in patterns or overwhelmed by emotions without really understanding why.
This journey of listening and integration can be made easier with the help of a professional. In psychotherapy, we create a safe space for you to gradually discover who you are in all your complexity, allowing all the inner voices to have a place and meaning in your personal narrative.