In this heartfelt and affirming episode, we sit down with the Shadow System, a guest navigating the early stages of discovering they’re a system. Just over a year and a half into their journey, they share openly about the confusion, curiosity, relief, and emotional labor that come with realizing you have Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or OSDD.
✨ What We Talk About
* Journals, handwriting, and the clues that didn’t make sense—until they did
* The “am I making this up?” spiral (and why it’s so common)
* What happens when your system knows before you do
* System communication through writing, art, sensation, and intuition
* Why some parts step forward—and others stay hidden
* The pain of not being believed by a therapist… and the power of finding one who does
* How to talk to loved ones (even when they’ve only seen the media version of DID)
* Taking up space, offering feedback in therapy, and building trust at your own pace
This episode is an honest, deeply relatable look at the messy, sacred beginning of system awareness. If you’re newly navigating DID or OSDD—or supporting someone who is—you won’t want to miss this one.
⏱️ Timestamps
* 00:50 – Meet the Shadow System + Early Clues of Multiplicity
* 03:00 – Journaling, handwriting shifts, and confusing memories
* 08:30 – Realizing: “Wait… this is real”
* 12:00 – System denial, self-trust, and questioning your own mind
* 17:00 – Journals, art, and making space for parts to speak
* 22:30 – Therapy: What helped, what didn’t, and finding a safe fit
* 28:00 – “Do you think I’m just bored?”: Humor + honesty in healing
* 36:00 – Telling her husband she’s a system—and his loving response
* 44:30 – When parts front at home + parenting through system dynamics
* 50:00 – The inner world, the conference table, and communication struggles
* 55:00 – Advice for newly aware systems: “Slow down, trust your parts”
01:00:00 – New hope: What feels possible now
📲 Follow & Connect
* Follow the Shadow System on Instagram: @exploringmyshadows
* Subscribe for weekly blogs, downloadables, and community support: healingmyparts.substack.com
* Explore our website for free resources, support groups, consultations, and more: www.healingmyparts.org
* Shop our merch for cozy, conversation-starting gear made by and for systems: healingmyparts.org/merch
* Follow us on Instagram @healingmyparts for bite sized nuggets to support your healing.
🛠️ Want support for your system or your clinical work?We offer consultations, workshops, and speaking engagements for both systems and professionals. Find what fits your needs at Healing My Parts Services
🛑 Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and support purposes only. It is not a substitute for therapy or medical advice. Please take good care while listening.
Get full access to Healing My Parts at healingmyparts.substack.com/subscribe
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