The Overwhelm of Sharing

Opening up about our story can feel overwhelming. Each time we speak or create, we risk being misunderstood. There’s fear in being seen. But silence kept us small, and silence kept us alone. Sharing is our way of reclaiming power.

Art as Coping: Art has become our lifeline. Through music, drawings, collage and ritual, we give form to feelings that otherwise stay locked inside. Each piece is a conversation between parts of us and between pain and pride, fear and joy. It’s not always easy, but it helps us cope.

Creating isn’t just about coping. It’s about transforming survival into legacy. Every song, every sketch, every word we share is proof that we are more than what we’ve lived through. We are creators. We are a system. And we are building something bigger than the pain.

Coping Through Nature and Journaling:

Living with DID and mental illness means carrying many voices, many memories, and many ways of being. Coping isn’t about “fixing” ourselves, it’s about finding rituals that help us feel safe, present and whole. Two of the most powerful tools we’ve found are nature and journaling.

Nature as Grounding:

When the world feels overwhelming, stepping into nature gives us a way back to ourselves.

Touch: Pressing our hands against the bark of a tree or feeling grass under our feet reminds us we are here, now Sight: Watching the sky change, noticing the details of leaves or water, helps us slow down racing thoughts. Sound: Birds, wind, or even city rain become anchors, gentle reminders that life continues around us.

Nature doesn’t ask us to perform. It simply holds us. For a system, that kind of steady presence can be a lifeline.

Journaling as Conversation: Writing is another way we cope. Our journal isn’t just a notebook, it’s a meeting place for all parts of us.

Dialogue: Different voices in the system can write to each other, leaving notes, questions, or affirmations.

Release: Putting overwhelming feelings on paper takes them out of our heads and gives them shape.

Reflection: Looking back at old entries shows us how far we’ve come, even when progress feels invisible.

Journaling helps us turn chaos into story, and story into legacy.

Why These Strategies Matter: Both nature and journaling remind us that coping isn’t about erasing struggle. It’s about creating rituals that bring us back to safety, presence and connection. These practices don’t cure DID but they help us live with it, honour it, and even find beauty in it.

Why We Keep Talking: We keep sharing because our voices matter. We keep sharing because someone else might feel less alone when they see our art. We keep sharing because System Talks is not just a blog, it’s a ritual of survival, pride and connection.

“In nature and on the page, we find grounding. In grounding, we find ourselves.”

What You Can Try if You’re Struggling

We know that everyone’s journey is different, and what helps one person may not help another. But if you’re carrying heavy things, here are some practices that might offer you grounding, comfort, or even a spark of hope:

• Create Something Small: You don’t need to be an artist to make art. Doodle on a scrap of paper, hum a tune into your phone, or collage with old magazines. Creation doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to be yours.

• Step Outside: Even a few minutes of fresh air can shift your perspective. Notice one thing you can see, one thing you can hear, and one thing you can touch. Let the world remind you that you belong in it.

• Write Without Rules: Try free-writing for five minutes. Don’t worry about grammar or sense, just let the words spill out. Sometimes the act of release is more important than the result.

• Build Tiny Rituals: Light a candle before bed, sip tea slowly, or carry a grounding object in your pocket. Small rituals can become anchors when everything feels unsteady.

• Reach Out: Share a thought, a drawing, or even a single sentence with someone you trust. Connection doesn’t erase pain, but it can remind you that you don’t have to hold it all alone.

• Celebrate Progress: Look back at where you’ve been. Even if it feels small, every step forward is proof of your resilience.

A Final Word:

Coping isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about finding ways to keep going, to keep creating and to keep connecting. If you’re struggling, know this, your voice matters, your story matters, and you are not alone.

System Talks is our way of saying we see you, we hear you, and we believe in the power of your survival.

SYSTEM TALKS

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