Internal Family Systems Suggests We Have Many ‘Parts’ Within Us
IFS is a relatively new form of therapy, which kind of surprises me since it’s how I naturally think
My self-perspective shifted dramatically during a rough patch a few years ago when I began viewing myself as three people — my Past, Present, and Future Selves. I carried a notebook where I’d list things my Present Self did for my Future Self (like putting my laundry away instead of letting it sit) so that when my Present Self became my Future Self, I could thank my Past Self. It might seem silly, but it worked and initiated an unexpected curious adventure of self-discovery.
I started distinguishing and analyzing my emotions and feelings. It took time, but I eventually worked out which one feels like which and what they were trying to tell me. Now, I view my emotions as messengers sent from my subconscious. My job is to acknowledge their presence, listen to their message, and decide how to respond.
This shift in perspective, in viewing myself as a sort of manager of my different parts instead of their puppet, was revolutionary for me — but I didn’t realize until recently that I’d unintentionally stumbled into the basic concept of a popular new therapy called Internal Family Systems.
