Information - Our Group Existence
Body Use - How using the body works for us
* The first time I can remember someone else being here with me was when this body was age 3. There was an infant and a pair of sisters. There was also a male who was much older than this body, who felt to me like he was there to keep an eye on me. This isn't my body though, so I'm not certain if anyone else was here before I became aware of this life. I'm also not sure if they were also in the body at all with me. But I do know they were near me, as if they were outside and physically interacting with me. -Kalli
* We are able to switch mostly at will. I can't honestly say how or why we're able to switch. For instance, right now if one of my children needed me or had an emergency, I could leave the body to go be with them - instantly. One of the others nearby would probably get shoved at the into the body. Though I'm gentle and give a quick warning that I have to leave. They would be the same way with me, if one of them were here and had to leave. A time when the switching turns random for us can be during sleep. A person who fell asleep here may not always be the same person who wakes up here.
* For some, it's like teleporting. One instance, you're inside this human body and then the next you're out of it with your own body and in another location. Something like viewing one landscape, closing your eyes, and opening them again to a new landscape. I'm not certain how to explain it, actually. I don't turn into a spirit, I don't become invisible or use an astral form or turn incorporeal. My body remains with me and I'm solid, I'm just not inside this shared body anymore. For our group, a time when switching can become difficult is if a current person is ill or stressed. That can lock a person into the body or make the switch feel heavy. It can be jarring, I suppose. That's just how I personally do it. I'm used to it that way. It can also be slower, fading into a new location - like a transporter on Star Trek. It depends on the person and circumstance for us. -Kalli
* What I do while using the body, I take on the body's identity as though I were an actor with a role in a play. To me, that's what body use is about. I use a name that isn't mine and a history that isn't mine. The body is my costume. Though I'm used to it after being in or near the body for a few decades. I think that's similar to having a dummy persona except this costume does have a set of rules to follow. I just add a bit of myself to it as well. -Kalli
* There are some individuals who stay in the body longer than others. It's been this way for us for decades. It isn't usually the same person. I was one of the first people here who used the body for a decade. The Clique (teen group) took over things during school. They left or vanished after high school graduation - many returned years later. Then it became Suz (nearly solo) for a decade. Though, she had quiet people around her: Kasia, Amirah, Jenilee and myself. After Suz left, we had a new person who stayed here every couple of years. I've been here again since 2007 - with others. -Kalli
* Using the body solo can be more difficult for some. There aren't many who choose to be alone here. We try to come around in pairs, if possible.
* Many in our group feel relief at not being in the body. We have our own bodies, can interact much more clearly with family and friends, and it is like returning home after being away at work. We prefer being away from the body over being here.
* When I am here, I am no longer using this body. I am with my own body without the restrictions and anxiety that comes with using a body that isn't mine. It is very freeing to be away. When I return, depending on how long I've been away, I will have to become reacquainted again. This body is taller than mine, heavier than mine and does not have wings. It is also more prone to anxiety than my own body. It is unpleasant to return to all of this. -Kalli
* It's easy for someone to come around here if they wish to. Such as, sitting nearby and hearing or seeing what's taking place on this side of the body. That's mostly voluntary.
* As for calling for someone to the body, that isn't as easy for us. It depends on how far away from the here they are. If they are back in our realm, communication becomes a little more sketchy for us. I can sort of ping someone if I want their attention, but I can't suddenly move someone from back there into this body. (Well, I mean, I probably could, but I wouldn't.) It's a little easier when they're nearby. There've been times when I moved out of this body and literally sat another person in the body. But it's always been someone who feels comfortable using it. It also depends on the body's level of anxiety at the time. If there's a high level, then switching slows down for us and it might not matter who is being called or how badly they want to use the body. It's not happening. Or switching begins to feel like we're all moving through mud. Basically, if a person is nearby and the anxiety is fairly average, then they can hear and probably switch fairly easy.
* For some, using this body for too long without taking a break causes them to feel as though they lose part of themselves to the body's identity. Some may begin to forget who they are. That may happen after a month of nearly solid body use. Breaks are a requirement so that eventually the feeling goes away. Some of our body use problems stem not so much about being a group as a whole on the outside, but feeling as though we have to hide a lot of who we are because our personal information isn't normal here. So in that sense, we'd have to pretend to be someone we're not in order to fit in. Taking on the body's identity makes some of us feel a little physically ill. It is understood that it's needed and that's where we have to learn how to cope our way through that anxiety.
* It can be easy to tell when others are around, but only if we intentionally behave in a 'group fashion'. I doubt someone could tell there are several of us around unless they were looking for it or we let them know beforehand.
* Different group members have their own distinct habits. One prefers coffee while many others in our group prefer tea. One dislikes sweets while several others can't live without chocolate. One always has a book in his hands, and another prefers video games. Most of us are introverts, but there are a handful who are extroverts.
* Unless someone has an important appointment here that can't be skipped (such as a doctor appointment) anyone can come around to find something to do if they feel like it. So scheduling time for body use is varied. Though if there is a serious lack of interesting activities here, many people will avoid coming around and remain in our home realm.
* There can be noticeable differences with those who use the body. Unless we're in public. We do speak differently, with different tones of voice and actions. If you lived with us it would be obvious, I think. At least that's what we've been told.
* 'Being stuck' seems to be a fairly common problem among groups. I think it's rather normal - especially if someone is upset, stressed or sick. We have had a brand new person stuck in the body for 6 months before we were able to help her away. Thankfully, she wasn't completely alone and others were able to sit beside her. Sometimes being stuck can result in a total lock out; meaning no one can reach that individual and they can't see or here anyone else. It can last as short as an hour or as long as years. This may cause the stuck person to feel as though they are a Singlet again, and no longer more than one.
* Members in our group have different handwriting or typing styles. We've noticed this especially in our old paper diaries.
* Not everyone can see or hear what's going with the body on unless they are either using the body fully or very close by. Obviously, someone has to be facing the TV in order to see it.
* We are able to switch mostly at will. I can't honestly say how or why we're able to switch. For instance, right now if one of my children needed me or had an emergency, I could leave the body to go be with them - instantly. One of the others nearby would probably get shoved at the into the body. Though I'm gentle and give a quick warning that I have to leave. They would be the same way with me, if one of them were here and had to leave. A time when the switching turns random for us can be during sleep. A person who fell asleep here may not always be the same person who wakes up here.
* For some, it's like teleporting. One instance, you're inside this human body and then the next you're out of it with your own body and in another location. Something like viewing one landscape, closing your eyes, and opening them again to a new landscape. I'm not certain how to explain it, actually. I don't turn into a spirit, I don't become invisible or use an astral form or turn incorporeal. My body remains with me and I'm solid, I'm just not inside this shared body anymore. For our group, a time when switching can become difficult is if a current person is ill or stressed. That can lock a person into the body or make the switch feel heavy. It can be jarring, I suppose. That's just how I personally do it. I'm used to it that way. It can also be slower, fading into a new location - like a transporter on Star Trek. It depends on the person and circumstance for us. -Kalli
* What I do while using the body, I take on the body's identity as though I were an actor with a role in a play. To me, that's what body use is about. I use a name that isn't mine and a history that isn't mine. The body is my costume. Though I'm used to it after being in or near the body for a few decades. I think that's similar to having a dummy persona except this costume does have a set of rules to follow. I just add a bit of myself to it as well. -Kalli
* There are some individuals who stay in the body longer than others. It's been this way for us for decades. It isn't usually the same person. I was one of the first people here who used the body for a decade. The Clique (teen group) took over things during school. They left or vanished after high school graduation - many returned years later. Then it became Suz (nearly solo) for a decade. Though, she had quiet people around her: Kasia, Amirah, Jenilee and myself. After Suz left, we had a new person who stayed here every couple of years. I've been here again since 2007 - with others. -Kalli
* Using the body solo can be more difficult for some. There aren't many who choose to be alone here. We try to come around in pairs, if possible.
* Many in our group feel relief at not being in the body. We have our own bodies, can interact much more clearly with family and friends, and it is like returning home after being away at work. We prefer being away from the body over being here.
* When I am here, I am no longer using this body. I am with my own body without the restrictions and anxiety that comes with using a body that isn't mine. It is very freeing to be away. When I return, depending on how long I've been away, I will have to become reacquainted again. This body is taller than mine, heavier than mine and does not have wings. It is also more prone to anxiety than my own body. It is unpleasant to return to all of this. -Kalli
* It's easy for someone to come around here if they wish to. Such as, sitting nearby and hearing or seeing what's taking place on this side of the body. That's mostly voluntary.
* As for calling for someone to the body, that isn't as easy for us. It depends on how far away from the here they are. If they are back in our realm, communication becomes a little more sketchy for us. I can sort of ping someone if I want their attention, but I can't suddenly move someone from back there into this body. (Well, I mean, I probably could, but I wouldn't.) It's a little easier when they're nearby. There've been times when I moved out of this body and literally sat another person in the body. But it's always been someone who feels comfortable using it. It also depends on the body's level of anxiety at the time. If there's a high level, then switching slows down for us and it might not matter who is being called or how badly they want to use the body. It's not happening. Or switching begins to feel like we're all moving through mud. Basically, if a person is nearby and the anxiety is fairly average, then they can hear and probably switch fairly easy.
* For some, using this body for too long without taking a break causes them to feel as though they lose part of themselves to the body's identity. Some may begin to forget who they are. That may happen after a month of nearly solid body use. Breaks are a requirement so that eventually the feeling goes away. Some of our body use problems stem not so much about being a group as a whole on the outside, but feeling as though we have to hide a lot of who we are because our personal information isn't normal here. So in that sense, we'd have to pretend to be someone we're not in order to fit in. Taking on the body's identity makes some of us feel a little physically ill. It is understood that it's needed and that's where we have to learn how to cope our way through that anxiety.
* It can be easy to tell when others are around, but only if we intentionally behave in a 'group fashion'. I doubt someone could tell there are several of us around unless they were looking for it or we let them know beforehand.
* Different group members have their own distinct habits. One prefers coffee while many others in our group prefer tea. One dislikes sweets while several others can't live without chocolate. One always has a book in his hands, and another prefers video games. Most of us are introverts, but there are a handful who are extroverts.
* Unless someone has an important appointment here that can't be skipped (such as a doctor appointment) anyone can come around to find something to do if they feel like it. So scheduling time for body use is varied. Though if there is a serious lack of interesting activities here, many people will avoid coming around and remain in our home realm.
* There can be noticeable differences with those who use the body. Unless we're in public. We do speak differently, with different tones of voice and actions. If you lived with us it would be obvious, I think. At least that's what we've been told.
* 'Being stuck' seems to be a fairly common problem among groups. I think it's rather normal - especially if someone is upset, stressed or sick. We have had a brand new person stuck in the body for 6 months before we were able to help her away. Thankfully, she wasn't completely alone and others were able to sit beside her. Sometimes being stuck can result in a total lock out; meaning no one can reach that individual and they can't see or here anyone else. It can last as short as an hour or as long as years. This may cause the stuck person to feel as though they are a Singlet again, and no longer more than one.
* Members in our group have different handwriting or typing styles. We've noticed this especially in our old paper diaries.
* Not everyone can see or hear what's going with the body on unless they are either using the body fully or very close by. Obviously, someone has to be facing the TV in order to see it.
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