#for context the post was ‘what do you call your sysmates’ | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

strawberry-graveyard · 5 months

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Closeted system responding to your post: Cranium residents. People in my head. Occasionally headmates.

cranium residents is actually so good i might steal that

#for context the post was ‘what do you call your sysmates’#here lies courtney #ask the spirit board #pluralgang #endo safe

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ablednt · 2 years

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I think you've posted abt this before, but is "alters" the correct term, or is there a better term?

%100 depends on the system!

I wouldn't use alter as a default because it does have a slight medicalized implication that even many disorder having systems disagree with (also is associated a lot with alter ego / alternate personality) but many other systems do prefer alter and that's to be respected

The best course of action is to ask the system what they prefer to be called since most people have their preferences. If I'm talking about systems in the community as a whole I either use multiple interchangeable terms to be fair or I try to pick something as neutral as possible like "members of a system/collective"

Generally systems will be very forgiving if you do use a term that they dislike if you're otherwise well intentioned tho!

Here's some common terms for people inside systems/collectives

Headmate

Brainmate

Sysmate

System member

Members

Brainfriends

Heres some neutral things singlets have said that whilst sounding a little unnatural are acceptable

Your people

Your system (this ones kinda confusing in this context because normally "your system" applies to everyone including the host/whichever member you're talking to but i think singlets struggle with that)

Your friends (completely fine if context clear but if context unclear it might be hard to tell you mean headmates)

There's probs more I'm forgetting but yea! Oh and most often personally we use headmates! Using alter for us is comfortable only in certain circumstances so if you're unsure it's best to avoid calling us that but it doesn't bother us THAT much so don't worry too much about it.

#plural FAQ

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