Quick question for you all.

This is Jack, I had a question that Id been wondering about, if anyone can answer Id appreciate it. Is it possible for the core to resign from his position as core and hand it to an alter? Basically making someone else the core from then on.

Jack

Hello Jack.

Have you tried asking anyone else that's in your system this question? I think it's probably going to be very individual for each person... If by core person, you sort of mean the main one who does most of the stuff in everyday life, I would think it could be possible for another part to do that. Why would you want to though? Perhaps if the core is getting tired or something, they can ask for one of the others to be there in the background to help them keep focus and be able to get through what they need to do from day to day... I think it might be most helpful if you can all work together, rather than the core just handing over to another part because that would only put the pressure on another part instead...

(By the way, can you please write in a slightly darker colour next time, Jack? It's a little bit hard to read in that colour...)

Hi, Jack. I'm not sure what you mean by the core, since it has quite different meanings for different people with DID. Do you mean the host or the main part who is out most often or who does most of the transactions in life? I'm going to assume that for the rest of my response. From my readings, it depends on your system as well as your alters.

In my system we've tried to switch from me (John) to someone else but eventually we keep switching back if the alter isn't out actively doing something. I think a day is the most we've been able to accomplish with someone else out. If there's a lull or if we do anything that might involve or interest me, I take over sort of automatically. But I've been host for decades and the others just don't have the experience I do, the quick responses to life situations, nor some of the other skills. And we're pretty sure the job simply necessitates that I remain. Like it or not, we seem to be stuck with me. And I'll be honest and say we don't like it. If we had a low-key job somewhere, several of us could handle the life.

If everyone or most of you are in agreement in your system, it may be worth a try. Some systems have gatekeepers or internal self helpers who must be in agreement or who would facilitate the decision. If that doesn't seem to be working, you could try shared hosting maybe, with a specific alter taking over more situations and the host stepping back more?

Johnny-Jack wrote:If everyone or most of you are in agreement in your system, it may be worth a try. Some systems have gatekeepers or internal self helpers who must be in agreement or who would facilitate the decision. If that doesn't seem to be working, you could try shared hosting maybe, with a specific alter taking over more situations and the host stepping back more?

Shared hosting - is that like another taking over for you? For instance, some days I just can't handle life in general so another will take over. It'll be like I'm watching them do everything, so I guess I would be co-conscious with them?? When I'm in a better place I take over again. Is that shared hosting?

I would think that's pretty close to how shared hosting might work, IAmMany, but there's no formal definition I know of for it. In a system where there is not yet universal co-consciousness, the host tends to be the one who loses time, although they may not realize it. The host also tends to be out more than anyone else, though it's not always the case. In childhood, I think there were days or longer when others were out more than I was, but I was still the central hub or host. Everyone else kind of knew what was going on, whereas I could never figure it out or was oblivious.

Thank you this clarifies some things for me.

Hello Jack! I'm pretty sure you've already gotten good answers, but I'll just add mine anyway. If by "core" you mean the original personality, the one that everyone split from, then no, it is not possible. The core will always be the core, whether they are in control or not. For example, Cassie is the "original core" in my systems. Some systems can identify who it is, others can't, but unless it's necessary for therapy reasons, it doesn't really matter to know who the "core" is. I, myself, am an alter, and I've been the host for around 10-11 years now. The "host" is the main person in control; they're the main personality that's up front and deals with the switches, the sharing, the time loss, etc. With Cassie, despite the fact that she's the "original core", she hasn't been the "host" and probably never will be. However, it is possible for systems to change "hosts" and for someone to give up control to a new "host". This puts someone else in control and has them dealing with everyday life, switches, time loss, etc. But the "core" will always be the "core", whether they're in control or not.

Erm...well, honestly, what everyone else said. Handing over being the core, no, I don't believe that is possible. Switching hosts, however, is more than possible. Or how it goes in our system is more that other people help me host instead of letting me take a break.