"fog" in the inner world

My boyfriend who has DID says that there's 'fog' at the edges of his inner world. Their gatekeeper is the only one who can navigate it without getting lost or hurt etc. I noticed another system on here mentioning alters being 'lost in the fog'. Is this a consistent thing? Do most systems have 'fog' or something comparable (like cliffs, dense trees, or fences) at the boundaries of the IW?
I know this is going to be too personal for some of you, and that's fine!
Thank you to those of you who answer!

Here, the Innerworld is kinda in a bubble. The bubble is separated in two horizontally: that is the ground. In the middle of the ground, sprouts out the World Tree (hence the system's name, "Arbre-Monde" means "World-Tree" in french). It's a marple tree, by the way. Theia is its dryad and she organizes the "hidden" part of the system.

On the ground we find a small square house, oriental-style, and inside is the Office. It is from where that we can access consciousness and move the body. I spend most of my time here, since I'm host. Though sometimes I go for a walk/run on the ground around the tree.

In the tree's branches we find houses, clubs, movie theatres, platforms.... that's where everybody lives. Alters and "NPCs" alike. Though it is possible that some of the "NPCs" are alters but that they barely reach consciousness, or are not interested in consciousness. We had a few who came into consciousness, looked around, did not care for it, and went back inside. A couple were frightened. That's why Theia pays attention to keep the ones who could be frightened, away from the Office. Only the ones who can take in the shock of being part of the system, are allowed to reach consciousness. That's why we have close to no Little in consciousness.

In the roots of the tree, I don't know what's there. It's Theia's domain. My guess is that she puts here all the "rotten" mind-stuff, to use it as plant-food and recycle it in a positive way.

I don't know what would happen if we reached/touched the bubble wrapping the Innerworld. I never did. I don't know anyone who cares for it. It's like a pretty backdrop, and the interesting stuff is inside. I'm sure Theia knows what it's made of and what is behind it. But I don't. And I'm mostly interested by what is in the outside world.

So, that's how it works inside here. Hope you found it intresting!

--Zami--

We have different inner worlds and it is somewhat complicated. But we also have a special space which is a hub for several of us. Some of us have a home there and it has a meeting place (which we don't use often,though). It is some sort of a big clearing and around of it is not fog, but a dense forest, which is some sort of a border You can't go outside or it is hard at least (i once got lost there), but also not much can come inside, so it is also a protection and makes it a save space. One of our protectors/guardians is also a tree-being, so that fits too

-Alea/Autumn

We do.

Ours is like a bubble, sort of. It is circular like an island, but it's suspended in the clouds, so everything is sky-themed and light blue. Everyone resides in a kind of neighbourhood surrounded by either a barrier in certain places or other stuff - some hills to the north, other houses on the west, the barrier to the south, and some sandy pathways to the east. The pathways lead to the Guardian's house, to Mi's (the host's) house and our safe island through a suspended bridge, and to a forest. I reside in the forest, and it is apparently endless and difficult to navigate because the trees are particularly dense, like you mentioned in your example. My house is on a hill in the forest somewhere, but nobody can find it. Same goes for the Guardian's house. Also it's difficult for us to go to the host's house, so we never try.

So, yes, we do have parts in which we cannot go, and boundaries. But that is usually because there's either nothing there, or because they are private properties.

Hope this helps.

Nico

Hello there!

So our inner world actually has a place in it we call "The Fog". It's an area very dark and filled with, well, fog. There's also generally just, at least for me, a lot of darkened out areas. I remember when looking around there's more fog, especially around stand alone areas like a convenience store. I'd say it's kind of interesting that you'd note that, I'd never really thought much into the whole "fog" thing before, it is pretty neat to think about.

I hope this can help you!

-Evan <3

We have a forest. We have a void or space. We have sea. We have different dimensions.

Thank you all so much! This was really enlightening. The general consensus seems to be that there is some sort of barrier enclosing the inner world, though it varies. It was great to read your descriptions. It also seems like gatekeepers/system 'managers' are closely connected to the boundaries, which holds up with my partner's system. Their gatekeeper/keeper of the inner world is a supernatural creature made of smoke/fog/darkness, and the IW is enclosed by said 'fog'. She has to go there to 'recharge'.
Anyways, thanks!

Just for perspective, many people reply to a thread because it resonates and they can relate. But you were looking for some confirmation and clarification and I'm glad you got some that was helpful. There are many who don't have an inner world and the fog they have can be almost anywhere. Also of course, feeling "in a fog" some (or all!) of the time is a very common experience for people with DID.

We have a young alter who is a swirling foggy whirlwind, a tornado. Historically he has swirled in to make focus and memory recall impossible in the moment. We don't seem to have a consistent, developed inner world though, more like a scattering of non-permanent worlds, ones we've been able to create in order to achieve specific goals. Generally these inner worlds feel considerably less concrete than the outer (real) world but we know that's not the same for others with DID, in fact for some, it's the opposite.

Thanks for the input, Johnny! That sounds irritating, to not have a consistent IW. I know that sometimes, when a system isn't 'mature', there won't be an inner world at all. (before the alters are really aware of each other.) As far as I know, my boyfriend has always had an IW, even before he was formed and became host. But I'd have to ask the first host to be sure.