There are as many ways of understanding your system as there are people--- I find it interesting to hear about others systems, how they work. It takes time though, work on inner communication to find out about these things, so please, don't feel inferior if you haven't got yours figured out. Chances are VERY GOOD that you do have a very very logical, though complex system that has worked for years without your knowledge. It's the breakdown of the system that eventually makes it come to our awareness---- hey, this isn't working anymore!!!!!
I have watched my system change. Over the years, we haven't moved locations, gone from underground to above ground inside a great tree that houses us, where each one has their own room that they can decorate their way, or they can choose to not be alone, that feels good too, a lot of times. The more experienced parts reach out to solace those that are coming out, sharing for the first times, trying to get used to the outside world and the unknown of the inside that they haven't seen before.
I am thankful for this post because it reminds me of the most beautiful thing about being multiple- for us-
is that we never really have to be alone. There is always someone inside, and we have safe places created inside where we can go, for comfort or protection, rest or fun. Our favorite place is a cave where the waves of the ocean come softly in- the ceiling is like a kalidescope with partitions for each part to contain memories or feelings that are too hard to deal with at present or ongoingly. We have a part who can see into each container, this part knows all the other parts and is a go-between when we need her to be.
We also have a waterfall, where we can control some of the chaos by turning down the current... a boat on the ocean where time can pass safely for parts that are in danger of being triggered... so many things, places inside.....prism