Have you ever felt internally divided about a decision you have to make (a part of me wants X, another part wants Y)? Or unable to control your actions (I sat down to watch a show on Netflix and suddenly four hours had gone by)? If yes, you’re completely normal. This week, I’ve been on a course to learn about a coaching and therapy approach called Internal Family Systems, which is about meeting all the different parts of ourselves – those that protect us, keep us safe, and yearn to be set free. Think of it like a more sophisticated version of the movie Inside Out. While we may at times wish some of them would go away (at least, I wish that every time my anxious, forward-looking planner kicks into gear), the key to working with these parts is actually welcoming them, listening to them, and letting them know that You – your core, essential, loving Self – have got this.
This poem by Rumi, The Guest House, perfectly encapsulates the approach we must take, understanding that no matter what shows up inside of us, each has a noble role to play.
