Hey!
Today’s post is more of an exploration of a concept I have been mulling over. So, I have no wise words or cute charges. More a rubbing of minds as I will like to hear what you think of the idea and its practicality. I for one, I’m taking the idea out for a spin to see how it works out for me.
Ok ok enough of the suspense. Here we go:
What image comes to mind when you hear multiple personalities? It’s probably horror, weirdness, crazy, dangerous right?
If you have seen the movie Glass about a guy with about 24 personalities that kidnapped 3 teenage girls, you won’t be wrong if those are the adjectives you associate with multiple personalities.
The whole thing is some crazy scary stuff but I’m sure you know by now if you have read the Zigzag long enough that I have an angle.
Some time ago I came across Todd Herman’s book “The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to transform our lives”. He made some very convincing points about how alter egos can help us go beyond ourselves to achieve things we thought we couldn’t ordinary.
All these might be going over your head. But this stuff is real. Beyoncé is one outstanding example of the power of alter egos. She has publicly spoken about Sasha Fierce, her alter ego that takes over whenever she steps on stage. She created Sasha Fierce to overcome her shyness on stage.
“Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I'm working and when I'm on the stage. I have someone else that takes over when it's time for me to work and when I'm onstage, this alter ego that I've created kind of protects me and who I really am.”- Beyoncé
And truth be told, though, on a more benign level, we all have “legions” within us. This is how we are able to navigate the multiple roles and hats that we wear. We switch in and out of these roles multiples times in a day.
For example, I’m a different person at work, with my children, with my family and with friends. I need to present myself in these different ways to get the “job” done.
I’m always so fascinated by how one of my friends becomes a completely different person when he is on one of his “money calls” as I have begun to call them.
Todd says he is Richard; a very confident glasses-wearing business executive to counter is usually a shy persona for work and takes on the persona of Mr Rogers when he is at home with his kids.
There are a few studies that have shown the power of taking on alter egos. For example, in this study children were given an impossible puzzle to see how long it will take for them to give up. They all gave up after a few tries when they were themselves but stayed longer with the puzzle when they were given superhero costumes.
It all rings true, doesn’t it? When we dress up a certain way we are “elevated” to the image of the outfit. When we do this we are channelling alternative personas. It’s hard to be “serious” in a stripper outfit for instance. Lol.
The good thing about alter egos I learnt is that you can switch it off when you think it has served its purpose. For example, if you created one because you are shy and needed a more confident representation of yourself and now you are totally baddass, you can put the alter ego to rest.
Back to Beyoncé again that was exactly what she did. “I don't need Sasha Fierce anymore, because I've grown and now I'm able to merge the two,"
So what do you all think?
I’m trying to show up in fiercer ways in some aspects of my life so I’m looking for a suiting name for this my soon to be “bestie”. Be on the lookout.
Keep going,
Ije