by Ruth Ungerer
Have you ever left a meeting, given a speech, or sung a solo on stage only to walk away feeling completely bummed with how you executed the task at hand? Maybe you are shy and introverted and the thought of speaking in front of a group of people makes you want to throw up.
Do you wish you would have stood up for yourself when you were being discriminated against by a coworker or berated by a boyfriend or spouse? Have you ever felt taken advantage of and wished you would have responded differently? Have you been the victim of bullying and bear the weight of feeling like you aren't enough?
Have you ever been in a grueling physical challenge like a half marathon or a reallllllllly long singles match and wanted to quit??
Chances are, you can relate to one or all of these scenarios. The truth is we all have areas of weakness where we feel vuInerable and less than.
Many of my clients are middle aged women who have lived a lot of life. They've dealt with heart break, financial loss, betrayal, being overlooked at work, cancer, death of a loved one etc. Many of those experiences make us stronger, but sometimes we are left with holes in our hearts that keep us from taking chances, asking for what we want, or keep us stagnant.
That said, when it comes to empowerment, creating an alter ego may be just what you need to get Sh** done.
For those who aren't sure, the definition of an alter ego is a "second self," or a version of a person that is completely distinct from their normal persona.
In the past, various well-known celebrities have taken on alter egos, either to make themselves more marketable or appealing, or to become more confident. Most famous are artists like Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. At one time, Beyoncé had an alter ego named Sasha Fierce, who she said made her able to be more comfortable and sexy during performances. On the other hand, Lady Gaga is an alter ego of Stefani Germanotta, the "ordinary" woman behind the huge sensation that Lady Gaga has become.
She/He's brave
She's confident. She can say things that you might not normally have the guts to say. She understands the value of words, and that fewer words can often say more, and with more power. She's got guts, fervor, and ambition. You don't have to go through the emotionally draining act of trying to be her all the time, because she gets strength in rest. So you can use her when you need her and not have to feel like you're over extending yourself the rest of the time.
She/He doesn't waste time
Because you don't use this part of your character very often, you know it has a limited life-span. This alter ego knows that time is precious, she's got a short window to use all her guts and glory to get whatever you need done, done. She gets right to the point and doesn't mess around.
She/He's willing to fight for you
It might be the hardest thing women do: to fight for themselves. To advocate for what theywant and need.To defend themselves. To prove themselves. To speak up when something is harming them. To say what it is they want or believe in. Your alter ego can do it for you. Your alter ego will tell you " I can" when you feel like saying "I can't. She'll give you strength when you feel weak. She'll speak up when you would normally stay quiet. She'll tell you you can do hard things and that everything will be ok.
She's strong and tireless
She helps your legs keep going when they feel like giving out. She gives you strength to run up a mountain or finish the race. She's mentally strong and can face any challenge placed before her. She says keep fighting when she hears the word cancer or chemo. She is fierce and a fighter.
It is important to know what qualities you want your alter ego to take on. Whether you want to be more outspoken, more confident, more gritty or more sexy, the first step is always to realize your specific goals in creating this persona. For most people, the alter ego possesses the qualities that you wish you had. She's strong in the areas you are lacking.
I truly believe that every person has it within them to be the version of themselves they want to be and that it is possible to take on characteristics you value simply through diligent focus. However, an alter ego may be the easiest or most fun method of shifting your mindset and creating a life you love.
So if you're looking to create a positive change in your life and are interested in creating a Sasha Fierce of your own, follow these steps:
1.Define a goal for your alter ego.Why are you creating an alter ego? What goal do you seek to accomplish? Are you creating an alter ego for fun or for a serious purpose? Generally, there's no such thing as an alter ego that'stoothought-out. As long as you don't start blurring the mental line between your alter ego and your true self, feel free to create as detailed of an alter ego as you see fit.
2. Give your alter ego a personality and voice.Your alter ego's most important trait is her personality - how does she speak and act? Will this alter ego be a mere stand-in for yourself - in other words, will it be just like you except for their name? Or, will it be a unique character with a personality distinct from yours?Often, alter egos are endowed with traits that their creators lack. By assuming this alter ego, the creator can attempt to overcome difficulties caused by their personality defects. For instance, if you're normally timid and shy, you might assume a cocky, confident alter ego when you're at a party full of people you don't know.
3. Give your alter ego a distinctive appearance.How does your alter ego look? Do they have an unassuming, yet memorable appearance or do they stick out in a crowd? Your character's appearance should match or compliment their personality. For example, if you struggle with self confidence, your alter ego may be a larger-than-life figure like a Sasha fierce or a Jennifer Lopez. Sometimes, all you need is an accessory to take you from feeling frumpy to sexy. It could be a wig, hair extensions, a pair of running shoes, even a pair of glasses that gives you the boost of confidence you need.
4. Brainstorm suitable names.This is the most fun part of the entire process! A good, catchy name can take an alter ego from merely interesting toiconic.Make a list of names, even including even ideas that you think are silly - they may lead you towards a truly inspiring name. Think of names that fit your alter ego's purpose
5. Fill in the small details about your alter ego.Give your character real depth by giving him or her unique, specific traits. Real people have peculiarities and quirks, so your character will seem more real if he or she does too. You may want to choose details that match your character's role or personality. Is she glamorous, brilliant, a can-do kind of girl? Write in the details.
I truly believe that every person has it within them to be the version of themselves they want to be and that it is possible to take on characteristics you value simply through diligent focus. However, an alter ego may be the easiest or most fun method of shifting your mindset and creating a life you love.
Do you have an alter ego? Tell me about her. I have a few. When I'm playing tennis, I channel my innerSerena. When I want to feel sexy, I become Foxy Roxy. (the wig does the trick) Foxy can dance and is eager to get our of her comfort zone. Finally, when I want to feel young and carefree, I become Ellie. Ellie wears extensions and has awesome style. She's vibrant and playful and full of life. I would say that describes me too, but since the long hair is so different from my normal look, I give her a name. The point is this. Don't be afraid to create a character that helps you overcome doubts and fears that are preventing you from living your best life.
Helping you love the life you live,
Ruth xoxo
FAQs
What You Really Need to Know about Having an Alter Ego and How to Create One? ›
It's not uncommon for people in creative industries to have alter egos or stage names that allow them to inhabit or channel a different kind of creativity. But for those of us who don't often find ourselves on stage or writing novels, it can be hard to know how this applies.
Is it normal to create an alter ego? ›It's not uncommon for people in creative industries to have alter egos or stage names that allow them to inhabit or channel a different kind of creativity. But for those of us who don't often find ourselves on stage or writing novels, it can be hard to know how this applies.
What triggers alter ego? ›There are a variety of triggers that can cause switching between alters, or identities, in people with dissociative identity disorder. These can include stress, memories, strong emotions, senses, alcohol and substance use, special events, or specific situations. In some cases, the triggers are not known.
What is the practice of alter ego? ›Alter ego is a legal doctrine whereby the court finds that a corporation lacks a separate identity from an individual or corporate shareholder.
What are the three types of alter ego? ›In fiction, a character's alter ego can take several forms—a hidden identity, a secondary personality, or a secret life being led in addition to a normal life.
Can alters be created? ›According to this theory, alters are created when no existing parts can integrate new materials (e.g., memories, strong emotions, perceptions, attachment styles) because these materials are too threatening or are perceived as conflicting too strongly with what is already held.
What disorder has alter egos? ›Dissociative identity disorder.
Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by "switching" to alternate identities. You may feel the presence of two or more people talking or living inside your head, and you may feel as though you're possessed by other identities.
Dissociative identity disorder was previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), sometimes incorrectly called "split personality", it is characterized by the presence of more than one sense of identity within a single human body. These alternate identities are commonly known as alters or dissociated parts.
What is Beyonce's alter ego? ›But Beyoncé isn't the only name she's known by; in the early days of her solo career the singer created a new alternative identity for herself — Sasha Fierce.
Does trauma cause an alter ego? ›Ego states develop as a way to cope with severe traumatic events in childhood. When a child is in distress, repeatedly, the child does not develop a healthy sense of self or ego. Instead, the ego splits off into different states that are connected to the 'fight-flight-freeze' response.
How do you know if you have alter ego? ›
An alter ego (Latin for "other I", "doppelgänger") means an alternate self, which is believed to be distinct from a person's normal or true original personality. Finding one's alter ego will require finding one's other self, one with a different personality.
How many alter egos can a person have? ›These differences between alters are often quite striking. A person living with DID may have as few as two alters or as many as 100. The average number is about 10. Often alters are stable over time, continuing to play specific roles in the person's life for years.
What is the alter ego superpower? ›The user can create one or more alter egos and switch between them. They can create abilities, skills, habits, thought processes, personalities and other parameters based around their created alter egos.
What is another word for alter ego? ›soul mate, evil twin, second self, buddy, chum, confidante, counterpart, pal.
Does everybody have an alter ego? ›The truth is, we all have an alter ego, or two. Yes, whether you like it or not you have both an ego and an alter ego. As we allow ourselves to become aware of this, we will then find a heightened ability to 'engage in a creative play' with both our ego and our alter ego.
What is the personality of alter ego? ›An alter ego can be thought of as a person's clone or second self. A professional alter ego might be a trusted aide who knows exactly what the boss wants done. A personal alter ego might be a close friend who is almost like a twin. Alter ego can also refer to the second, hidden side of one's own self.
How do alters get their names? ›The names of the alters often have a symbolic meaning. For example, Melody might be the name of a personality who expresses herself through music. Or the personality could be given the name of its function, such as “The Protector” or “The Perpetrator”.
What does DID splitting feel like? ›Sudden mood swings: When someone is in a splitting episode, it can cause rapid and dramatic changes in mood, unstable emotions, and impulsive behavior. They might instantly become furious or thrilled, even if they felt the opposite way before.
What is a fictive alter? ›fictives are alters that are or are based off of fictional people or characters. fictives, while they already come from a media, can also have IRLs of different characters from different sources(but they dont have to)
Do narcissists create alter egos? ›The narcissist has a fake, substitute Ego. This is why his energy is drained. He spends most of it on maintaining, protecting and preserving the warped, unrealistic images of his (False) Self and of his (fake) world. The narcissist is a person exhausted by his own absence.
Do schizophrenics have alter egos? ›
A major difference is that someone with DID has two or more distinct identity states, sometimes known as alternate identities, or alters. This is not present in schizophrenia.
How to tell if someone is faking dissociative identity disorder? ›Individuals faking or mimicking DID due to factitious disorder will typically exaggerate symptoms (particularly when observed), lie, blame bad behavior on symptoms and often show little distress regarding their apparent diagnosis.
Can alters hate each other? ›Alters can be friends, family, or foes. Alters can like, and even love each other, but sometimes there is hate or dislike within the system. When this happens, it can feel chaotic.
Can alters hurt each other? ›Alters may provide a means of expressing anger or other feelings. Aggression towards the body may be sexually oriented, so one may ask whether aggression could make self-rape possible. If so, such expression of self-injuries may be observed in a person with multiple personality as when one alter may injure another.
Who is Lady Gaga alter ego? ›Jo Calderone is a fictional male alter-ego to Lady Gaga created in 2010.
Does Justin Bieber have an alter ego? ›Justin Bieber / Shawty Mane - Teen pop star Justin Bieber gave himself a rap alter ego, Shawty Mane, after freestyling over Vado's "Speaking in Tongues.” Shawty wasn't bad and also showed his spit game when he rhymed on Chris Brown's "Ladies Love Me" in 2011. (Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)
What is an alter ego mask? ›Think of your special mask as an alter ego—a version of yourself you've always wanted to be! An alter ego is a version of you, but with a different personality. What version of yourself do you want to be?
What are the negative effects of alter ego? ›The encounter with our alter ego causes fear, because it implies the loss of personal identity, it causes dissociation and entry into madness (alienation).
What personality disorder is caused by trauma? ›BPD as a sequela of childhood traumas often occurs with multiple comorbidities (e.g. mood, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, eating, dissociative, addictive, psychotic, and somatoform disorders). In such cases it tends to have a prolonged course, to be severe, and treatment-refractory.
How long does alter ego last? ›| Single-Player | Polled | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Main Story | 12 | 8h 52m |
| Completionist | 5 | 9h 50m |
| All PlayStyles | 17 | 9h 15m |
Can you create an alternate personality? ›
No, you cannot give yourself DID.
Who can turn ultra ego? ›Although Vegeta was taught the concept of Ultra Ego by Beerus, the God of Destruction of Universe 7, the transformation itself is unique to him. Characters such as Beerus can make use of this ability, but Vegeta is the only one who has access to the transformation of Ultra Ego.
Can a friend be an alter ego? ›Your alter ego is a person to whom you are so close that he almost seems like an essential part of you, and who understands your unique perspective on the world. You can use the noun alter ego to describe your very best friend, the person who knows you better than anyone else.
Does every person have an alter ego? ›The truth is, we all have an alter ego, or two. Yes, whether you like it or not you have both an ego and an alter ego. As we allow ourselves to become aware of this, we will then find a heightened ability to 'engage in a creative play' with both our ego and our alter ego.
Can an alter take over permanently? ›Oh yes. There have been several occasions where a particularly strong alter has taken over my wife's body and either imprisoned the other alters or put them in a state of oblivion.
Does Adele have an alter ego? ›In a 2011 Rolling Stone cover story, Adele said she dealt with onstage anxiety by creating the alter ego "Sasha Carter", derived from Beyoncé's "Sasha Fierce" and June Carter. During one episode after she met Beyoncé, Adele said, she asked "What would Sasha Fierce do?" and that helped.
What mental illness has an alter ego? ›Dissociative identity disorder.
Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, this disorder is characterized by "switching" to alternate identities. You may feel the presence of two or more people talking or living inside your head, and you may feel as though you're possessed by other identities.
The narcissist has a fake, substitute Ego. This is why his energy is drained. He spends most of it on maintaining, protecting and preserving the warped, unrealistic images of his (False) Self and of his (fake) world. The narcissist is a person exhausted by his own absence.
How do I know if I have alters? ›The different identities, referred to as alters, may exhibit differences in speech, mannerisms, attitudes, thoughts and gender orientation. The alters may even present physical differences, such as allergies, right-or-left handedness or the need for eyeglass prescriptions.
Can an alter create another alter? ›She became frightened often and didn't like to be alone. Because of this, Colette created an alter. We came to call this personality, "Mother." Any one of a person's alter personalities can create a new alter.