Hi Jack- I love that you posted this. I’ve done a similar exercise before and have a few kooky ladies of my own running around in my head (that makes it sound a bit like multiple personalities, but I get that that’s not what this is). I feel a little sad and protective of Ruminator Ron- I have my own ruminator (Sally Ann) who I used to despise with a passion. I mean, HATE. An insightful therapist once asked me how I was getting along with this part of myself, and my sarcastic response was that I alternated between wanting to smother her with a pillow and lock her in a closet. To the parts of us that just want to have fun and be free from pain, Sally Ann and Ron are probably desperately annoying and clingy sometimes. For the love of it, why can’t they just shut up and loosen the F up?

But Sally Ann’s a pragmatic gal, and she sees the cracks and won’t ignore them. She refuses to sweep upsetting things under the rug, and for that quality, she’s a valuable member of my mental team. She’s a little more likeable if I step into her shoes and realize that she’s helped steer me away from a few life catastrophies. Maybe the same is true for Ron?