Embracing The Liminality Of Life
Embracing The Liminality Of Life
The construct of space and time is a fundamental aspect of how we understand and interpret the universe. It encompasses various dimensions, theories, and perspectives across different fields of study.
Recently, while designing and creating The Celtic Crystal Soap Collection, I found my mind drifting through an endless stream of thought. The folklore and mythology that inspired this collection is rich from tales of an ethereal time in a liminal space. Examples of this are prevalent in mentions of an ‘otherworld’ or the heavens, shorelines or the deep sea.
Modern day liminal spaces can be tangible things like doorways or empty schools during summer break. In addition to the physical space, liminality exists in the emotional space as well in everyday life with transitional periods such as career changes, a birth, and even death.
In the context of owning your own business, the concept of liminal space is intriguing to me. For entrepreneurs, liminal spaces might not be physical locations but rather metaphorical stages or situations in their business. Generally, these periods may force them to confront fears, reevaluate goals, and make pivotal decisions that will shape the future.
There are a few ways this concept can manifest in the small businessworld. Growth transitions, either when scaling up or scaling down, mark a time of change and uncertainty. Shifts in market trends or consumer behavior serve as a liminal space. Each seasonal change marked by different service or product offerings are an example in liminality. One of the more obvious states of liminality is economic uncertainty, when business owners face financial instability while navigating a shifting economic landscape. For many, periods of transition and change often leads to a disconnect and feelings of ambiguity. Some may feel anxious, disorientated or ill at ease.
Understanding and managing these liminal spaces is crucial both in entrepreneurship and in life alike. It often requires flexibility, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change while staying grounded in our core values and goals. If we consider that the past is gone; it is over. Moreover, the future hasn’t happened yet; it doesn’t exist. One could say that the present represents our collective liminal space; we live in it. Embracing liminality can be beneficial in so many ways. Being in a liminal state often requires thinking outside the box and exploring new possibilities. This can spark creativity and innovation as people find novel solutions to problems. It is a great backdrop for exploring the “in-betweens”. Accepting a life of liminality lays fertile ground for new opportunities.
In summary, it is probable that the construct of space and time is so multifaceted that it stretches far beyond our wildest imaginations. Each human perspective adds to our comprehensive understanding of how the universe operates and how we experience it. We are left with just the burning philosophical question. What is the difference between living your life and letting life live you? And, is life the greatest of liminal spaces?