Today was a processing day. The concept of liminal space returned after some time. The definition of such space is a place that gets you from point A to point B -- think stair wells, highways, etc. On a more sociological note, it represents the hinterland between one place and another, generally dealing with identity -- like where one ends up after graduation, job change, or altered social role (spouse, parent, retiree). It is a concept that helps explain life to me.
Our brains adapted during lockdowns trying to manage the threat of this virus, pushing the former routine skills sets (small talk, vocabulary, daily routines, etc.) deeper into memory so new daily coping skills could fit where easily found. At some point, the lack of easily accessing former skills and knowledge used almost daily pushed some of us into a huge liminal space -- back into the uncharted territory between where we were and where we will be. I visualize this as a space that is not easy to navigate -- huge boulders, ravines and rushing rivers to get past without anything to fashion into a transportation aid. In short, we are lost. And even though there are many of us in a liminal space, we are not together, but alone in the journey. The vaccines gave me tickets for a bus ride out of this weird space, but I still need to find the bus stop. I hear of others who have found it and are now waiting on the bus. Some may have even caught an earlier bus -- though it is unclear whether they actually might have wandered back into the wilderness in error or been forced back by some nasty yelling anxiety creature. Waiting is difficult and that provides a crack through which anxiety can enter and take over thought processes. Liminal spaces often become frightening since we usually aren't stuck in them for long periods of time as we have been over the past many months. Now, there are cheerleaders in the distance that we can hear at times -- those who recognize anxiety and can help you push it out of the way -- at least briefly. That helps. Keeping positive and moving through the journey across this space takes a lot of energy. It requires work to move into an uncomfortable place to get closer to the destination. Sometimes being frozen in place seems easier, but it doesn't get us anywhere we think we are headed.
This sort of space is isolating. People can feel that they are the only ones in this situation. They aren't. Being reminded of this can help people get back into the journey instead of sitting alone and scared. It can provide some hope and normalcy in the midst of all the chaos. The lyrics that came to mind today deal with the journey, though with a more violent metaphor of fighting or battling. The repetition of the title phrase and the frenetic tempo, reminds me of the stress of feeling lost in the hinterlands. Keep safe. Enjoy!
Break on Through -- The Doors
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