
“But, it can also be transformative and valuable, providing creativity, strength and the opportunity to move forward, evolve, grow and develop a mindset that anything is possible.” “Uncertainty can be very uncomfortable, lonely, overwhelming, paralyzing, emotionally demanding and mentally exhausting,” says Cohen. It’s important to remember that not everyone is equipped to handle liminal spaces in the same way. Making a decision between two potential partners.In the metaphorical liminal space, there is usually a decision of some type to be made, and until the person decides one way or another, they’ll be swinging in a perpetual state of liminal uncertainty, says Cohen. In this mental state, the liminal space is literally in a person’s mind.
The other psychological liminal space is metaphorical.
Diagnosis of a serious or terminal illness. Additional examples of transitions that accompany emotional liminal states include: For example, the transition between being a child and an adult is a heavy liminal space (unless adolescence was easy for you, and then you’re probably some kind of unicorn).įrom an emotional perspective, a liminal space describes the time between the ending of one part of a person’s life and the beginning of the next phase. There are two main types of psychological liminal states, according to experts: Emotional and metaphorical.Įmotional liminal states tend to accompany life transitions or milestones. “Our caveman brain has trained us to avoid anything where we don’t 100% know the outcome.” As a result, adds Franklin, when people find themselves in liminal states, they’re often accompanied by feelings of anxiety. “Basically, your mind likes things to be regular and consistent-it craves and creates predictability,” says Franklin. This differentiation recognizes the mental aspects and often challenges involved with being mired between spaces. As a result, both experts say, psychological liminal spaces are often referred to instead as liminal states. Less tangible and more emotional, a psychological liminal space may be recognized as more of a life transition or a shift between two ways of thinking. Other examples of physical liminal spaces you may recognize include: “This holds true even if you’re jumping from one cliff to another-as you leave one cliff and are in the air heading to the next cliff, that is liminal space.” “Anytime you are in the space between two defined spaces, that is a physical liminal space,” says Franklin. If you rest in a liminal space too long, transitions can become a destination instead. These places are transitory, meaning you’re supposed to pass through them on your way to something else. Physical Liminal SpacesĪ physical liminal space is something tangible that you can recognize as a pathway, passageway or portal. Still it’s important to recognize the difference between the two. While it might be easier to understand the concept of liminality on a physical level, the psychological is more likely where you’ll notice and feel liminal space. Liminal Space: What Is It And How Does It Affect Your Mental Health? While we work hard to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Health. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This compensation comes from two main sources. #WHATS A SPACIE FOR FREE#
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