Liminal space

Everything feels betwixt and between right now. Uncertainty reigns, and human brains do not like uncertainty. So how do we cope with the exhausting pace of change?

Change is not good or bad; it’s the nature of everything. In Buddhism, the denial of impermanence keeps us off balance, confused, and generally out of sorts so much of the time. 

So how can we not only tolerate change but also use it to our advantage? Start with a reframe.

In a recent Forbes article, ​How To Rewire The Chaos Of Liminal Space Into A Better Future State, coach and self-styled neuroplastician Liz Guthrie argues that, by seeing change as liminal, literally translated as “on the threshold,” we can shift from panic to creative adaptation. Liminal space is a state of becoming, the doorway between things.

It’s a powerful reframe, one rooted in science. Our brains are prediction engines, and when things are unpredictable, the brain struggles. But when we see change as liminal, new possibilities arise. Guthrie writes, “new and ongoing neuroscience research shows that the brain’s capacity to rewire itself is actually heightened during periods of uncertainty, ambiguity, and transition.” 

Liminal space is a time for curiosity, creativity, and exploration. As a leader, you can model this new state for your team. Your own ease with unpredictable change and setting aside the illusion that “things will eventually go back to normal” can shift the vibe from fear and anxiety to possibility.

This reframe is not some highfalutin form of toxic positivity. Much of the change we are confronting is harmful. Climate change comes to mind, as does authoritarianism. AI is at best a toss-up. The point is not to deny the harm but to stay present with it, without falling prey to fear or overwhelm. 

Guthrie concludes, “By embracing liminal space, you’re not only acknowledging you’re dealing with uncertainty in healthy ways. You’re also managing it constructively and skillfully to create a better way forward.”