Liminal Spaces: How do we navigate them

 Liminal Spaces: How do we navigate them

Abhirami Sankaran

2/3/2023

One topic discussed in class that I found particularly interesting was liminal spaces. The transition state between two sides. They occur physically like planes and metaphorically like the summer between high school and college. Though the value of liminal spaces is unquestionable, as they allow us to change and grow, I often find them difficult to navigate. 

I wonder how we should go about navigating these aspects of life.

 Recently, I have started studying abroad in Glasgow, Scotland. The experience so far has been greatly enjoyable, yet I cannot shake the feeling that this is a liminal space. Yes, I am in another country and experiencing new things, but I will only be here for a semester. Everything I do has such an ephemeral quality. The friendships I create have a slotted end date, a quota on their permanence. In the end, I will return to my ordinary life. 

So far, I have been treating this displacement as an opportunity to experience as much as I can and change as a person. I have been attempting to act as the person I would like to be rather than who I have been in the past. I think that is the most efficient way I can use this opportunity. As I have been trying to grow, I wonder how I can use this knowledge to navigate liminal spaces in the future. As my mother often says, the only constant in the world is change, so how can I ensure that I change for the better, both now and in the future. 

If I were to guess, I would say that understanding your true goals would help in such an endeavor. But such a vague answer is hardly novel. It shows up in practically every self help book. Should I journal? It would help solidify my thoughts. Yet, it would also narrow my perspective. Should I attempt to broaden my worldview, to talk to new people with varying world views? Almost certainly, but then I fear being influenced against my morals. Even when people have the best of intentions they are undoubtedly biased and hold varying things sacred. I honestly don’t know. 

The whole point of liminal spaces is that they are hard to define, so how can we define how to navigate them. I suppose in the end we all just try our best and hope things work out. And if they don't, we just hope the next time is different.