A bump in the road is no big deal; all journeys include minor complications. Sometimes one of these events starts a cascade of change. In this series I want to look at this kind of liminal change, what I am calling lower case liminality. It starts off looking like no big deal, and through a series of stages creates a shift in how you live. When you pay attention to this process, you are in a better position to steer yourself in a direction that best fits you. Let’s explore these stages and ways to maintain your resilience throughout the process. 

As with any model, the stages I am naming do not look as clear cut in real life. Stages shift and overlap, sometimes circling back for another round as you move through the process. It is still helpful to be able to name them so that you can consider where you are in your journey.   

Bump: A bump in the road is a problem that you solve. While annoying, you have the resources and skills to address it. And then you move on or get back to “normal.”  

Noise: All is as it was, except for the nagging noise or irritation left behind. The noise or irritation grows. You decide to address it by doing something or stopping doing something.  

Steps: Not a big deal, you make a few adjustments. The minor adjustments tip the scales in ways you didn’t expect. Change begets more change.  

Normal again: After making changes, you settle into a new normal. That bump in the road shifted your journey in an unexpected way. You move forward on your new path. 

Noticing the bumps in the road and any noise left behind allows you to make adjustments. Paying attention to how the adjustments impact your day-to-day life allows you to decide what is and isn’t working for you. Acknowledging the changes you prefer gives you permission to choose new versions of your journey.  

As we explore this kind of lower case liminal change I would love to hear your thoughts. You are welcome to comment wherever this is posted, or send an email directly to me at [email protected]. Please share if you have a story of how a bump in the road became the catalyst for change. If you are in this process right now, I would love to hear your experiences. In all things I wish you resilience so that you can thrive. 

Peace,

Laura