Hello Reader,
You know that feeling when everything feels up in the air? Like the freeze-frame in the closing scene of Thelma & Louise, when the car is suspended over the cliff?
That’s where I’ve been - in the between.
I was down for the count with Covid, and on the heels of that, a family trip to Sweden. So, it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve dropped in your inbox. Hopefully, you were so immersed in beaches and watermelon slices, you hardly noticed.
Moreover, I’m in the final homestretch for my book with just 3 weeks left until I submit my manuscript to copy-editing. It’s pens down until I receive their feedback. After that, the only changes I can make are the ones they recommend.
I'm approaching a threshold and I've had space to reflect, which landed me in this liminal space, between what was and what's emerging.
Taking time to write, being holed up in my bedroom, and being present with the kids shook my inner snow globe and allowed me to feel into my gut.
Writing Welcome to the Creative Club helped me realize things about my life (writing about how I lost and found my creative power is an integrative and vulnerable act) and what matters to me - where I come alive and hold myself back.
I light up, I’m talking spine-tingling, goosebump material, when I write, design, and create with others. Recently, partnering with powerhouse executives and entrepreneurs to craft their visions, creative strategies, and brand stories has given me those I’m in the right place feels.
Giving myself permission to invest in my creativity and write this book has been life-shifting (I kid you not). I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowing myself to create for myself, for art’s sake, and to make a difference in just one person’s life (my editor said I could check that box).
It reminded me of what really matters: relationships. A beautiful interdependence.
And what doesn't: Following the creator playbook, feeding the algo, and trying to make an arbitrary monthly figure to feel 'successful'.
I want to build relationships first and find more creative ways than relying on apps designed to hold my attention hostage to do that.
I’m an infinite being in a finite body. Limitless energy contained in a limited frame. I’m more aware and discerning about where I direct my energy and time.
It’s not a zero-sum game, but it is a calculation. Subtract from one area to add to another. Instead of keeping up with the social media Jones’, I want to make art and co-create.
I want to make for the joy of making. Maybe a zine, retreat, book of poetry, postcard series, who knows?
I want to help others build their dream ventures because it’s fulfilling and something I’m really good at.
Social media can be one vehicle for my business and art, but I need to change my relationship with it. I haven’t figured out what that looks like yet.
I’m phasing out, not showing up as often, and scheduling old content, which feels like a cop-out, a last-ditch effort to hold on. The stubborn belief that I need it to succeed still haunts me. I hesitate to cut the cord because I don’t know what will take its place.
It’s not just social media. There's a shift happening. A gap opening. I'm questioning what I’ve been taught about building a business and how I want to design my life (my one chance at being Pia on this spinning rock).
Asking myself how I want to be in relationship with:
- the spirit of my business
- clients, who I’d much rather call partners (but it gets confusing)
- community, one I want to continue to strengthen and build
- money, important to my survival and freedom, but not the holy grail
- my creativity
- social media
- life, writ large
Being in the space between the book being written and out in the world and having no idea what will come next throws everything in the air (life confetti, huzzah!).
It's not just the book that got me here, to this liminal space, but three years as an entrepreneur (the best self-development course ever).
The between has something valuable to show and give us. In this floaty space, we’re open to perceive and receive.
But to receive, we need to strengthen our capacity not only to enter, but remain between places instead of reaching for something solid to hold onto (however tempting that may be).
As one of my coaching supervisors said, “Most people want one thing: To know what’s right for them.” Only you can tell what’s right for you, if you feel into it.
And you need space to do that.
These ideas and insights are swirling around and I'm not sure where to go from here, yet. Life doesn’t feel solid, more like a flickering light.
This book shook me up. As a coach, I know this is a good thing (it’s growth, baby), but as a human, this in-between feels mighty uncomfortable.
It’s exciting because I’m letting go of old scripts (I can hear them rip) and in the process of gathering information to write a new one.
The snow spins in the air waiting to softly land.
For now, it’s one foot in front of the other until August 26th, when my manuscript is due. I’ve decided to catch snow on my tongue and see what unfolds in the big unknown.
If you find yourself in a liminal space, this is an invitation to stay in it. It might feel like you're falling when you're actually in flight.
Keep creating,
P.S. Are you shook too? In a similar place? Anything resonate or jar? I’d love to hear your experience and thoughts.
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I hope what I share serves you. Requests, compliments, feedback, and snow globes are all welcome.
