Liminal space in mental health: what does it consist of?

Are you facing a change in your life? If you think about it, people almost constantly travel through existential thresholds: intermediate spaces between one event and another, between security and instability. A loss, an emotional breakup, changing jobs and even having a child are events that potentially generate fear and uncertainty.

We would love our entire life cycle to be a straight line. A succession of the most placid circumstances, without shocks, without insecurities or doubts. However, our daily lives are punctuated by alterations, by twists of fate… Some happy and others adverse. Every period of personal transition defines what we also know as liminal space..

Each of us will face numerous transitions and some will cost us more than others. It is possible that sometimes we get stuck in those anterooms of change, not knowing what to do or how to react.. After all, each of us handles changes in a different way and we do not always have the best tools to face them.

However, to our relief, liminality has a beginning and an end. It never lasts forever, but rather has an end point that will always allow us to give way to a new stage. Having support and good psychological resources will allow us to make this transition in the best way.

The idea of ​​remaining in a liminal, in-between space is always uncomfortable for us until we adapt.

What is liminal space and how does it affect us?

Has it ever happened to you that you were waiting for the arrival of a change with great enthusiasm and when it arrives, it overwhelms you? Even in those situations in which the transition is positive, we can experience stress. An example of this is having a child, starting a new job or moving to a place that attracts us more. Anxiety is almost always present in every life event.

The liminal space defines in psychology a period of change between one event and another in which we are gripped by stress and insecurity.. We have another very recent example of this phenomenon. The pandemic was that time when our entire lives were suspended in the most absolute uncertainty. Additionally, our mental health, as expected, suffered.

He did it because all liminal territories put in check what we took for granted. Our beliefs, securities and mental approaches must, in these cases, be completely reformulated to adapt to the change and such a step requires time and coping mechanisms. Let’s dig a little deeper.

Who defined this term?

The concept of liminal space was defined by anthropologist Arnold Van Gennep. He did it to describe that state of confusion and ambiguity that arises from any process of change or transformation. This 19th century French ethnographer associated this idea with rites of passage or initiation, those periods of time in which an individual managed to acquire another status after a test.

Later, a work by Dr. Paul Larson highlights how this idea was also introduced into psychology for several reasons. The first because it allows us to better delve into the transition periods that people experience. The second because These liminal territories often present numerous mental health challenges.

Liminal space is like a ladder

Often, we visualize these transition periods as great anterooms. These are times of change in which we feel lost, wandering through inhospitable territories without finding that exit door that will take us to a more peaceful and safe place to adapt to.

Good, From a psychological point of view, a liminal space is like a staircase. Sometimes you feel strong, motivated and hopeful to climb that stretch from one floor to another with complete ease. Each person also has their own resources that will make it easier (or harder) for them to make that promotion more or less quickly.

Sometimes, that stretch to another place can be heavy and difficult; We lack strength and we stay stuck. It is in those moments when we longed for our previous life (on the floor below) where everything was peaceful and we believed we had everything under control. We would love to go back there, but it is impossible.

When change comes, it is common to feel uncomfortable, lost and so challenged that even one’s own identity can go into crisis. That will make us stay a little longer on that flight of stairs, feeling how the world is shaking beneath our feet… However, as we have already pointed out, liminal spaces have an end and, sooner or later, we will climb those steps.

If we feel completely lost in these periods of change and fear dominates us, do not hesitate to ask for specialized help.

The importance of tolerating liminal territories

Life itself is a liminal space, with its beginning and its end. Change, transitions and the succession of life stages are a constant in our existence and this idea is something that we must internalize.. However, it is true that any variation in our stability makes us uncomfortable and it is common to experience stress, anxiety, worry…

It is interesting to see these liminal territories as the archetypal representation of the hero’s journey. Living is like embarking on a long and beautiful journey in which constant challenges arise. It is common to feel longing for what we are leaving behind, but the important thing is to advance at each stage, learn from every experience to finally achieve that satisfaction with one’s own existence.

Feeling fear and concern about what we are going to find in any change is something completely normal. Moving forward on the journey of existence is learning to let go of much of what we took for granted, to find new meanings. If in that climb we do not find moorings or strength, do not hesitate to ask for help and support. Even heroes allow themselves to be rescued.

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