Life Takes Place in the Neutral Zone

“The essence of life takes place in the neutral zone phase of transition. It is in that interim spaciousness that all possibilities, creativity and innovative ideas can come to life and flourish.”

Susan Bridges

When one thinks about the word neutral what might come to mind? For me, instantly I think of Switzerland, not helping or supporting either side of a conflict. The conflict we find ourselves in at this stage of a transition is letting go of the old life and not knowing how the new beginning will play out. It is a time of getting lost in daydreams as you begin to contemplate what the new beginning will look like. A time of quietness and reorientation.

On the opposite side of that quietness is great upheaval. One of my clients described this time as, “feeling as if life is being sucked out of you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.” Goals are set but cannot be consistently accomplished as if they are beyond your reach. Life is chaotic and confusing. At times you may look longingly at the life you are letting go of and think it wasn’t all that bad. Maybe I’ll return to that life, abandoning the dreams of your new beginning.

This phase of the transition process can be hard to deal with. Allow yourself time to daydream. If you find becoming absorbed in watching that bird in the tree outside your window, sit and stay absorbed. Get plenty of rest, take naps. Make time to pray and meditate. Take a short trip going off for some alone time, to the beach or the mountains. While there sit and be alone with your thoughts. These thoughts are allowing the life and dreams of your new beginning, to show themselves to you.

Sometimes this phase of a change/transition can be difficult to deal with. Call me. Within two (2) sessions we can calm the storm of change. Having been through this phase many times in my life I understand what you are experiencing.