On Nature & Liminality

I’ve always been drawn to liminality, but for a long time, I didn’t have a name for it. I labelled it as mystery and paradox, and I wanted to understand it. Even as a child, I recognized that it was an important part of who I was.

Liminality is that fluid, undefined space between two defined points, where old identities or ways of being are left behind, but new ones have yet to form. We experience liminality as we pass through different stages of life or when a decision—either within or outside our control—completely changes our lives in unexpected ways.

Liminality, of course, is not only something personal; it also belongs to things and places that exist in flux and ambiguity. Airports, bridges, overgrown cemeteries, and ruins are examples of liminal spaces we pass through on our way to somewhere else.

When familiar structures are temporarily suspended, boundaries blur, and this can make liminality feel disorienting and uncomfortable. But at the same time, these in-between moments hold enormous potential for transformation. It’s in these moments that identities can shift, and new meanings can emerge in our lives.

The problem is that we often overlook the transformational aspect of personal liminality because modern societal values largely ignore it. Instead, society prioritizes certainty, stability, and clarity, making it difficult to fully engage with the transformative potential that liminal phases offer. We are simply not taught how to do it.

Furthermore, the pressure to be productive and to keep up with responsibilities leaves little time for the slower pace and reflection needed to tap into the transformational power present in liminality.

Both reflection and mindfulness during periods of liminality facilitate self-discovery and meaning-making. It’s during liminal phases that we often find ourselves questioning our identities, values, and goals. Taking the time to reflect and search for answers can lead to new insights, allowing us to shed beliefs we’ve outgrown or that no longer serve us. In turn, this can give new meaning, clarity, and direction to our lives where before we felt we had none. In this way, the experience of going through a liminal phase can be very empowering.

Although modern society doesn’t openly teach us how to cope with liminality, I believe it’s something we need to teach ourselves. By doing so, we can navigate life’s transitions with greater ease and understanding, while also normalizing its presence in our lives.

In my own life, liminal experiences have played an essential role in my personal growth. Observing nature has been one of my most important guides in understanding how liminal transitions are integral to renewal and life itself.

Nature and liminality are deeply interconnected, offering us rich metaphors that can inspire and guide us through our own liminal experiences. Nature continually moves through phases of transformation.

Tapping into the cycles of the seasons teaches us that change is a natural and continuous process. Each season transitions into the next, reminding us that endings lead to new beginnings. Just as winter gives way to spring, our own periods of uncertainty and stillness can eventually lead to growth and renewal. This rhythm in nature encourages us to embrace change and trust the process.

The life cycle of creatures like butterflies is another potent example of how nature embraces liminality. The caterpillar’s transformation in the chrysalis represents a liminal phase where the organism is neither a caterpillar nor a butterfly. This phase of uncertainty, change, and vulnerability is essential for the eventual emergence into a completely new form. It teaches us that while liminality can feel uncomfortable, it is often a necessary prelude to growth and transformation.

The moments of dawn and dusk represent a liminal space between day and night. These times are not fully dark nor fully light, embodying a state of transition. They remind us that liminal spaces can feel ambiguous but are necessary for the passage from one state to another. In many cultures, these times are seen as sacred or magical because of their transformative nature.

The intertidal zone, where the ocean meets the shore, is a space of constant change—sometimes underwater, sometimes exposed to the air. This liminal zone supports diverse ecosystems and life forms that have adapted to living in a space of perpetual transition. This demonstrates the resilience and creativity that can emerge from dwelling in liminal spaces.

Rivers, which constantly flow between places and states, are also metaphors for liminality. They are never static, always in motion, and often mark physical boundaries between regions. The journey of a river from source to sea represents the constant state of becoming, transformation, and impermanence, reminding us that liminality is a necessary part of the flow.

In essence, nature shows us that liminality is a time of possibility, growth, and new beginnings. While it can be uncomfortable, it’s also where creativity and evolution happen. By becoming more mindful of nature’s liminality, we can cultivate a greater understanding of how to navigate our own.