We create little bubbles of comfort for ourselves. These bubbles include our daily routines and activities. The things we do regularly. The things we are comfortable doing. It also includes who we are on a regular basis. The face we show the world, the person we show up as. The part of us that we share. The bubbles are our lives. Sometimes we love it. Sometimes we long for something different. Usually, we go through phases; that’s the way life works for most of us.
Our edges are everything beyond our comfort and routines. It’s the things we don’t do. There can be a lot of reasons why we don’t do it. Maybe it feels uncomfortable or brings up anxiety. Sometimes it’s simply scary because leaning into the edge is like leaning into the unknown and change can be frightening. Leaning into our edges is hard work. It’s vulnerable work.
The things we edge are that if you are longing for something different, for more, then expanding into them is necessary. Imagine your life: your work, your relationships, your hobbies, your dreams, if you want anything to change or grow it usually means you have to start doing something different. We’ve heard the saying so many different ways, you cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results. That is true for our lives too. In order to expand or grow we need to lean into our edges, face the things we are slightly afraid of.
If you have a business and you want to gain more clients, part of that may include you showing up more, reaching out to more people, letting people know what it is you do. Maybe this scares you but at the same time, it’s necessary for your growth. It’s necessary for your business to grow. It comes down to what matters to you, why it matters to you, and if you are willing to face your fears for it. There is really no right or wrong answer here. It’s once again, remembering that you are designing the life you want, and sometimes to get certain things you have to be willing to face your fears.
Leaning into edges is stepping outside what we are used to because we know, want, and believe in our expansion. There are ways to make this a process that feels divine instead of overwhelming. Here are two things to keep in mind when leaning into your edges.
SLOW AND STEADY
When you are leaning into an edge it does not have to be all at once. If that works for you, then go for it. If it doesn’t then don’t force yourself to do it, but also don’t let it stop you. We often make the excuse that if we aren’t going all-in then it’s better to wait. The problem is we end up waiting forever in a lot of cases. Start today. Do what you can, move at whatever pace you want to but start expanding. Start dabbling in the possibility of more and one day that possibility will become your reality.
TAKE TIME TO INTEGRATE
Integration is the process of letting our bodies and minds get used to our new state of being. Every time we expand we are bustling with energy, feelings, and emotions. We tend to be afraid, and then excited, and so many other things. The integration allows you to see this new level of growth in your life as your normal. Your body and your body get to process that is now yours, and you get ready for further expansion and growth.
Imagine a start-up that was running with two employees out of their living room. The company expanded and hired 100 new employees. With this change came a new office and lots of other investments. The integration in this example would be the company realising that it was no longer a tiny operation. It was now a small-medium-sized company. Who that company is, how it presents itself to the world, how outsiders perceive it has forever changed. This company has to adapt and internalise this new identity.
The same concept of integration can be applied to our personal expansion. When you lean into an edge you need time to internalise this new part of your identity. You need time to accept this new aspect into your bubble
Leaning into our edges is how to grow and expand. The process of it can be different for each and every one of us. It is your life. Live it in a way that feels good to you. Live it in a way where you don’t regret not doing something just because you were afraid.
The author is a Business and Mindset Coach who works with entrepreneurs on all things business strategy and energetics. Contact details: vanessaseymour.com, email@vanessaseymour.com; Instagram: @vanessa.seymour
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