I just loved how you revealed what's under the hood of this story! I really resonate with this as someone who has gone through what feels like more than her fair share transitions! Unskillfulness and discomfort are essential features of moving in the liminal zone in any evolutionary process whether improving a golf swing or internal or vertical growth.
It seems akin to how relationships are improved after a "rupture-repair" cycle or how a healthy immune system develops from exposure to bacteria and challenges. The latest research studies also show that our brains learn better after being thrown off balance and then regaining it.
I feel the pain lies in this, though: When our transition through the liminal zone is witnessed by observers who assess and judge, there can be many misunderstandings and potential pain for the “transitioner”. who appears to be failing at something.
What is visible on the outside (appearing awkward, unskillful or "un-expert") is essential for development on the inside and the outside, but the key piece, I believe, is WE have to make space for it. This cringy video reveals how our culture and tendency towards impatience doesn’t inherently provide room for that. Yet, golf-pro or not, It’s our call, our responsibility to push back to provide ourselves that space to take the swing.
I really enjoyed this piece and the examples from various disciplines! Helpful framework to be more kind to yourself when you seem to be going backwards to go forwards. As someone currently going through a major overhaul (partly inspired by “Quarterlife,” especially the closing chapter), I know that I won’t always want or be able to change everything at once. Chewing on the question, “in the future, how will I know when a swing change is needed vs. a larger change?”
Thank you for this lovely piece. Like some of the other commentators, I really love how you pulled metaphors from so many disciplines to talk about different modes of shifting and changing. One thing I love about the "swing change" term is that it seems really normalized (I have no idea if this is true; I'm not a golfer). Whereas going down into the Underworld is a really big deal and takes a long time, a swing change seems like an expected maneuver: like you can do it without necessarily confronting death at the same time. :-) It's fun to think about tinkering with schedules and internal expectations as these adjustments that in the longer term can really help set a new direction, but not necessarily involve that same deep, long work that's also such an important part of life.
Yes! I think the last 6 yrs of my life might be one swing change of another. I love your idea on clarifying our path. That's definitely where I've been throughout my 30s. I left my job in August and am actively looking for a new one while trying to change how I set up my days, how to fill my time to complete what needs completed and leave space for freedom to do things that fill me. I've found it so difficult to find balance, how to let go of things, how to be ok leaving an item, a task incomplete because it's getting late and dinner must be cooked! The cat must be fed! Etc.
I just loved how you revealed what's under the hood of this story! I really resonate with this as someone who has gone through what feels like more than her fair share transitions! Unskillfulness and discomfort are essential features of moving in the liminal zone in any evolutionary process whether improving a golf swing or internal or vertical growth.
It seems akin to how relationships are improved after a "rupture-repair" cycle or how a healthy immune system develops from exposure to bacteria and challenges. The latest research studies also show that our brains learn better after being thrown off balance and then regaining it.
I feel the pain lies in this, though: When our transition through the liminal zone is witnessed by observers who assess and judge, there can be many misunderstandings and potential pain for the “transitioner”. who appears to be failing at something.
What is visible on the outside (appearing awkward, unskillful or "un-expert") is essential for development on the inside and the outside, but the key piece, I believe, is WE have to make space for it. This cringy video reveals how our culture and tendency towards impatience doesn’t inherently provide room for that. Yet, golf-pro or not, It’s our call, our responsibility to push back to provide ourselves that space to take the swing.
So powerful. Thank you for all of these reflections. Yes to all of this.
I really enjoyed this piece and the examples from various disciplines! Helpful framework to be more kind to yourself when you seem to be going backwards to go forwards. As someone currently going through a major overhaul (partly inspired by “Quarterlife,” especially the closing chapter), I know that I won’t always want or be able to change everything at once. Chewing on the question, “in the future, how will I know when a swing change is needed vs. a larger change?”
Thank you for this lovely piece. Like some of the other commentators, I really love how you pulled metaphors from so many disciplines to talk about different modes of shifting and changing. One thing I love about the "swing change" term is that it seems really normalized (I have no idea if this is true; I'm not a golfer). Whereas going down into the Underworld is a really big deal and takes a long time, a swing change seems like an expected maneuver: like you can do it without necessarily confronting death at the same time. :-) It's fun to think about tinkering with schedules and internal expectations as these adjustments that in the longer term can really help set a new direction, but not necessarily involve that same deep, long work that's also such an important part of life.
Yes! I think the last 6 yrs of my life might be one swing change of another. I love your idea on clarifying our path. That's definitely where I've been throughout my 30s. I left my job in August and am actively looking for a new one while trying to change how I set up my days, how to fill my time to complete what needs completed and leave space for freedom to do things that fill me. I've found it so difficult to find balance, how to let go of things, how to be ok leaving an item, a task incomplete because it's getting late and dinner must be cooked! The cat must be fed! Etc.
Seems that I too may be in the midst of a swing change…! Thank you for this new descriptor!