Your body as your personal space

Ashley

What does "stuck" mean to you?

" To me there are different ways a person can be stuck. There is a quite literal idea of being stuck in a physical way. That meaning that your not able physically move a part or even your whole body. Then there is also a mental way of being stuck and this can happen in many different ways to me. The first definition of being stuck is ‘not knowing what to do’. Then there is also a way you can be stuck in your own body. I know people who have panic attacks where they completely freeze and don’t know what to do. I also think that not having control over your body is also a way being stuck. " - Ashley

What is your personal space?

"I (...) have two definitions of that space. One is a place where I feel safe which is my room preferably on the ground or in my bed. I’ve noticed lately that I don’t feel safe when I’m standing up. Then there is another personal space that relates to my body and who gets close to that." - Ashley

Dear Ashley,

You wrote to me that “being stuck" is when you freeze “not knowing what to do”. Your perspective on this topic focused on the body. Indeed, during a panic attack the body freezes and not knowing when or what to do to calm down a crisis can be frustrating. But one thing at a time.

Here is how I interpreted your answers. There are two spaces: inside and outside your body. Your personal space and also your comfort zone is inside. It is safe and stable like the ground. Then there is the outside with all its possibilities and uncertainties. These two spaces are represented in the labyrinth, but not only. In a light lavender color, I represented you jumping back and forth from one space to another. The form generated from this dynamic reminds me of the pose you would take to rest. Just like a spiral you focus your attention on your inside realm. But then, you unfold and are very much present and active in the outside space. Thereby, you find yourself in an cyclic movement intertwined between both worlds.

The expression “Going round in circles” is seen in a pessimistic way, but only because of the insinuation that you don’t evolve. However, who said that in time the diameter of this circle couldn’t grow? The more you go outside the more you broaden your safe space. Sure, some days the circle will retract and be small but, tomorrow is another day. As long as you stay in motion the spiral can continue to grow.

This maze is the first one to have up and down crossings. Because of this new pictorial element, the maze has a Celtic value. At the time, they made jewelries in different kinds of knots. You can see this maze as though a tailor made a jewel. Also, the colors are a reference to your Victorian dresses.

I am excited to hear about your interpretation of the maze and I send you my dearest regards.

With love, Roza