Displacement
I. the moving of something from its place or position.
II. the removal of someone or something by someone or something else that takes their place
III. the unconscious transfer of an intense emotion from its original object to another one.
I think I will always remember this summer as one of feeling displaced. Not from my home or space but rather from the daily rhythm I had structured for the every day. Somehow my set, comfortable life has shifted and I find myself in a very different place than this time last year. Not yet at the final destination, I feel very in-between. Exciting things have happened that will come to fruition in the Fall.
It has been difficult to settle into a routine and I am not one who does well without structure. I find it hard to fully connect to the professor part of me and to the Accidental Icon part of me, though both require my attention this summer. Neither feels solid or sturdy right now. I feel the ground shifting under my feet and it makes me unsteady. However, I also know that I need to just hold the unsettledness, it will pass.
Age tells me that at the end of this uncertain time some dreams will be realized and others displaced. My life will right itself. I have been here before. At the end of the day I know that my life is looking up.
Accidental Icon Wears
Blue denim jumper and coat: Sarah Pacini, White Shirt: Trina Turk, Black leather sandals: Jil Sander Navy, Black and Blue lucite earrings: Monies, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban
To see more women’s and menswear looks from Public School go to my Pinterest Board
Unfortunately, I don’t have any advice. Like you I need structure. During times of transition I alternate between excitement and anxiety. As you stated, life always seems to right itself.
On a different note, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog!
You conveyed the experience perfectly. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you enjoy the blog, keeps me motivated!
What an interesting idea!
Unfortunately, I don’t have any advice. Like you I need structure. During times of transition I alternate between excitement and anxiety. As you stated, life always seems to right itself.
On a different note, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog!
You conveyed the experience perfectly. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you enjoy the blog, keeps me motivated!
Try to transform fear into excitement.
What an interesting idea!
Just keep reminding yourself that life is looking up & exciting things have happened. These are good things, even if you’re feeling unsettled at the moment. When I’m feeling in-between-y (I’m also in a period of transition) I try to hang onto smaller routines like going for a local coffee a walk or a swim, allowing myself a bit of time/space to think things through.
It does seem as if the routines I can control are becoming more important, like going to a favorite cafe. Sometimes I do too much thinking!
Thank you so much, I try indeed to provide the experience you describe. I enjoy writing the blog and all of the other fun that comes from being "Accidental Icon". I think par of the feeling of displacement is that I wish I could be doing it full-time and have a ways to go before that can happen.
My own time of transition is requiring me to explore the essentials — what do I absolutely need and what have I just become accustomed to? Will different things/activities please and energize me just as much? Does my current life require equipment/accessories/doodads that I wouldn’t need in another life? How exhausting are the things I value? How rewarding? It’s a tiring but fascinating investigation, I’m finding. Wishing you well as you pursue your own best course!
These are really important questions and good ones to ask to get down to the "essentials" as you say. Thanks for the support and guidance.
I am on my way to the coffeemaker and out for a walk! I am also going to go and experience something that is purely visual. Too much thinking. Thanks I am so glad you enjoy the blog.
My own time of transition is requiring me to explore the essentials — what do I absolutely need and what have I just become accustomed to? Will different things/activities please and energize me just as much? Does my current life require equipment/accessories/doodads that I wouldn’t need in another life? How exhausting are the things I value? How rewarding? It’s a tiring but fascinating investigation, I’m finding. Wishing you well as you pursue your own best course!
These are really important questions and good ones to ask to get down to the "essentials" as you say. Thanks for the support and guidance.
It’s cliche: but I affirm to myself, when my thoughts starts to race and try to figure out what’s going to happen, that now is what I have. That’s all there is. The thoughts are part of a story.
I look around and think of all the things I’m thankful for in this present moment, including life and my awareness. I also reflect back to the times, where I had similar feelings of displacement but made it through to now.
Then, once again, all there is, ever, is now.
And when those feelings of angst arise in my soul causing sadness and sorrow, I go "into" them and experience them, as they are part of life as well. And you know, they "do" past or change forms.
Nothing has nor ever will remain the same for ever: not even feelings. They may morph into different shapes like bubbles on the sidewalk. But it’s all part of what is happening at present. One thing after another, a story without a planned ending.
And then I reflect on what is it that I’m "afraid" of ? Is it real? Has it happened yet? Is it in my imagination. Just see that, in the present moment.
Then I remember I gave all I could and even that can change. Moving on to new things needn’t bring shame. It’s all apart of the story, as well.
This is wise advice as I can easily get lost in the abyss of over thinking. More letting go is in order and on my to do list today.
It’s cliche: but I affirm to myself, when my thoughts starts to race and try to figure out what’s going to happen, that now is what I have. That’s all there is. The thoughts are part of a story.
I look around and think of all the things I’m thankful for in this present moment, including life and my awareness. I also reflect back to the times, where I had similar feelings of displacement but made it through to now.
Then, once again, all there is, ever, is now.
And when those feelings of angst arise in my soul causing sadness and sorrow, I go "into" them and experience them, as they are part of life as well. And you know, they "do" past or change forms.
Nothing has nor ever will remain the same for ever: not even feelings. They may morph into different shapes like bubbles on the sidewalk. But it’s all part of what is happening at present. One thing after another, a story without a planned ending.
And then I reflect on what is it that I’m "afraid" of ? Is it real? Has it happened yet? Is it in my imagination. Just see that, in the present moment.
Then I remember I gave all I could and even that can change. Moving on to new things needn’t bring shame. It’s all apart of the story, as well.
This is wise advice as I can easily get lost in the abyss of over thinking. More letting go is in order and on my to do list today.
I too am going through a period of uneasy transition. It can be challenging but living in the moment is key. I found savouring a morning cup of coffee extremely grounding that, and a short morning walk. Having these two staples makes the rest of the day feel far more bareable.
Your blog is wonderful by the way! I just discovered it and I love your writing, and of course your fabulous outfits!
Lally
I am on my way to the coffeemaker and out for a walk! I am also going to go and experience something that is purely visual. Too much thinking. Thanks I am so glad you enjoy the blog.
Thanks Allie, I really like how you always distinguish between "trend" and style on your blog.
Dear Lynn,
Yours is a unique blog. I come here to be challenged into thinking about fashion in a totally different way. I have never explored the intellectual and emotional aspects of fashion together. Your way of dressing and exploring the mind and creative process of the designers is unique. I’d miss you terribly if you decided to stop your blog.
Thank you so much, I try indeed to provide the experience you describe. I enjoy writing the blog and all of the other fun that comes from being "Accidental Icon". I think par of the feeling of displacement is that I wish I could be doing it full-time and have a ways to go before that can happen.
Transitioning from English professor to CEO of IdentiShare has certainly deconstructed my now allusive structured routine. I am quickly learning to be open to this new path where there is no certain guarantee or outcome; however, such can be said about life in general. But we do need those things onto which we can grasp, embrace, upon which we can rely for comfort. For me, I can rely on a lovely walk with big ‘ol white fur boy, a good breakfast with coffee, running each day, love from my husband and children, and choosing what to wear to feel fabulous. And it is so lovely to read about others who experience displacement and what they do, as you refer so eloquently to right themselves. And these days, I keep T.R.’s words close by in my journal…
"…The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;…" T. Roosevelt
Have a lovely weekend ~
I see we share a similar experience and the idea that those small, daily rituals are what can really keep us steady is what I have been finding on this journey as well. The quote gave me a burst of courage, thanks for that!
I see we share a similar experience and the idea that those small, daily rituals are what can really keep us steady is what I have been finding on this journey as well. The quote gave me a burst of courage, thanks for that!
My dear friend, Lyn,
Not sure what the transition is but I am here. I enjoy your blog enormously and love the photos. More seriously, I feel this transitional angst this summer more than at any other time. My husband’s retirement has me thinking about endings which are never easy. I suppose taking time away from academia in the summer allows one to be more introspective which is good and bad, I think. I struggle with sitting with myself at times. It seems as if you are channeling that marvelously into this blog (and probably many other things if I know you!) Peace and happiness and keep writing!
Oh my have you captured with great eloquence the experience I have during the summer being an academic. I always feel so "ungrateful" that I am not just 100% happy over the summer because we are fortunate to have a job that allows us this time off. But I always feel somewhat unmoored. But what usually happens is that the summer ends with some new initiative or creative pursuit up my sleeve. Thanks for stopping by and being so supportive.
My dear friend, Lyn,
Not sure what the transition is but I am here. I enjoy your blog enormously and love the photos. More seriously, I feel this transitional angst this summer more than at any other time. My husband’s retirement has me thinking about endings which are never easy. I suppose taking time away from academia in the summer allows one to be more introspective which is good and bad, I think. I struggle with sitting with myself at times. It seems as if you are channeling that marvelously into this blog (and probably many other things if I know you!) Peace and happiness and keep writing!
Oh my have you captured with great eloquence the experience I have during the summer being an academic. I always feel so "ungrateful" that I am not just 100% happy over the summer because we are fortunate to have a job that allows us this time off. But I always feel somewhat unmoored. But what usually happens is that the summer ends with some new initiative or creative pursuit up my sleeve. Thanks for stopping by and being so supportive.
In an earlier post, you mentioned wanting to get your two identities to somehow converge. Visually, I imagined two vectors meeting at a single point, which sounds like an all-or-nothing, finite process.
Someone once told me that identity is fluid.
If you envision identity as a sphere of Being, composed of elements like personality traits, characteristics, skills, etc. then maybe merging two identities with a Venn diagram maybe more useful… Like blending black and white to make Grey, and hopefully being able to appreciate the dichotomous and harmonious elements for what the are.. and what they aren’t.
You don’t have to let go of anything, necessarily, just try holding onto it less tightly… especially if these transitions are cyclical.
diver.c.fied* investments
What an articulate think about identity. It sounds like you are talking about holding dualisms, which in my career I had to very good at. When one works in the arena of social problems one must hold many extremes when one is constantly looking at thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Understanding the presence of good and bad, love and hate in the same person was essential.
In an earlier post, you mentioned wanting to get your two identities to somehow converge. Visually, I imagined two vectors meeting at a single point, which sounds like an all-or-nothing, finite process.
Someone once told me that identity is fluid.
If you envision identity as a sphere of Being, composed of elements like personality traits, characteristics, skills, etc. then maybe merging two identities with a Venn diagram maybe more useful… Like blending black and white to make Grey, and hopefully being able to appreciate the dichotomous and harmonious elements for what the are.. and what they aren’t.
You don’t have to let go of anything, necessarily, just try holding onto it less tightly… especially if these transitions are cyclical.
diver.c.fied* investments
What an articulate think about identity. It sounds like you are talking about holding dualisms, which in my career I had to very good at. When one works in the arena of social problems one must hold many extremes when one is constantly looking at thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Understanding the presence of good and bad, love and hate in the same person was essential.
Wow glad I am not the only one that feels this way. And love the intro photo!
Allie of ALLIENYC
allienyc.com
Thanks Allie, I really like how you always distinguish between "trend" and style on your blog.
As you state, "I’ve been here before." There’s something comforting about that, which comes with aging. After many transitions, I can remind myself of just that. You reveal wisdom as well as beauty. A compelling combination!
It does seem as if the routines I can control are becoming more important, like going to a favorite cafe. Sometimes I do too much thinking!
Thank you my dear. I am following your new transition to grey. I can’t wait to see where you end up and what you do with it.
As you state, "I’ve been here before." There’s something comforting about that, which comes with aging. After many transitions, I can remind myself of just that. You reveal wisdom as well as beauty. A compelling combination!
Thank you my dear. I am following your new transition to grey. I can’t wait to see where you end up and what you do with it.