From one’s own volition

Inviting in and creating space for new opportunities

Guiding inquiry: What is important to know now to be in connection with my purpose?

Elements: Self, value, challenge, resource, capacity and the unknown

This map series emerged from the client's feelings at the beginning of a session. “There is pressure on my back and tension in my stomach.” From there, we peeled back the layers and learned more about the pressure and tension present. There was a familiar sense of feeling pushed towards goals that were not hers. Once she arrived at the prescribed milestone or achievement, it brought up fear that she didn’t deserve to be there. This fear set the cycle in motion again.

We decided to create a new map set and one dedicated to transforming old patterns and mindsets — from a state of reactivity and self-doubt to leaning into new possibilities in life, being open-minded, and feeling comfortable in the unknown. We used a systems sensing approach with the inquiry and elements above.

Key insights and wisdom of each element:

• Self: Too comfortable and not in “the good” way. Feeling bored and lost — like there is no point.

• Value (emerging): “Get ready for adventure” and a calling to “step out of your comfort zone.” To get there it said “create space for me.” Time for self brings clarity of goals.

• Challenge: The thing she needed to watch out for was how to discern — when and how to prioritize space for herself. This was the inner - muscle she had to “actively exercise.”

• Resource: Compassion, care, and curiosity. It became grounding to experience feelings including grief and also joy, rather than make herself wrong.

• Unknown: Open and close one chapter or one thing at a time. She developed a small ritual to close something consciously which included appreciation.

Integration

I shared the map after she had a week to integrate it. “That’s me. I feel so seen,” she shared in response. In several other coaching calls, we often referred back to the maps for reference. Many of the new patterns and goals were generally quick for her to implement. As she stayed open to new opportunities, she explored new roles and began to see herself differently. In general, she reported that she was more kind and compassionate to herself and felt more resourced as a result.

Honoring self in a major transition

Creating a sense of security in self, when everything else is new or feels uncertain

Inquiry: How to improve the being in relationship with myself to build a secure attachment with myself and in my relationships.

Elements: Self, secure attachment, boundaries, inner knowing (voice, heart, gut), 3-year-old son, resource

The experiential journey

During a job change, separation, and move, this client was looking for a way to stay centered and resourced amid all of the changes. She feared she might revert to old patterns of not listening to her inner guidance and not honoring her needs during this major transition. We developed an inquiry that referred to the term secure attachment to mean a healthy form of relating that can include feelings of comfort, protection, and a sense of being able to rely on yourself or someone. Developing security and a sense of safety meant strengthening and honoring her boundaries and trust in herself and her inner knowing. Specifically, she wanted to know how to honor her experience and “hold space to have an authentic experience” during the transition. This included how to direct her energy which felt expansive and with compassion for others, her work, and most importantly her 3-year-old son.

This experiential journey explored the elements above and their relationships with one another. Insight from the elements included:

• Self: She received a visual of a dance pose, a silhouette – having a grand old time. Head back, chest open, arm up. She saw herself continually opening up and expanding. There was also a sense of dancing with others, each enjoying their own experience while having fun being in the company of the other.

• Context or land: She felt a connection to something larger, with a living life force and infinite energy. Being in relationship with it requires surrender but allows her to manifest her goals. She noticed a dance quality with it as well.

• Secure attachment: the safety of being held. A hug and embrace. It included compassion, gentleness, and acceptance.

• Boundaries: She visualized a bubble or transparent dome that created a safe container. “It is flexible and allows me to move freely. It evolves with me and works with me.” The message was clear. She could either honor them or wrestle them. She could either validate her boundaries and needs or wish they didn’t have to exist. When honored and validated, it works with her and is an extension of her. The intelligence comes together. She concluded, “I have a responsibility of how to be in relationship with them.”

• Her son: She got a sense of what this period was like for him and it created a lot of empathy for his experience. His desire was for connection. She saw how taking care of herself led to being able to be fully present with him.

• Resource: Community became an important resource and created this sense of flow and exchange being able to receive support and give support.

Integration:

She felt much more stable, clear, and energized the weeks after the session. She shared that the map helped her to feel seen and supported in her experience. She asked me to ship it to her and it now sits on her desk so she can see it daily.

Making more aligned decisions

This client wanted to know how to channel her energy, experience, skills, and abilities to align with her path and purpose for greater well-being and outcomes. A key discovery in this process was from an unknown aspect that we identified as the moment or space before decisions were made. She experienced it as a living pulse that could be brought up through her feet that allowed her to connect more deeply with her own rhythm and flow in the context of her life.

A map of the session