Have you ever noticed there are certain places, spaces, or even times of day where you feel more creative? For me, it’s always the “in between”—those magical liminal spaces that are not quite one thing or the other. As someone who isn’t much of a morning person, twilight is my favorite time of day. It’s not fully day, but not night yet either. It’s that in-between space where everything seems possible.
There’s something special about being on the edge of two worlds, whether that’s the time of day, a physical space, or even a feeling. I’ve always been drawn to these in-between places: porches, outside rooms, and even indoor spaces filled with plants that blur the line between inside and out. My desk is always near a big window so I can have a view of the outdoors while being inside. Even better, I love positioning my desk so I can see into another room. That way, I’m mentally in two spaces at once—inside and outside, or one room flowing into the next.
Shorelines, the edges of meadows, and other places where two distinct environments meet have always felt energizing to me. Camping in a travel trailer gave me that same feeling too. I spent six months traveling solo around the USA, living in that sweet spot between inside and outside—my home on wheels and the wild nature surrounding me. It’s no wonder I felt so alive and inspired!
For the longest time, I didn’t really understand why I was so drawn to these in-between spaces. Then I came across Human Design, a system I study as a hobby. Human Design has a concept called “environment,” which refers to the physical and energetic spaces that support your creativity and well-being. There are six main environments, and mine is “Shores.” In Human Design, Shores represent places where two contrasting elements meet, like where the land meets water, or the edge of a forest meets a meadow. It clicked for me—being in these in-between spaces is what fuels my creativity and helps me feel balanced.
And now, I’m starting to realize that this “in-between” nature isn’t just about physical spaces, but also about how I process emotions and desires. I’ve often felt like I hold two conflicting feelings or desires at once, and for the longest time, I thought it was my ADHD brain being scattered or indecisive. But what if it’s just part of who I am? What if I don’t have to choose one thing over the other? Instead, I can stand in both places—both desires, both emotions—and find balance there.
I’m still exploring what this means for my creativity and my surface pattern design business, but I’m hopeful that embracing this way of being will open up new possibilities. Sometimes, creativity thrives in the spaces we least expect—the edges, the transitions, the in-betweens.
So, how can you find the places, spaces, or times that ignite your creative spark? Pay attention to where you feel most energized, clear-headed, or inspired. Maybe it’s a cozy corner of your home, a spot in nature, or a certain time of day when you feel a flow of ideas. For me, it’s the liminal spaces that offer that special magic, but for you, it might be something entirely different.
The key is to notice what environments make you come alive and carve out time to spend in them. Sometimes, creativity thrives in the spaces we least expect—the edges, the transitions, the in-betweens. Where will you find yours?
