Other Things to Hold, if “Holding Space” Doesn’t Feel like an Option
If you’ve ever been asked to “hold space” for someone or something, you may have asked yourself the following: what does that mean? Or perhaps: how do I do that? Or even: how can I hold “space,” when “space” doesn’t have handles? It can be tough to know what people mean by “hold space,” so if you need some alternatives, read on.
The wheel of your car, whether or not you’ve been told its self-driving features work. Better safe than sorry.
Your head high.
Contradictory opinions in your head at once. This is the mark of a true thinker, according to one of those dead white guys.
Your trash, for about 45 minutes walking through NYC, as there are basically no trash cans anymore.
Your serious expression as you try to pretend you know what your girlfriend means when she says “holding space.” Why don’t women just speak directly!?
Your tongue, when your girlfriend tells you you’re being insensitive. Maybe you shouldn’t have made that joke about “space” not having handles. But it doesn’t…
The door for your girlfriend, as she tries to slam it behind you. She’s mad, because apparently, yet again, you failed to listen.
Flowers. Hang onto those flowers you intend to give her; that’s probably the only thing that can fix this situation. But in your defense, the expression makes no sense.
Her horses, right before she tells you this relationship isn’t working. If she’s not going to hold her horses, you have to do it for her.
Your new ex-girlfriend’s luggage, as you help her get it into her car. This is an important show of support that says, “Please don’t go!! I’ll figure out what holding space means!”
Dumbbells. Men should always be holding dumbbells, especially when their lives are falling apart. And dumbbells – famously – do have handles.
Your head in your hands, as you try to understand how things spun out of control so quickly.
Your phone, as you consider calling your friend to discuss it. Except, you’re not really sure how to do that. Like…calling a friend, to talk about feelings? What if he has nothing to say? What if he says he’ll hold space for you, and the whole situation repeats itself? No, don’t do it.
A beer. This is much easier to hold. You own a holder specifically for one, after all.
Your shock, when you realize she left you the cat. I mean, it was her cat. “My friend’s place won’t let me take a cat,” she says.
Your own hand, Miley-Cyrus-style. She’s gone.
Your cat. Your new cat. It's just the two of you, now.
Nothing. It turns out cats don’t like being held.
