Someone said to me that I needed to "come out the shadows" and whilst agreeing with them I also knew it was great subject for the next episode #62 of the Landscaping Your Life Podcast (Apple/Spotify).

A great subject because I believe we can find much insight by using the landscapes in our language as metaphors for the situation in hand. Which means:

• When you can't see the wood(s) for the trees in an area of your life go and visit a wood (there's a pdf here on the subject)
• If you want to turn a corner in your life go into nature and find a corner to turn (see this vlog)
• If you're at a crossroads experiment with making decisions at as many crossroads as you can find outside (to find out more listen to this episode of the podcast Apple/Spotify)

Because, whilst metaphorical, the patterns you notice out in nature will also be the same sorts of patterns happening in that situation you're grappling with.

And don't just trust me on that - why not have a go for yourself - I promise you will be very very surprised with the insight that emerges. To help you do that you'll find an index of episodes for all sort of different idioms we use when we're stuck here - just pick the episode that best describes how you're feeling about the situation.

The idiom Coming out of the shadows is used to describe no longer hiding ourselves or our expertise from the world.

We might be hiding for a number of reasons perhaps because of our fear of the non shadow (or whatever is beyond it), or the comfort we find within the shadow, or something else entirely.

As you'll hear in the episode what I discovered when I took myself out into nature to explore being in the shadows was about the assumptions I was making about the non shadow - assumptions that were incorrect and yet were keeping me firmly hidden from the world.

You can hear my surprise that stepping out of the shadow just wasn't the big effort I thought it would be - as I say in the poem I also share in the episode and below - no spot light, no scorching sun just normal things happening inviting me to take part and enjoy being out there.

If you think you might be hiding from the world I'd certainly recommend you having a listen to the episode #62 of the Landscaping Your Life podcast (Apple/Spotify).

Other Landscaping Your Life podcast episodes that might resonate with coming out of the shadows and therefore may offer different insights include:

• #31 How to put your head above the parapet (Apple/Spotify)
• #56 Testing the water (Apple/Spotify)
• #61 What to do when you’re at a deadend in your life (Apple/Spotify)

Here's some more general information about the Landscaping Your Life with Alison Smith podcast and the Landscaping Your Life (LYL) process used in the podcast episodes to help you get back on track when you don't know what to do.

• How to get the most from the podcast (including an index of all the episodes to date)
• Other podcast guest conversations - where I speak about the LYL toolkit on other people's podcasts
• Where landscaping your life first started
• Going on a Landscaping Your Life walk 
• Signing up for the LYL newsletter
• The LYL YouTube channel
• Using the metaphor in your language when you're stuck as a means for finding the solution
• My first book Can't see the wood for the trees - landscaping your life to get back on track
• My latest book Your prescription for wellbeing journal

With a reminder that likes, follows, shares and reviews of the podcast are very much appreciated.

Here's what one listener said after listening to episode #23 How to stop treading water in a situation in your life (Apple/Spotify) 🙂

If you're interested in finding out more about the Landscaping Your life coaching, speaking or team sessions do get in touch alison@alisonsmith.co +44(0)7770 538159