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# Expand and contract
- URL: https://emilymorter.com/expand-and-contract/
- Published: 2021-12-03T09:13:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-16T06:44:29.000Z
- Description: push and pull of life, new studio space, taking a break
- Author: Emily Morter
- Tags: Writing

I've been thinking about expansion and contraction this month. The push and pull of life. And how we respond to it.  
  
It's easy to label one good and the other bad, depending on your perspective. Expanding and getting back out there, good. Contracting and staying home, bad. Feeling super stressed, anxious or edgy, bad. Feeling calm, slow or relaxed, good.  
  
I gain a different perspective if I think about it like an in breath and out breath or waves ebbing and flowing. We need both. Neither are good or bad. It's normal to move from one to the other, over and over again.  
  
It's not comfortable to hold or stay stuck in one direction for too long. And if we do get stuck, there is often some big wild swinging between the two states before we regain our equilibrium. Also some discomfort when we stretch further into either direction than we have for a while is normal.  
  
Sometimes expanding and contracting is easy and subconscious, other times it takes a lot of practice and awareness. It's all part of normal nervous system regulation and being alive.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/ec/5dece2dd-1b31-4e64-87f1-1d453618bd9f/content/images/2026/08/2677da81-126c-4a59-a24f-4661c597d2e4_2738x2738-jpeg-1.jpg)

"I roll with the ebbs and flows", St Kilda Nov 2021

### New space coming soon...

  
We are building a studio in our backyard. A work space just for me. It has been in planning and delayed for most of this year, so am *very* excited that work has started this week. I hope to welcome you in the new space early next year.  

### Taking a break

  
I'll be taking a three week break this holiday season to re-energise with my family. My last day of work will be Friday 17 December, returning Monday 10 January. I hope you have a chance to pause and take some rest too.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/5d/ec/5dece2dd-1b31-4e64-87f1-1d453618bd9f/content/images/2026/08/30b01e5c-1b0c-4ac8-9dd3-81ab8cac1ed9_2738x2738-jpeg.jpg)

Freedom, Elwood Nov 2021

Take care and be intentional with your energy and time,  
  
Emily