This week’s transit invites us to pause and reflect on the spaces where we feel stuck and the stories we tell ourselves about those moments. The Sun is shining in Human Design Gate 60, bringing the energy of Acceptance, also known as the gate Limitation, while the Earth highlights Gate 56, known as The Storyteller. Together, these gates ask us to embrace our limitations while finding meaning and growth within them.
Gate 60 is about accepting constraints. It’s the space between what is and what could be—the moments of pause where transformation begins. This energy can feel heavy, like hitting a wall, but its wisdom lies in teaching us that limitations aren’t obstacles; they’re part of the process. When we lean into the gift of Realism, we find clarity in what we once saw as blocks.
Gate 56 brings the energy of storytelling and exploration. It challenges us to reframe our experiences, turning what might seem like distractions into enrichment. Are we lost in the “what-ifs,” or are we weaving those moments into a meaningful narrative? This energy reminds us that even when we feel we’re standing still, the journey is unfolding.
How Human Design Gate 60 and 56 Are Showing Up For Me
Earlier today, I stumbled across a blog post I wrote in 2013 as a guest on a friend’s website. Reading it felt like opening a time capsule, pulling me back to a version of myself I hadn’t thought about in years. (you can read it here if you’d like.) At that time, I was immersed in retail fashion, constantly hearing comments like, “You always dress so well,” or “I wish I knew how to put outfits together like you.”
Inspired by those conversations, I decided I wanted to help people embrace their personal style. But looking back, I can see how the energy of limitation, much like Gate 60, held me back.
Revisiting a Vision-Deferred
In 2013, I began dreaming of creating a business to help people feel confident in their personal style. I imagined myself going into clients’ homes, sorting through their closets, and helping them build wardrobes that aligned with who they were. The idea felt exciting and aligned, but doubts crept in. Despite testing it with friends who were thrilled with the results, fear held me back.
Who would invite a stranger into their home for this kind of work? Would anyone pay the fees I felt were warranted for my time? Honestly, the idea of entering strangers’ homes alone made me uncomfortable but in 2013 so few businesses were virtual. It never even entered my mind this could be done over Zoom. These perceived limitations—my own “Gate 60 moments”—felt overwhelming.
Eventually, I let the vision fade. At the time, I believed I needed to have everything perfectly figured out before I could move forward, and that belief became a self-imposed limitation.
The Journey to Expansion
Fast forward to 2021, when I attended my first Human Design conference. During lunch one day, a fellow attendee noticed how animated I became when talking about style and suggested I find a way to blend it with Human Design. Later, I spoke with Robin Winn, a mentor and Human Design author, who encouraged me to explore the idea further.
At first, I thought Human Design might provide clues about how people “should” dress. But over time, I realized it wasn’t about prescriptions. Instead, Human Design teaches us to trust ourselves enough to make authentic decisions—decisions that align with who we truly are, free from conditioning or societal expectations.
This insight shifted everything. It took years of personal growth and a journey of radical self-trust to bring this vision back to life. Now, as I prepare to launch Shine Your Light: A 5-Day Style Confidence Challenge, I feel like I’ve come full circle. What felt impossible in 2013 now feels perfectly aligned.
Reflection Prompts
The energies of Gates 60 and 56 remind us that limitations aren’t the end of the road—they’re the beginning of transformation.
Here are some questions to guide your reflection this week:
- What dreams have you set aside because of perceived limitations?
- How can you reframe those experiences to find value in what they taught you?
- What steps can you take now to bring clarity and focus to your goals?
These energies teach us to embrace the “space between” and to honor the stories we’re creating along the way. Let’s approach our limitations with compassion and tell our stories with confidence.
Shine Your Light
This blog highlights how limitations and storytelling shape our journey—and that’s exactly what we explore in Shine Your Light: A 5-Day Style Confidence Challenge, launching January 21st.
This challenge perfectly captures the energy of Gate 60’s limitations and Gate 56’s storytelling, guiding you to embrace the constraints in your life while crafting a true, empowered, and authentic story of self-expression. It’s about aligning your outward style with the inner truth of who you are, no matter what circumstances shape your life.
Your story matters. Your light matters. Just like a lampshade focuses the glow of a bulb, our limitations can shape and direct our brilliance. Let’s make 2025 the year you embrace your journey, honor your limitations, and shine your light exactly where it’s needed most.
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