Domain: Avoidance & Delay Loops 3-5 min read Updated: 2026-01-15

Staying Close Without Stepping In

You can stay close

without stepping in.

Proximity does not

require immersion.

The shoreline holds

both contact

and distance.

This option matters

for systems

that fear

being pulled in

too far.

Let closeness exist

without crossing

a boundary.

Allow safe proximity with DojoWell.

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Frequently Asked Questions

I’m nervous about getting back into my routine. Do I have to jump all the way in?

No, try "Staying Close Without Stepping In." In the Meaning Density Model™, "Proximity" is a valid stage of regulation. You can sit at your desk without opening your laptop. You can look at your calendar without making a commitment. Staying "near" the work without "engaging" proves to your Safety system that the work isn't a "Trap." This reduces the "Threat Density" of your responsibilities.

Isn't "staying close without engaging" just more procrastination?

No, it’s "Strategic Desensitization." Procrastination is "Avoidance + Guilt." Staying close is "Observation + Intent." By choosing to be near the work without the "Entry Demand," you are rebuilding your "Structural Comfort." DojoWell suggests that "Staying Close" is the bridge between "Avoidance" and "Integration." Once your system feels safe in the "Proximity Zone," "Stepping In" becomes a low-friction natural next step.