What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About the Messy Middle 

Here’s the part no one really warns you about: the middle.

Not the exciting beginning, full of fresh vision.
Not the satisfying end, where the breakthrough happens.
The middle—the stretch of time where you’re not where you were, but not quite where you’re going.

It’s uncomfortable. Confusing. Quiet.

And honestly? It’s where most of the real transformation happens. 

✨ My Messy Middle Moment

There was a season (okay, more than one) where I felt like I was wandering through fog. Something had ended, but the next thing hadn’t started. People would ask, “So what are you doing now?” and I’d smile and say “Figuring it out,” while inside I felt completely ungrounded.

There’s no roadmap for the middle. No checklist for what to do when your old identity doesn’t fit anymore but your new one hasn’t landed yet.

I wish someone had told me that feeling lost doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re evolving.

🧭 The Psychology of In-Between

What we call “the messy middle” is actually a recognized part of any life transition. Psychologist William Bridges calls it the neutral zone—the space between the ending and the new beginning. It’s where grief, confusion, creativity, and growth all mix together.

Your brain hates this zone because it lacks clarity and certainty. But this is also where the most meaningful changes happen.

This is where you learn patience.
This is where your values get clarified.
This is where you build the inner strength you’ll need for what’s next.

🛠️ How to Stay Grounded in the In-Between

• Name where you are. Just saying “I’m in the middle” can be powerful. It normalizes the process.
  
  

• Stop rushing. Fast answers are usually fear-based. Let the next step rise organically.
  
  

• Create structure. Even if life feels fuzzy, stick to routines that ground your body and mind.
  
  

Lean on your people. Find those who can sit with you without needing to fix it.

If you're in the messy middle right now—this blog is for you.
You’re not broken. You’re becoming.
This is not the end of your story—it’s the molting before the flight.