Learning to Love the In-between

Change is part of life, but that doesn’t mean it feels easy.

Even when we choose it—leaving a job, starting therapy, ending a relationship—it can still bring discomfort, doubt, and grief.

Psychologically, transitions shake up our sense of identity. We lose familiar roles, routines, and reference points. It’s normal to feel unsteady. You’re not who you were, but you’re not yet who you’re becoming. That in-between space? It’s called a “liminal” space—and it’s where real growth begins.

Carl Rogers said, “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” This is especially true in transition. Acceptance doesn’t mean passivity—it creates the safety we need to move forward.

Here’s what I often remind my clients (and myself):
You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just be curious. Be kind to yourself. And take the next right step.

Try this:
– Slow down and name what you’re feeling. Emotions are data. They can guide you.
– Focus on what matters most right now. Let that be your anchor.
– Let go of timelines. Change rarely follows a schedule.
– Notice the small shifts. They count more than you think.

If you’re in the in-between right now, it doesn’t mean you’re lost. It might just mean you’re in the middle of becoming.

Something to reflect upon:
– What am I letting go of right now?
– What feels unclear or unsettled?
– What do I want to move toward, even if I’m not ready yet?
– What would support look like for me today?

Therapy can help you find clarity in the in-between.