A Work in Progress
Navigating Life’s In-Betweens
Transitions, whether planned or thrust upon us, have a funny way of unraveling our old selves while hinting at what’s possible. The question isn’t whether we’ll change—it’s whether we’ll embrace the in-between with curiosity or resist it with restless uncertainty.
I’ve often wondered if transitions are less about leaps of faith and more about small experiments—tiny steps that let us prototype our future selves.
When we resist the urge to bulldoze through the uncertainty, we might discover the joy of the build-up—the suspense that makes the crescendo unforgettable.
Small Steps, Big Impact
During transitions, we often feel the pressure to have all the answers—to know exactly who we’re becoming. But transformation is rarely that linear. It’s iterative, a process of experimenting, testing, and refining.
Here’s a napkin sketch to get you started:
• Start Small: Experiment with tiny shifts—dedicating time to explore a forgotten passion or reaching out to someone whose career intrigues you.
• Fail Gracefully: Treat every attempt as a learning experience. Think of it as your sandbox, not a stage for perfection.
• Discover Glimmers: Notice what lights you up—those micro-moments of joy or inspiration.
Each experiment builds your identity capital—the investments in skills, relationships, and self-awareness that bolster your sense of self and point you toward what’s next. The invitation here isn’t to fix but to notice, discern, and welcome the opening.
From Stuck to Sprouting
Think of transitions as nature’s reset button. A forest fire may seem destructive, but it clears the way for new growth. Without the destruction, we’re stuck in the same routines, the same stories. Cue the yawn.
What lies dormant in you that’s ready to bloom? Perhaps it’s time to revisit an idea you shelved years ago or pursue something entirely new. The beauty of transitions is their invitation to reimagine what’s possible.
The Upside of the Muck
Here’s the good news: transitions offer upsides, too. They nudge us to reprioritize, spark spiritual awakenings, and make us care a lot less about what others think. Most importantly, they permit us to write a new story—one that chooses enlargement over comfort.
Prompts for the In-Between
• What’s one outdated story about yourself you’re ready to release?
• Becoming beats being. What’s one small step you can take this week toward the person you’re becoming?
• Who can you learn from, and will you reach out?
Take the Meet The World 2025 Deck for a Test Drive—download it here.
Embracing the in-between may feel as appealing as skipping your morning coffee, but this liminal space is fertile ground for growth. When life feels up in the air, it’s the perfect moment to pause, widen your lens, and trust the process. After all, when you know exactly how everything will pan out, there’s no room for serendipity–no room for magic.
Your Next Chapter Awaits
Here’s the liberating truth: from a psychological perspective, identity isn’t fixed. We’re natural storytellers, continually shaping narratives to fit the roles we play in different settings. This means we can rewrite who we are—not by erasing the past, but by reframing it to align with the person we’re becoming.
Transitions aren’t about solving—they’re about listening. Start small, stay curious, and let your story evolve. A better you is already in the works. And if you choose your words wisely, you might just rewrite the trajectory of your life.
Are you navigating a transition right now? Reply to this email —I’d love to hear from you.
A version of this article first appeared at Shift where I’m partnering on a new series called Make Shift Happen—inspiring stories and actionable tips to shift your perspective and intentionally design the life you desire.
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Meeting the World
This year, through Early Doors, we shift our focus outward as we welcome the Lunar Year of the Wood Snake, beginning with the new moon on January 29th. The Wood Snake, celebrated for its wisdom, intuition, adaptability, and strategic nature, invites us to explore how we meet the world—through presence, intuition, collaboration, and connection.
Shifting States
My recent FieldTrip for CreativeMornigns saw hundreds move through their bodies to help shift their inner ‘scripts’ to become pure. This is the playlist to help discover the beauty of transitions.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
—Arthur Ashe
Love it! This especially pings for me: "Each experiment builds your identity capital—the investments in skills, relationships, and self-awareness that bolster your sense of self and point you toward what’s next. The invitation here isn’t to fix but to notice, discern, and welcome the opening."