Embracing Messy Midpoints: Why Transition Isn’t a Straight Line

We love neat beginnings and satisfying endings. The fresh start of a new year. The victory lap at the finish line. The big reveal after a renovation. Those moments feel good because they’re clean and clear. But what about the in-between? The midpoint of a transition—when the old isn’t quite gone and the new hasn’t fully arrived (think about your last kitchen renovation) —this can feel confusing, messy, and uncomfortable.

I’ve sat with clients who ask, “Why don’t I feel better yet?” or “Shouldn’t this be easier by now?” The truth? Growth rarely follows a straight line. It’s usually a zig-zag of steps forward, steps back, and seasons where it feels like nothing is happening at all. And that’s not failure—it’s the nature of transformation.

Recognize: Growth Looks Messy on Purpose

Think about a construction site. Before the shiny new building stands tall, there are months of dust, noise, and half-finished walls. The same is true for your own life transitions. Whether you’re navigating a career change, a personal reset, or even a new rhythm at home, the messy middle is where the real foundation gets built.

When you expect the midpoint to feel polished, you end up judging yourself for being “behind.” Instead, recognize the mess as evidence that important work is happening under the surface.

Navigate: Practical Tools for the Midpoint

So what do you do when you’re in the thick of it?

• Journal honestly: Ask yourself, “What am I holding onto that I no longer need?” or “What am I afraid will happen if I move forward?”

• Reframe setbacks: A detour doesn’t mean you’re lost; it means you’re learning another route.

• Practice patience: Give yourself permission to be in process. Transformation isn’t a microwave—it’s a slow simmer.

• Lean on community: Share your messy midpoint with people who will encourage, not rush, you.

  
  

Reframe: Courage is Found in the Mess

When you embrace the messy middle, you begin to see it differently. It’s no longer a problem to “fix” but a season to walk through with intention. Courage isn’t the absence of doubt; it’s moving forward even while the paint is still wet and the boxes aren’t unpacked.

You’re not failing because it feels unfinished. You’re simply in the middle, and that’s exactly where growth takes root.

Reflection

Take a moment today to ask yourself:

1. Where am I currently in a messy midpoint?

2. What am I learning here that I couldn’t have learned at the start or the end?

3. What’s one small practice I can use this week to steady myself in the middle?

Remember: the midpoint is not wasted space. It’s the laboratory of resilience, clarity, and courage. If you’re walking through it right now, take heart—you’re building something new, even if you can’t see it yet.