The In Between Spaces
Welcome to the Soul Work Collective blog, we are so happy you are here!
This week’s note is from McKenzie, read along for her thoughts on the in-between life period.
As a therapist, I often meet people in the in-between, the quiet, sometimes confusing space where things aren’t falling apart, but they’re not falling into place either.
This could look like that time when you are standing at a career crossroads, unsure if your job is fulfilling or just familiar. Maybe you're questioning a relationship or navigating the aftermath of a pivotal breakup. Or you're thinking about starting a family, but your mind is split between excitement and anxiety of the unknown. Maybe you're just… tired, feeling unaligned, stuck, or indifferent, not sure entirely sure where to go next. These moments can feel like they are been your normal for all too long, maybe we are even unsure of when they started, or how to find a path out.
This in-between is uncomfortable. Our minds often looking to seek clarity, to find answers. I often look to move towards and explore this space, as I have found it is often where the work begins and direction is found.
From my perspective and journey, growth rarely happens in certainty. It happens in the pause before the decision, in the silence after loss, in the questions between chapters. The in-between, while uncomfortable and at times overwhelming, can often teach us patience, resilience, and self-trust. It invites you to sit with your values, question your assumptions, and gently explore what you truly want, not what others expect of you.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stay, reflect, and allow space for the next step to be revealed, or uncovered. Therapy can be a companion in this waiting room of life, not to rush you through it, but to walk beside you as you make meaning of the tangles and rediscover your direction.
Sounds great, right? So how do we do this? In my work I strive to approach these tangles through exploration and action, a gentle balance of moving toward but not rushing through. To try and simplify this, I have listed what I find to be my paths forward in clarity seeking.
Values: What motivates your actions? What’s guiding you in the choices you make? Do you have a map to look back at when times feel foggy?
Passions: In a world with so many options we may often pull to distract and scroll, but what do you actually like doing? Have you watched others live their lives through your screen, but not taken time to live your own?
Alignment: With who, doing what, and when do you feel the most aligned? (those values above would be super helpful here). Is that icky feeling you’ve been feeling all to often an indicator of misalignment?
Action: We found all these pieces, now we have to take action. In my view confidence comes in the doing.
Because the in-between? It’s not nothing. It’s becoming.
*The content shared on this blog is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It reflects personal perspectives and insights from a therapist’s point of view, but it is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, diagnosis, or advice.
Reading this blog does not establish a therapeutic relationship. If you are experiencing emotional distress or mental health concerns, please reach out to a licensed mental health professional in your area. Everyone’s experiences are unique, and what’s shared here may not apply to your specific situation.
If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please contact emergency services or a local crisis line.