What It Means to Be in an In-Between Stage of Life and How to Manage It
An in-between stage of life is a transition period when you are no longer who you were, but not yet who you’re becoming. These seasons often happen during empty nest, career changes, family caregiving, retirement, or anytime you are redefining your identity.
You often feel unsure of yourself during the in-between stages. Although feeling lost is extremely common, these times are meaningful and transformative.
In-between stages can feel difficult because they involve uncertainty, identity shifts, and letting go of old roles. Even though they can feel uncomfortable, these seasons are where personal growth, clarity, and new purpose often begin. These in-between stages often signal that you are outgrowing old roles and preparing for a new chapter of purpose and personal growth.
Think about those times when you were suddenly looking for what was, and you had not yet figured out what was going to be. I call these times the in-between spaces. Huffington Post has a great article about how to practice embracing these spaces.
For me, one of those moments was when my kids moved out. Suddenly, the role that had shaped so much of my identity was gone, and I wasn’t sure who I was supposed to be next. Another was after both of my parents passed away and I felt like an orphan. I didn’t know how not to be a daughter… and I certainly didn’t know how to be an orphan.
These seasons can be deeply unsettling. You don’t know where you fit anymore. You don’t know what your role is now — or what it’s going to be. You just know that everything feels different.
Let me share a poem I discovered in my search for more information about these delicate phases of life.
Embracing the In-Between Stages of Growth
“The in-between stage can feel unsettling.
You’re no longer who you were,
But you’re not fully who you’re becoming yet.
It’s uncomfortable. Quiet. Sometimes lonely.
And still… it’s sacred.
This season isn’t asking you to rush or prove anything.
It’s asking you to shed what no longer fits and
To trust what’s slowly taking shape inside you.
You may feel uncertain today.
You may miss what was, even if it hurt.
You may question if you’re doing enough
Or moving fast enough.
Nothing is wrong with you.
Growth often feels like standing still
Because it happens inward first.
The in-between is where strength is rebuilt.
Where boundaries are learned.
Where clarity forms without forcing it.
Where you learn to sit with yourself and
Choose yourself without needing permission.
Let go of the pressure to “arrive.”
Trust that every small, honest choice
Is guiding you forward even when
You can’t see the destination yet.
You’re not stuck. You’re not lost.
You are exactly where you’re meant to be.
Trust the process and just keep going!
Stay strong. You got this.
I believe in you.”
Do you know this feeling? Can you relate to the words of Mr. Wildes? Do you have favorite lines in the poem? My favorite line is: Where you learn to sit with yourself and choose yourself without needing permission. Psychology Today has an insightful article that explores the importance of sitting with ourselves, especially in the in-between spaces when we have time.
Now let’s learn more about the in-between spaces of life.
Embrace the in-between spaces
The in-between is not a waiting room — it’s a becoming room. It’s where you’re no longer who you were, but not yet who you’re becoming. For women in midlife, this space is often where old roles fade and new desires begin to whisper.
Embracing the in-between means allowing yourself to pause, reflect, and choose who you want to grow into next — without rushing, apologizing, or shrinking.
Life still happens in the in-between
Even when life feels unsettled, it doesn’t stop being meaningful. Joy still shows up. Connections still deepen. Small miracles still happen.
The in-between isn’t a blank chapter — it’s a quiet, powerful part of your story where healing, insight, and courage quietly take root. You don’t have to wait for clarity to start living. Just live.
In-between spaces can be uncomfortable
Growth almost always feels awkward before it feels empowering. The in-between can stir up doubt, grief, fear, and that uneasy feeling of “Who am I now?”
But discomfort isn’t a sign you’re failing — it’s proof that you’re outgrowing something that no longer fits. This is where real transformation begins.
Change during in-between seasons
The in-between is where reinvention quietly starts. It’s where you release what no longer serves you and make space for what’s next — even if you don’t yet know what that looks like.
It takes courage to keep moving forward when the path isn’t clear, reminding you that every season of becoming matters.
Moving forward when you feel stuck
Feeling stuck is often a sign that you are in an in-between stage of life. Start by focusing on small, meaningful steps instead of trying to solve everything at once. Reflection, journaling, and allowing yourself time to process change can help you gain clarity and confidence.
Signs that you’re in a life transition
Common signs include feeling restless, uncertain about your role or identity in life, grieving what used to be, or feeling called toward something new.
Life feels unsettled because something beautiful is unfolding. These seasons of transition may be uncomfortable, but they are also rich with possibility, insight, and quiet strength.
In-between stages don’t have a timeline
There is no fixed timeline. Some transitions last weeks, while others unfold over months or even years. The in-between is not something to rush — it is a natural part of personal growth and becoming who you are meant to be.
Finding purpose during in-between stages
Purpose often emerges when you allow yourself to explore new interests, reconnect with what brings you joy, and release expectations tied to old roles. Midlife is a powerful time for redefining who you are and what truly matters.
Tips to feel less anxious in in-between stages
Staying present, practicing self-compassion, and trusting that clarity will come are key. Reading, reflection, inspirational quotes, and connecting with others who understand this season of life can make the in-between feel less lonely and more meaningful.
Final thoughts about in-between stages of life
The in-between stages of life — those quiet, messy, uncertain spaces between who you were and who you’re becoming — are often where the deepest growth happens. They’re where you begin to hear your own voice more clearly and reconnect with your most authentic self.
Uncertainty is part of every reinvention. When fear shows up, it’s usually because you’re focused too far ahead instead of grounded in where you are right now. The in-between invites you to slow down, trust the process, and let life reveal what’s next — one step at a time.
You don’t have to have everything figured out to move forward. Start with what you have. Take the small steps. Let go of what no longer fits. And allow yourself to grow gently into the next version of you.
