Courage for the In-Between

When you’re moving through a season of change or a time of transition, there is invariably a point at which you are not where you were and you’re also not where you want to be; you are somewhere in-between.

The in-between is hard. It either feels like nothing is happening or worse like everything is going wrong. The in-between can feel mundane and ordinary or it can feel overwhelming and exhausting. You long for some semblance of normalcy but you struggle to find a new normal while in the in-between.

I know from experience that there is no way to predict how long the in-between lasts. All you can do is find a way to accept it for what it is; learning how to work with it instead of resisting it. Here are 3 ways you can embrace courage during the in-between season.

Trust the process

It will always take longer than you think for things to happen. And often things won’t go exactly as you had hoped or planned. These are the moments when you have to learn to trust the process.

Believe that the journey is unfolding exactly as it should. Instead of wishing you were already on the other side, embrace the moments as they happen or don’t happen.

Sometimes it’s when things don’t go as expected that the greatest treasures are revealed in your journey. Allow the in-between to teach you how to detach from a specific outcome. In the process, you just might find a few hidden gems.

Find ways to be grateful

Gratitude is a game-changer during the in-between moments of life. Gratitude shifts your focus from what is not going right and forces you to see where things are going well. It encourages you to find the good now rather than waiting for such and such to happen.

Gratitude keeps you grounded in the present moment. If you are intentional, it can also help you find unexpected beauty there too.

The easiest way to do this is by starting a gratitude journal. You can use a pen and paper or a note-taking app. The goal is to record at least five (5) things every day for which you are grateful.

On the hard days, this simple practice has helped me tremendously. Surprisingly, it is on those days that my list often exceeds five things. The intentional practice of being grateful can anchor you during the unsettledness of the in-between.

Be patient with yourself

If you’re anything like me, the lack of forward movement can be frustrating. In those moments you may feel compelled to try to make something happen. Resist that temptation and know it’s okay that you’re not doing anything.

It’s even okay if you don’t know what to do. Sometimes, the next step in the journey is slow in revealing itself. Be patient and give it time; you’ll know when the right moment comes for you to move. Until then remember that the in-between can serve as a reset.

Your sense of self and your ability to cope with things can be reset during this time. You can discover more in you that you never knew was in there. You may also discover some things about yourself that unknowingly tripped you up in the past. Whatever is revealed, be patient and kind to yourself. You will come out better and stronger for your time in the in-between.

Courage doesn’t always roar

One of my favorite quotes on courage says: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I’ll try again tomorrow.”

I have found that the in-between calls for more of the quiet voice of courage rather than the loud roar. It is the small, incremental steps that often make up the journey through the in-between. Embracing courage allows you to stay the course even and especially when it seems as if nothing is happening.

There is beauty in the in-between. There is joy and wonder to be found in being present to the now moments of your life.

Don’t despise your time there, instead listen for the lessons. I believe those lessons will serve to help you rise into your greatness.

From my heart to yours,

P.S: If you are struggling with a season of in-between and you would like support, let’s talk. Click here to schedule a complimentary call with me. It’s a no obligation call. Simply an opportunity for us to explore how you can make it through your in-between.