The In-Between
The in-between is often a season of pause, change, confusion, uncertainty. I could probably go on to name other ways being in the in-between may make us feel. Oftentimes, this is how I feel about January. A time where we are in-between transitioning from old to new, in-between goals, and taking steps forward. Now that it has been a few weeks since New Years, when there is a lot of talk about resolutions, the ability to make goals and set forward on a path of meeting them. I don’t think resolutions are bad by any means, but I do think about why the new year? Why the reset? What about the new year encourages people to make change?
I think the word ‘new’ is what gets people excited. We love a new phone, a new car, a new outfit, a new restaurant, a new joke, a new place to walk or visit. I too am a sucker for something new. There is an excitement that we haven’t seen (said item) before or we get to explore somewhere different. In other areas, this could ignite fear or anxiety of the unknown, but not in these situations. These are situations in which we look forward to the unknown.
Having this more positive outlook, opens the door to change, growth and movement forward. However, before we get to this stage we usually pause in the in-between. We may see problem areas, have ideas for goals, notice what next steps to take, but we aren’t ready to go there yet. This in-between step can be useful. It allows us to transition from pessimistic to optimistic, from negative to positive. It can also encourage us to slow down, to breathe and recognize we may not need to rush towards growth. There is a moment of acceptance of where we are before pushing forward.
Mostly I want you to try and recognize where you are in the change process?
Are you stuck in the old, pessimistic, downtrodden space of before?
Are you in the in-between of seasons, ready to look forward, but not ready to start?
Are you in the new, optimistic, goal oriented space?
There is a time and space for all of these, so don’t get down on yourself if you aren’t in the ‘new and shiny’ phase, it’s just right around the corner.
