The Hardest Part of a Transition is the Middle

I think the hardest part of a transition is the middle.

The middle of a transition is a period of uncertainty. It’s not clear what will be, where you will land, how things will turn out.

I call that time the Sea of the In Between because it’s as if you’ve pushed off from the shore and there’s no other shore in sight…all around you is water…and the other side? You don’t know. You can’t know.

It feels like being in a boat with no oars. And knowing that even if I had oars, I wouldn't know into which direction I needed to paddle.

And yet you want to survive. You want to make it to the other side.

Making sense of this time—existing in this time—is exhausting, stressful, and scary.

I know this well. I've been there many times.

🛶 When my middle son was in the middle of his challenging 10 year medical journey...

🛶 When my mother was in the hospital for weeks, suffering from an unidentifiable infection, hospital delirium and starving to death, with no idea if she would make it out alive...

🛶 When I was in the midst of coming out of the closet (after denying I needed to for over two decades), ending my 30 year marriage and unsure what lay ahead for me in life...

🛶 When I was in the midst of the pandemic, isolated from family and friends, my studio dark, and inside a very emotionally toxic relationship...

🛶 and more...

That's life after all.

I know you can relate.

Life is one long chain of transitions!

But here’s the thing…

I’ve found a powerful way to stay afloat in—and to make sense of—that in-between time:

ART JOURNALING in COMPASSIONATE, CREATIVE COMMUNITY.

An art journal practice is not about beautiful art. It’s about THE PROCESS.

It's about using the pages as a container for your feelings, thoughts, and expression.

It’s not about being able to paint a painting. It’s about using art supplies as the language your heart speaks.

And compassionate, creative community? Being SEEN, HELD and KNOWN by others is foundational to thriving. A community of fellow travelers, fellow paddlers...it feeds us and nourishes us to be held and to hold others.

The connection that happens in that kind of safe and sacred circle is deep and meaningful.

I’ve experienced many, many transitions. And I have hundreds of art journal pages to show for it.

I cherish them. Revisiting my journey through my art journals is not just a walk down memory lane. It's a holy practice. It's a way of honoring my self and my story.

Through this powerful creative practice and community I have saved myself. Time and time again. And I've brought myself from that terrifying place out in the middle of the Sea of the In Between to where I am today...not just surviving, but thriving.

How would it feel to save yourself with this transformative practice?

If this speaks to you, check out my deep dive program: The Way of Transition,

an 8-week online creativity and transformation program
using art journaling and expressive arts
somatic practices and supportive, intimate community
to explore and move through life change
weekly art journaling prompts, videos and juicy content
live video calls (on Zoom) and co-arting sessions
private online group for sharing
and…mentoring from seasoned, heart-centered facilitator

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR? The Way of Transition is open to anyone who would like to explore their experience of any type of life transition (chosen or not, positive or not, recent or not) through the expressive arts and community.

You don't need to know how to art journal. You don't need to have any artistic experience or training. This is not a typical art class and we welcome any who feel drawn to the work.

Curious? Send me an email, comment below, or better yet…book a Discovery Call! I'd love to hear about your transition, your Sea of the In Between.

And if you know anyone this would speak to, please share with them!

Thank you!