Life’s transitions can feel like a chaotic suspension between what was and what is yet to be. Whether you are navigating a career shift, untangling yourself from the weight of a harmful relationship, or facing a health journey that has changed your internal landscape, this “in-between” space is often the most uncomfortable part of our story.
We call it the Messy Middle.
It is the space where the old version of you has faded, but the new version hasn’t quite taken root. In our culture, we are often told to “get over it” or “push through,” but as an Alchemist of Change, I have learned that the middle isn’t a mistake to be fixed. It is a sacred site of reclamation.
The Invisible Labour of Healing
For over three decades working within the healthcare system, and through my own deeply personal chapters, I have seen how we carry these transitions in our bodies.
I know the silence that comes with navigating a relationship defined by control and the loss of self. I know the profound “before and after” of a 2016 breast cancer diagnosis. These experiences taught me that the Messy Middle often feels like:
- A shallow breath that won’t quite reach your belly.
- A “low-noise” hum of anxiety in your nervous system.
- The exhausting effort of honouring everyone else’s needs while yours sit in the background.
Finding Steady Ground
When you are in this chaotic suspension, the goal isn’t to find an instant exit. The goal is to find steady ground right where you are. My approach as a Trauma-Informed Empowerment Coach is to help you move at your own pace.
Healing is not a checklist; it is an unfolding. It requires us to acknowledge the labour we’ve been doing just to stay afloat and to begin gently reclaiming our own rhythm.
A Somatic Moment for Today
If you are feeling the weight of the “middle” right now, I invite you to try this simple practice to ground your nervous system:
- Place one hand on your heart and one on your belly.
- Notice the ground beneath your feet and the support of the chair behind you.
- Simply acknowledge: “I am in the middle, and I am safe to be here.”
Ready to Exhale?
You don’t have to figure out the “what’s next” today. Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is find a supportive, human-centred space to catch your breath and begin the process of RECLAIM.
If you’re ready to untangle the patterns of the past and step into your sovereign presence, I invite you to explore my current programs and community gatherings. Together, we move through the “messy” to find the clarity that waits on the other side.
With love,
Erika
Empowerment Coach | Alchemist of Change
