As the parent of a college student, I am discovering what it really means to live in the in-between.
When they’re away at school, they seem like independent adults. They need space to make their own decisions, but they still reach out for guidance when life gets complicated. They are building lives of their own while still relying on the foundation that home provides.
Then they come home for breaks.
Suddenly, the shoes are back by the door, the dishes are in the sink, and the house feels full again. The everyday routines return almost effortlessly. Between the ordinary moments are the unexpected conversations about life, relationships, purpose, and the future. Those conversations are a reminder that while they are becoming independent, they haven’t completely left the nest.
And then, almost as quickly as they returned, they leave again.
I’ve realized that this season isn’t about holding on or letting go. It’s about learning to live in the space between the two.
The more I reflected on this, the more I recognized how often life asks us to navigate these in-between seasons.
Professionally, these seasons appear in countless ways. You realize you’ve outgrown your current role, but the next opportunity hasn’t yet arrived. An entrepreneur works tirelessly to grow a business, balancing today’s realities with tomorrow’s vision while raising capital and building value. An organization evolves, outsourcing some functions while integrating new systems, trying to create harmony without losing momentum.
Wherever we counter these seasons, they are bound to be challenging. Relationships change. Families grow in new directions. Priorities shift. We find ourselves no longer who we were, but not yet fully who we’re becoming.
The in-between is rarely comfortable.
It often feels uncertain because the familiar is behind us andthe future remains just out of reach. We naturally want clarity, a roadmap, or reassurance that we’re moving in the right direction. Instead, we’re often asked to trust the process before we can see the outcome.
But perhaps that’s exactly what growth looks like.
Growth is rarely found in the moments when everything feels settled. It happens during the transition when we’re learning new skills, redefining our identity, strengthening our resilience, and discovering capabilities we didn’t know we possessed.
The in-between isn’t evidence that you’re stuck. More often, it’s evidence that you’re growing.
So, if you find yourself in one of these seasons, personally or professionally, give yourself grace. Celebrate the progress that isn’t yet visible. Be patient with the uncertainty. Trust that not every chapter is meant to feel complete while you’re living it.
Because one day, you’ll look back and realize the in-between wasn’t simply something to endure. It was where you grew into the person and the leader you were becoming.
