Let’s be real—transitions are uncomfortable. They’re often disorienting, full of waiting and uncertainty. You’re not where you were, but you’re not yet where you’re going. And no matter how much planning you do, there’s always some part of the process you just have to live through. That’s where I’m at right now.

I’m not gonna lie… this past week since my surgery has been difficult. As much as I thought I was prepared, I couldn’t fully know what I would experience until I actually went through it.

First of all, the surgery went as expected. I’ve lost all hearing in my left ear and have been managing the pain as best I can. I’m limited in what I can do through at least the end of April. The implant won’t be activated for another few weeks.

So right now, I’m in a waiting space. A transitional space. And that, of course, got me thinking about the transitions we all go through in life—the uncomfortable, in-between spaces where we’re not quite who we were, and not yet who we’re becoming. That’s a space where I think a lot of us get stuck.

Regardless of the type of loss—whether it’s physical, emotional, relational, or even professional—we find ourselves facing the question: who am I now?

It’s hard to answer that when you’re still in motion.

The reality is, we’re not always going to have a clear sense of identity in these moments. That doesn’t mean we’re broken or lost. It just means we’re evolving. And transitional identity is real.

You’re not who you were before the loss, and you’re not yet the version of yourself you’re growing into. That space in between can feel unsteady, like standing on shifting ground. But it’s also where a lot of important work happens. It’s where healing begins. It’s where we start to rebuild.

And here’s something I’ve learned over the years: transitional identity isn’t a placeholder. It’s not some lesser version of ourselves that we just have to get through. It’s part of who we are. It deserves recognition, and it deserves compassion.

So how do we honor this space? How do we live fully in the middle, when it would be so much easier to fast-forward to the “after”?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Name it. There is power in simply naming where you are. Saying, “I’m in transition right now,” or “I’m figuring things out,” takes the pressure off of having to be fixed, finished, or fully healed. You get to be in process.

2. Be honest about the discomfort. It’s okay to not be okay. Transitional spaces are full of uncertainty. Acknowledge the grief, the fear, the frustration. You don’t have to pretend this is easy.

3. Look for the small wins. Progress is rarely dramatic in these moments. It might look like showing up when you didn’t want to. Or reaching out when you felt like withdrawing. Or simply giving yourself grace. These small steps are signs of growth.

4. Let go of timelines. Transitions rarely stick to a schedule. You don’t have to be “better” by a certain date. Healing doesn’t happen on a calendar. Let it unfold.

5. Stay open to what this version of you might offer. This isn’t the final version of you—but that doesn’t mean this version isn’t valuable. What are you learning? How are you showing up differently? What new qualities are emerging in you?

This transitional identity might not be permanent, but it is part of your story. And that matters.

I’ve had to remind myself of that over and over again this week. I can’t hear right now. I don’t know what the implant will sound like when it’s turned on. I’m still dealing with pain and limitations. But I’m still me.

Maybe a quieter me. A slower me. A me in process. But still me.

And I know that you have your own transitions too. Maybe you’re grieving someone you lost. Maybe you’re trying to figure out who you are after a job change, a breakup, or a health diagnosis. Maybe you’re in a season of waiting or uncertainty. Whatever your story looks like, I want to say this clearly:

You don’t have to have it all figured out.

You are allowed to exist in the messy middle.

You are allowed to be in between.

You are allowed to say, “I’m not who I was… and I’m not yet who I want to be… but I’m still here.”

You can still honor who you were, even while becoming someone new.

What transition are you navigating right now? And how are you learning to embrace the version of you that’s still forming?