The Grief of the In-Between

How to Hold Space for Life’s Liminal Seasons

Have you ever found yourself in that foggy middle ground between what was and what’s next? Maybe a relationship ended, a dream shifted, or a version of yourself no longer fits, and now you’re standing in the space between. It’s uncomfortable, quiet, and uncertain. And yet, it’s deeply human. This period is what many call a liminal space—a threshold between the past you’ve known and the future that hasn’t yet revealed itself.

What often goes unnamed is that this in-between space carries its own form of grief. You’re mourning the familiarity of what was, even if it wasn’t perfect, while still waiting for a sense of direction or clarity to emerge. It can feel like being suspended between worlds—too far from the old to go back, but not close enough to the new to move forward. And because this place lacks clear answers or resolution, it can trigger feelings of failure or stagnation. But the truth is, this isn’t failure—it’s transition.

The Grief Hidden in Uncertainty

Grief theory helps us make sense of this strange, suspended space. In the searching or meaning-making phase of grief, our minds and hearts work overtime to understand what a loss means for us. When uncertainty lingers, that phase naturally stretches out. You might find yourself replaying memories, reimagining what could’ve been, or struggling to make sense of who you are without what you’ve lost.

None of this means you’re stuck—it means your system is reorganizing itself around a new reality. You’re writing the next chapter, even if it’s still in rough draft form.

Allowing the In-Between

What if the in-between wasn’t something to escape, but something to honor? Growth often hides here, beneath the surface, like roots deepening before new growth can bloom. The stillness and uncertainty might actually be preparing you for what’s next.

When we stop trying to “fix” the in-between, we make space to listen—to notice what we’re learning, what we’re longing for, and what no longer fits. Sometimes clarity only comes after we’ve sat long enough with the discomfort to see what remains.

How to Cope While You’re in the Liminal Space

You can’t rush clarity, but you can nurture yourself while waiting for it. Here are a few ways to move through this tender season with more compassion and steadiness:

1. Ground in the present, even when it feels uncertain.
When your mind starts racing toward the future, come back to what’s real right now—your breath, your body, your surroundings. Grounding techniques like naming five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste can help you re-anchor in the moment.

2. Journal the story you’re leaving behind.
Write about the version of yourself, dream, or relationship you’re releasing. What did it give you? What will you miss? What are you ready to carry forward? Grieving the old story helps create space for the new one.

3. Get clear on your values.
When everything feels up in the air, use this time to reevaluate what truly matters to you. What do you want your life to stand for? What qualities or experiences do you want more of—and which ones no longer serve you? Your values can become your compass, gently guiding you toward what comes next, even before you have a concrete plan.

4. Name the uncertainty out loud.
Say (or write): “I don’t know what’s next, and that’s okay.” Speaking it aloud helps transform anxiety into acceptance. Naming the unknown doesn’t solve it—but it removes shame from not having it all figured out.

5. Create small anchors of routine.
When life feels ambiguous, simple rituals—like your morning coffee, a daily walk, or evening journaling—can restore a sense of rhythm. You don’t have to know the next big step to find stability in small daily acts.

6. Seek connection and reflection.
Talk about this liminal space with a trusted friend, therapist, or grief group. Being witnessed helps remind you that this phase isn’t permanent, and you don’t have to navigate it alone.

A Gentle Reframe

If you’re in that in-between right now, know this: you’re not broken, behind, or failing. You’re in a sacred pause—a transitional space where transformation quietly takes shape. Grief doesn’t just live in endings; it also lives in the spaces where beginnings haven’t yet formed.

So take a deep breath, offer yourself compassion, and remind yourself:

This uncertainty isn’t a failure—it’s part of my becoming.

Even when you can’t yet see the next version of your life taking shape, it doesn’t mean it isn’t growing. You’re simply in the middle of the story—and that’s where the real becoming begins.