What do I do in the middle?
From here to there…what happens in-between
I could show you a thousand videos about just starting and ten thousand about how good it is on the other side…but what about the middles part. The part of a project, of a career, of life where you find yourself in-between. You were told the hard part is just starting, and one day you’ll reap the benefits. But we don’t hear much about the days it takes to get “there”. There is an intersection in the middle of wanting something and finally having it…the doing stage. This blog post is not an advice column, I’m still figuring it out too. Today I’m sharing my experience as a current resident in the messy middle.
I usually have punchy subheadings to organise and structure my articles for a seam free user experience - but that’s not happening today. Like the messy middle, there is no set structure, no way it’s supposed to go. As I sit on my bed writing to you wearing my bonnet and cup of tea brewing on the side, I find myself in the middle. In the middle of my uni project, in the middle of deciding what my career will look like and I’m not even in the middle of my life yet. It’s crazy how the human mind can be so imaginative to a fault, that it can create scenarios to empower as well as depress you. The hypothetical what ifs can encourage you to try or remind you of the effects of failing. One thing I’m learning is that it is my choice to choose which voice I want to listen to. And in all honesty, I choose differently everyday.
“You might not be on schedule, but you’re right on time”
I wondered why there isn’t much content out there about this middle stage of life. The becoming era if I was to put it in TikTok terms. Probably because we’re all just in it and trying to figure it out. What would advice for this stage even look like? Everyone’s middle is different and personal. My middle yesterday was great, I wasn’t motivated but I pushed past to become disciplined. I have my final project coming up so I worked towards it in the ways I can. But at the same time, the career middle was at the back of my mind and it makes me feel like I’m still at the start rather than the middle.
“If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now. For wheat is wheat, even if people think it is a grass in the beginning.”
Anyone can start. It’s the truth. Some people might even be able to reach the end and skip the middle because of external help they may receive. But for all of those who have started, whatever it may be, the middle may be challenging but it is not impossible. The only thing I can tell myself and you is to continue. Do not eliminate yourself before giving it a real try. As cringe as it may sound, it’s the journey that builds the character. Maybe, the person you want to be or life you want have requires this shedding, this undoing, the breaking. There is a disconnect between your present and your future, and that may be because you refuse to let go of the things in the middle that are allergic to success. Procrastination might find you in the middle. But procrastination is allergic to success (however you may define success). If you don’t address it in your middle, how will you step into the person you built on your vision board.
The middle is where most give up, and with good reason. It’s hard. It’s uncomfortable. It’s even embarrassing. But when you’re half way there. Why turn back. You don’t know how close you are to your goals. I don’t know how close I am to mine. It’s great to look up to people who are at the end of the road, but why not connect with those in the middle too? We all possess the same grit and determination, why not go together.
I’ll leave you with that. This article is part of a series I started called 100 days:100 thoughts. If you’ve been following along on Instagram, you would know that this is already day 34! Crazy right. Well, this blog is one of the ways I am managing my middle. Younger me wanted to be a fashion writer, so I am giving myself that title with this website. Make sure to subscribe for daily blog posts.
