Recently I’ve been chatting to a few clients about situations they’re in where they feel stuck in the “in-between”. 🥺
Limbo presents its own kind of challenges; it’s not about hitting rock bottom, it’s not chaotic, it’s not a blow-up moment where you’re forced into making a change.
Limbo is the awkward, frustrated space that sucks the life out of you because you know something has to change, and you know what you want (or what you don’t want), but for some reason you can’t move forward just yet. 🥴
You’re just stuck in the in-between, not where you were and not where you want to be. Just… stuck.
I’ve always found the limbo space really difficult; because once you can make a proper decision about things you can move forward but you’re stuck until whatever is blocking you gets the fuck out of your way.
OUR BRAINS HATE UNCERTAINTY
Humans are wired to crave certainty and safety, and limbo is the opposite of this.
So it’s normal for our brain to go into overdrive, constantly running scripts like “what if I make the wrong decision? What if things get worse? What if I regret it?”
These thoughts can lead to analysis paralysis and keep you frozen. 🥶
Limbo creates mental exhaustion, and decisions take more energy.
Even not being able to make a decision takes energy!
So because your brain keeps trying to close the open problem loop you eventually feel drained, cranky, distracted and emotionally flat.
It’s pretty common to end up feeling burnt out or overwhelmed because your nervous system has been running in low-grade fight-flight-freeze mode for weeks or months.
LIMBO CAN MAKE YOU FEEL POWERLESS
Limbo removes your sense of control.
Break ups hurt, leaving a job hurts and making big decisions is scary – but at least there’s action, not inaction. We feel better when we’re doing something.
In limbo, you’re just in pause mode standing there waiting for the next instruction; and we aren’t built to stay on pause for too long.
LIMBO CAN BE POWERFUL
It’s not always a bad place; sometimes the in-between is just the space where you’re getting clarity on the next move. The cocoon before the butterfly moment. 🦋
The uncomfortable pause before the mahoosive life shift.
When you’re stuck between two versions of your life – your past and future – something important is happening; your old identity is dying, and your new one hasn’t fully formed yet.
I see this a lot with my coaching and energy work clients when they become a better version of themselves, start setting boundaries and stop people-pleasing; old friends and situations fall away, but the in-between limbo bit is the space where they feel alone as they haven’t quite met their new tribe yet.
This messy middle bit is all about growth, which ultimately is a good thing even if it feels shitty at the time.
HOW TO HANDLE LIMBO
🦋 Accept the discomfort – trying to rush can make it worse
🦋 Focus on what’s within your control – small actions restore momentum
🦋 Regulate your nervous system – you think clearer when your body is calm
🦋 Get honest with yourself – if fear is the real block, notice that
🦋 Ask curious questions – “if I truly trusted myself, what would I do?”
Limbo doesn’t last forever, so give yourself grace as you move through it.
Eventually the path becomes obvious.
Just know that the awkward middle bit is where the real transformation starts.
If you’re feeling stuck in limbo in your life, relationships or career and you’re ready to get clear on your next move, DM me and let’s chat. 💬
You don’t have to sit in the messy middle alone.
Catcha on the flip side,
