The Messy Middle of Career Growth

You know that awkward phase between where you were and where you want to be? Yeah, I’m in it.

No longer a beginner, but not quite where I want to be yet—it’s that weird in-between space where growth is happening, but it doesn’t always feel like it. Some days, I feel like I’m making real progress. Other days, I’m convinced I have no idea what I’m doing. And honestly? Both are probably true.

I used to think career growth was a straight line—work hard, learn the right things, and boom, you level up. But the reality? It’s more like a series of loops. One step forward, two steps sideways, a pivot here, a reset there. And the kicker? No one really talks about this part.

The messy middle isn’t glamorous. It’s not full of big promotions, perfect LinkedIn updates, or neatly packaged success stories. It’s full of trial and error, self-doubt, and figuring out what actually fits instead of just chasing what looks good on paper.

But I’m realizing that this part—the unpolished, uncertain, slightly chaotic part—is where the real growth happens. It’s where you build resilience, refine what you actually want, and prove to yourself that you can figure it out, even when it’s not all making sense yet.

So, if you’re also in the messy middle—learning, growing, questioning everything—just know you’re not alone. We’re all just figuring it out as we go. And maybe that’s the best part.