Living Between Chapters: Navigating the Messy Middle of Retirement

There’s a moment in every retirement journey that few people talk about.

You’ve stepped away from the career, the schedule, and the title that once defined you. You’ve gained time and freedom—but you may also find yourself wondering: Now what?

You’re no longer in the life you used to know… but you haven’t yet stepped fully into the next one.
This in-between phase is what I often call “the messy middle.”

It’s a space where the structure of work is gone, but your new routine hasn’t taken shape. You’re not fully retired in the way you imagined, and you haven’t fully reinvented yourself either. It’s not that you’re unhappy—but something feels unsettled, unfinished.

This can be a surprisingly emotional season. Many of my coaching clients describe it as disorienting. They feel untethered, unsure of their direction. One client recently shared, “I thought once I retired, I’d feel lighter. But I just feel… off balance.”

What I’ve learned through years of retirement coaching is this:
The messy middle isn’t a sign you’ve done something wrong. It’s a natural and necessary part of the transition.

We often assume retirement should be a clean break followed by a clear path forward. But real life doesn’t work that way. Real transitions are rarely linear. They require us to pause, reflect, and recalibrate. They invite us to release what no longer fits—and begin reconnecting with what’s been waiting in the wings.

In this phase, you don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need a master plan or a bold new purpose ready to launch. What you do need is space. Space to explore what matters now. Space to feel the shift, not just plan around it. Space to breathe.

This is where reinvention quietly begins. Not through big declarations, but through small acts of curiosity, courage, and self-discovery.

One of my clients used this time to rediscover forgotten joys: writing, playing music, and long walks in nature. Another began volunteering in a way that aligned with her deeper values—not to stay “busy,” but to feel more connected and useful. For both, it started with allowing themselves to live in the questions.

If you find yourself in this messy middle—between what was and what’s next—I want you to know:

You’re not lost. You’re in process.
You don’t need a five-year plan. You need a flashlight, and a little courage.

A Reflection for You:

Where in your life are you currently “between chapters”?
What have you let go of?
What are you longing for—even if you can’t quite name it yet?

This in-between season is rich with possibility.
You don’t have to rush it. You just have to honour it.

Retirement offers more than just the gift of free time—it’s a chance to reinvent yourself and find new ways to express your purpose. Take the time to reflect on what matters most to you, and give yourself the space to rediscover your passions. Remember, your career doesn’t define you. You are more than your job title, and you have a lifetime of experiences to carry forward.

Let’s  Navigate Retirement Together

Retirement is a time of both challenges and opportunities. If you're feeling uncertain, I'm here to help. Together, we can create strategies tailored to your needs, making your retirement fulfilling and meaningful.

 Let's work towards a vibrant and purposeful retirement—contact me to get started.