Thrive in 3: The Messy Middle #39
Joy is not something you chase. It is something you allow./
01
Tea Routine: The Messy Middle
Nobody talks about the messy middle.
Everyone celebrates the start.
That brave leap. That exciting first chapter.
The courage to begin.
And everyone loves the finish.
The business launch.
The 6-figure milestone.
The wedding day.
The glossy, edited, triumphant moment.
But nobody talks about the middle.
The part where it gets uncomfortable.
Confusing.
Slow.
Where the passion dims and self-doubt turns the volume up.
You second-guess everything.
You wonder why you even started.
You quietly consider quitting - again.
This is the hard bit.
And this is the bit that makes you.
Every meaningful thing I’ve ever done has tried to break me in the middle:
– Launching a course.
– Running a long race.
– Building a purpose-driven business.
Each time, I thought: Maybe I’m not cut out for this.
But here’s what I’ve learned:
You don’t become wise, strong, or capable despite the middle.
You become all those things because of it.
The struggle is not in the way.
It is the way.
And when the weight feels too much to carry, the most powerful thing you can do is pause.
Breathe.
Sip something warm.
Not to escape, but to recover.
To remember who you are.
And why you started.
The middle is where you meet your real self.
And you’re going to like who you become.
So go on. Put the kettle on.
Then keep going.
____________
What’s the hard, messy middle you’re in right now?
I’d love to hear.
02
The Vital Importance of a Pause
This article by Michael Horner in Medium shows us that most things improve when we learn not to keep pushing.
Read the article here: Medium Article
03
FaceTime, Voice, or Text?
This handy book review of The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky discusses the challenging middle phase of any creative endeavor or venture. Belsky emphasises that success is forged not just at the start or finish but in enduring and optimising through the volatile middle. One for the reading list!
Read here: Medium Article
Ways to connect with me 💬
DM me, jump in the subscriber chat, or connect via my website, LinkedIn or Instagram 😁 I offer tea supply, tea training, tea for wellbeing courses and mindset coaching. Find out more about my tea business, eteaket, here: https://www.eteaket.co.uk/
Thanks for joining me on our pause for tea to rebalance and thrive. 🍵 If you enjoyed this post, it would make my day if you’d comment, hit the heart button or share it. Your actions will help me reach more people. 💖 Thanks for your support! ✨ Erica x