S1E17: Navigating the Messy Middle

We spend so much of our lives in the messy middle, so why is it so hard to navigate? In Episode 17, Shelley and Jill talk about the grit and messy middle they have experienced during their personal and professional lives, whether it’s surviving a hurricane in a tent or sticking with the creative process when self-doubt kicks in. You’ll hear tips about how to turn inward to use the tools you’ve acquired throughout your own personal development journey and you’ll be reminded to turn outward as well to lean out your support network to help get you through the messy middle.

This podcast is for you if you believe that:

• Embracing a growth mindset and being brave enough to suck at something new is a must.

• Fear should be acknowledged but shouldn’t stop you from doing epic shit!

• It should be a “No” unless it’s a “Hell Yes!”

• There’s more than enough for everyone.

• Your energy will tell you where to go next. Listen and trust the process.

• People are so much more than titles and the boxes others put them in.

The top four tips from this episode are:

• The messy middle shows us our resilience. We can learn to trust and believe in ourselves.

• Use the tools in your toolkit, especially during your messy moments. Remember to breathe, self-soothe, and use your coping techniques.

• Zoom out for the reframe. Lean in other people for perspective because they are zoomed out.
• Practice self-compassion. It’s ok to acknowledge how hard it is to be in the messy middle.

Follow us on LinkedIn:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelley-sanchez/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-johns-international/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.GlitterGritAndGrowth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@GlitterGritAndGrowth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Special thanks to the amazing musician featured on our podcast, Brandi Harvey. Please check her out at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bharveymusic.com/⁠⁠

In this episode, you'll learn:

1:38 - Updates from Burning Man

4:41 - The “Messy Middle” concept

6:22 - Types of messy middle

9:29 - The messy middle of adventures and health procedures

17:42 - The PTSD and amnesia we experience with the messy middle

19:58 - Turning 50(!)

21:35 - The messy middle of the creative process

23:05 - The lessons from the messy middle

28:39 - Einstein quote: “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”

29:22 - Key takeaways of the messy middle

Recap:

• Acknowledge that the messy middle is going to happen. Sometimes it’s a fleeting moment, sometimes it’s a decade.

• You will get through it. It’s important to use your skills and lean on your network. Trust yourself through the process.

• Everyone is dealing with the messy middle. Have grace for yourself and be there for others when they are in their messy middle.

• Most of life is spent in the messy middle. Learn to navigate it and enjoy it!

Want More Episodes Like This?

Episode 14:

⁠⁠https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/Pvfq7NNh7Lb⁠

Episode 15:

⁠https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/VaSjzq95AMb

Episode 16:

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/1NCWgmTvUMb