The messy middle: it’s uncomfortable, uncertain, and often overlooked—but it’s also where the magic happens.

In this episode of She Is Going Somewhere, I’m diving into the realities of the messy middle—the in-between phase where you’re no longer at the starting line but not quite at the finish line either. Sound familiar? Maybe you’re there right now, and if so, this episode is your permission slip to embrace it fully.

Let’s chat about what the messy middle really is, why it’s not a sign of failure, and how you can reframe this part of your journey as an essential step toward building a business and life you love.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why the Messy Middle Is Normal:

It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind when you’re stuck in the in-between, but the truth is, the messy middle isn’t a sign of failure—it’s proof that you’re growing, learning, and figuring it out as you go.

Mapping Your Origin Story:

I’ll walk you through an exercise that completely shifted my mindset: mapping out the pivotal moments of my journey, starting from the first defining memory of my adult life (spoiler: it’s when I dropped out of college). This exercise will help you see how every high and low has led you to where you are today.

How the Messy Middle Showed Up in My Life:

From quitting retail after my mom passed away to transitioning from She Can Systemize into a personal brand, I’m sharing my own messy middle moments and the lessons I learned along the way.

Why Starting Before You’re Ready Matters:

If I’d waited for the “perfect” conditions, this podcast episode wouldn’t exist. I’ll share why perfection isn’t the goal—and why the messy middle is where clarity and confidence are built.

Key Takeaways

If you only take away a few things from this episode, let it be these:

The messy middle isn’t failure—it’s part of the process.

Every late night, misstep, and pivot is shaping you into the person you’re meant to be.

Mapping your journey can shift your perspective.

Looking back at your story will show you how every struggle and success fits into the bigger picture.

Start before you’re ready.

Waiting for perfection will keep you stuck. Take messy, imperfect action and trust the process.

Try This Exercise to Reframe Your Messy Middle

Here’s the origin story exercise I mentioned in the episode:

Think back to your first defining moment as an adult. What made you feel like you were stepping into your own?
Map out the key moments that followed—the pivots, challenges, and wins.
Look for patterns. What do these moments say about your journey and who you’re becoming?

I’d love to hear your story! DM me on Instagram @TarynRachelle or tag me in a post. Let’s celebrate the messy middle together.

Resources From This Episode

Want to know more about the girl behind the mic? Click here to learn about me.
Follow me on Instagram: @thetarynrachelle
Looking for support? Join the Girls Girls Membership here.

Final Thoughts

The messy middle isn’t just something to get through—it’s where transformation happens. It’s where you build resilience, gain clarity, and uncover the moments that define you.

Whether you’re in it now or looking back on how far you’ve come, remember this: you’re not failing, you’re growing. Keep going, because girl, we’re all going somewhere.

1 | The Messy Middle: What Nobody Tells You About Getting ‘Somewhere

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