If you’re a competent professional who’s suddenly found yourself in that uncomfortable zone where you’ve let go of what was but haven’t figured out what’s next, you’re not alone. In fact, you might be right on time for something better.
In our latest Outlaws episode, we dive into what psychologists call ‘liminal space’ – that weird, in-between zone that makes most professionals squirm. Think of it like professional purgatory, except with more anxiety and significantly less clarity about salvation.
The caterpillar goop problem
Here’s where things get interesting (and goopy). We explore Martha Beck’s brilliant analogy about caterpillars transforming into butterflies. During metamorphosis, caterpillars don’t just grow wings; they literally dissolve into ‘caterpillar goop.’
They’re no longer caterpillars, but they’re not yet butterflies. They’re just… goop.
That’s exactly what navigating uncertainty in career transitions feels like. Essentially, you’re professional goop, and it’s deeply unsettling.
Why perfectionist brains hate the unknown
The episode unpacks why certain professionals find uncertainty particularly torturous. We’ve been trained to see success or failure, right or wrong — not the messy grey areas where real transformation happens.
Kate shares the game-changer for her, when she realised that: “Just because you could do it and you might be good at it doesn’t mean you should.”
Competence, it turns out, isn’t enough to guide major life decisions. Revolutionary concept, right?
The question that changes everything
Perhaps our most profound moment came when Shayla’s psychologist asked her about a job opportunity Shayla was discussing with her: “Do you want to do that job?”
Shayla’s response? “No, I don’t want to do it.”
Sometimes the most obvious questions are the ones we forget to ask ourselves when we’re busy being ‘practical’ and ‘responsible.’
What you’ll learn
This episode covers why liminal space feels brutal for high achievers, how to recognise protective instincts versus fear-based resistance, and practical strategies for getting more comfortable with not knowing.
Navigating uncertainty isn’t about finding quick exit strategies – it’s about developing the capacity to sit with the unknown long enough for genuine clarity to emerge. Because sometimes the best thing you can do is stop flailing and start floating.
