Embracing The In-Between: My Summerween Philosophy
As a mom, wife, and entrepreneur navigating a multifaceted life, I’ve come to deeply appreciate the “in-between” seasons – mornings where I am still half asleep, make coffee, and experience deep reflection before the chaos of the day begins, brainstorming sessions in between major projects where I revisit my goals and make decisions as to what lofty idea to pursue next, summers when my children home from school and our first conversation each day starts, “Well, what should we do today?”. My professional path is ever-evolving, my children are growing up, and my personal landscape often feels like a constant, exciting state of flux. It’s in these liminal spaces that I’ve found the most profound growth, much like the curious magic of “Summerween.”
For those unfamiliar, Summerween is that delightful, unofficial Halloween-like celebration that pops up in late June and extends until August. It’s still bright and warm, yet there’s a whisper of crispness in the air, a hint of falling leaves to come. People decorate with carved pumpkins and cobwebs, but often alongside poolside loungers and brightly colored flowers. It’s a playful, slightly mischievous blend of lighthearted summer fun and the spooky anticipation of the Halloween holiday I love so much.
To me, Summerween is the perfect metaphor for the liminal events we encounter in our personal and professional lives. Think about it: a career transition isn’t an overnight switch. It’s often a period of intense searching, learning, and adapting. You’re no longer fully in your old role, but not quite settled in the new one. Or consider the shift as children grow – a bittersweet transition where you’re still a hands-on parent, but also navigating a quieter home and a burgeoning sense of independence. Even the geographical shifts I constantly make throughout the year, moving between different states and environments, are a constant exercise in embracing the “in-between.”
These are the Summerween moments of our lives: existing between what was and what will be. And for a long time, I used to resist them. I craved certainty, a clear path, a defined outcome. But life, especially as an entrepreneur and a mom of teenage and adult children, rarely offers such straightforward narratives. It’s messy, unpredictable, and often wonderfully ambiguous.
What I’ve learned is that embracing this ambiguity is where the real magic happens. When you’re in a liminal period, you’re forced to be flexible, to innovate, to trust your intuition. There are no established rules, so you get to create your own. It’s a time for reflection, for reassessment, and for daring to dream beyond what you thought was possible.
For example, when my elder child first went off to college, I found myself with more time, but also a new kind of emotional space. Instead of filling it immediately, I allowed myself to simply be in that in-between. That period of quiet reflection led to some of my most innovative business ideas, born from a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh perspective on my own strengths. Similarly, the constant shifting between different homes has taught me to be adaptable, to find comfort in various environments, and to appreciate the unique rhythm each place offers.
So, the next time you find yourself in a “Summerween” moment – whether it’s a career pivot, a major life change, or even just that delightful stretch of late summer that hints at autumn – resist the urge to rush to the “next” thing. Instead, lean into the ambiguity. Explore the playful mix of light and shadow, the known and the unknown. Because it’s in these “in-between” seasons that we truly discover our resilience, our creativity, and our incredible capacity for growth. And isn’t that a celebration worth embracing?
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