What Now? Series #2 | Winds of Change
“The Neutral Zone is not merely a time of waiting. It is a time of reorientation and redefinition.”
William Bridges
Change usually arrives loudly. A new role. A restructure. A sudden loss or separation.
But what most people struggle with is not the change itself. It is what happens silently. What unfolds more slowly.
As much as a person allows time to internalize a change and stay in the neutral zone, it becomes easier to move forward with new beginnings. When change is rushed, moving through it often becomes harder, not easier.
Here is a distinction I return to again and again in my work:
Change is external. An event. Often sudden.
Transition is internal. A process. Gradual. Psychological.
Transformation is the result. Who you become on the other side.
Many high-performing professionals try to skip the middle part. The neutral zone, as William Bridges calls it. The in-between space where the old no longer fits, but the new is not yet fully formed.
They rush from change straight into action. New title. New plan. New goals. Yes, the world is moving fast. And yes, sometimes we need to adapt quickly.
But speed does not always equal progress.
Why People Rush Change Instead of Staying in the Neutral Zone
When people face change, most instinctively try to move forward fast rather than pause in the neutral zone. Uncertainty is psychologically costly.
- The brain seeks certainty
Neurologically, uncertainty activates threat systems. The brain prefers a clear direction, even a flawed one, over ambiguity. Moving quickly into “what’s next” reduces anxiety, even if the solution is premature. - Role clarity discomfort reinforced by action-oriented cultures
Old roles, labels, and sources of competence no longer apply, while new ones have not yet formed. This in-between state threatens confidence, status, and a sense of direction. In cultures that equate movement with progress and decisiveness with strength, pausing to reflect is often misread as weakness or failure. Rushing forward becomes a socially reinforced way to restore a sense of stability, even when clarity has not yet emerged. - Emotional avoidance
The neutral zone surfaces grief, loss, doubt, and fear. Humans have a strong need for closure. Moving forward quickly becomes a coping mechanism to avoid uncomfortable emotions. The neutral zone keeps questions open. Action distracts. Reflection exposes.
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And yet, when people move forward too fast, they often feel unsettled, impatient, or strangely exhausted. This in-between space can feel uncomfortable. I understand that. Unclear. Windy. Like being pushed without knowing the direction. But it is also where clarity is built.
Benefits of Staying in the Neutral Zone When Preparing for New Beginnings
- Psychological decompression and resilience
The neutral zone allows the nervous system to settle after loss or disruption. Without this pause, unresolved stress is carried into the next chapter, showing up later as fatigue, reactivity, or regret. Staying here builds tolerance for ambiguity and strengthens emotional regulation. Clear beginnings require emotional space. You cannot operate well while still in survival mode. - Meaning-making and integration
This is where people make sense of what ended. What was learned. What was lost. What truly mattered. Research shows that reflection is how experience turns into wisdom. Pausing prevents repetition and helps avoid making the same mistakes again. - Seeing the possibilities
When people slow down, they see more options. The neutral zone loosens narrow thinking and opens creative, non-obvious paths. Most transformative life moves come from expanded possibilities, not quick decisions.
Reflection happens in the neutral zone. New meaning begins to take shape. This space creates room for creativity and for seeing what else might be possible.
If you are in the middle of change right now, ask yourself one simple question:
Am I reacting to the change and rushing toward a new beginning, or am I allowing myself to pause, reflect, and give time to the transition?
If you are in the middle of change right now:
You do not need to rush. Take your time, Notice what you are learning. Stay curious about the possibilities that are quietly emerging.
If this resonates, you are not behind.
You are in transition.
And that is where real change begins.
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