Like many of us, I recently found myself in a season of change—reevaluating priorities, redefining my work, and stepping into something new. To gain clarity, I took a professional assessment, hoping it would highlight my strengths and potential opportunities. Instead of placing me into a familiar category like “strategist” or “communicator,” it labeled me simply as “in Transition.” Seeing that word as my defining category caught me off guard. I knew I was navigating change, but having it reflected back at me in such a direct way made it feel even more real.
To make sense of it, I found myself thinking about a beloved children’s book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. The story follows a little caterpillar who eats and eats until, one day, it enters a cocoon and ultimately emerges as a butterfly. This simple tale perfectly mirrors what it feels like to go through a career or life transition: the consuming phase, the uncomfortable “messy” in-between, and finally, the transformation.
If you’re in transition, whether it’s a career change, a life shift, or a personal evolution, this process might feel overwhelming or unclear. But just like the caterpillar, each phase serves a purpose. Let’s explore the journey.
The Caterpillar Phase: Consuming and Exploring
Before transformation begins, there’s often a period of intense learning and exploration. This could be through new experiences, deep reflection, or even dissatisfaction with where you are. In The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the caterpillar eats everything in sight, just as we, in transition, seek out new knowledge, perspectives, and experiences to prepare for what’s next.
You might feel restless, eager for change, or uncertain about what’s ahead. This phase is about gathering insights—taking courses, networking, testing ideas, or simply listening to what excites you. It’s an important step, but it doesn’t last forever.
The Cocoon Phase: The Messy Middle
This is the most challenging part of any transition—the phase where the old version of you no longer fits, but the new version hasn’t fully emerged.
In the story, the caterpillar builds a cocoon and disappears for a while. Inside, change is happening, but from the outside, it looks like nothing is going on. This is exactly how transitions feel—uncertainty, self-doubt, and the discomfort of not knowing what’s next. It’s easy to feel stuck here.
However, this phase is critical. It’s where the real transformation happens. It requires patience, self-reflection, and often, trust in the process. If you’re in this phase, remind yourself that growth is happening even if you can’t see it yet.
The Butterfly Phase: Emerging and Transforming
Eventually, the caterpillar emerges, transformed into a butterfly. In our lives, this moment comes when clarity sets in, when we start to see the results of our growth, and when we step into our next chapter with confidence.
This doesn’t mean everything is perfect or that the journey is over—only that you have evolved into a new version of yourself. You have new skills, a renewed purpose, and a clearer vision of where you’re headed. But what are the practical strategies to navigate through transition?
Embrace the discomfort. Growth is uncomfortable, but it’s part of the process. Allow yourself to be in transition without rushing it.
Support. Find mentors, coaches, or communities that can help guide you through uncertainty.
Take small steps. You don’t need to have everything figured out. Experiment, try things, and adjust as you go.
Reflect on your progress. Keep a journal or record small wins. Seeing how far you’ve come helps keep perspective.
Trust that transitions lead to transformation. Even if you can’t see the outcome yet, trust that you’re moving toward something meaningful.
Transitions can be uncomfortable, but they are also necessary for growth. If you’re feeling uncertain or stuck, remember that you are in a process of becoming. Just like the caterpillar doesn’t rush its transformation, you don’t need to have all the answers today. Embrace where you are. Trust the cocoon. And when the time is right, you will emerge stronger, wiser, and ready for what’s next.
Oh, and as, “… a beautiful butterfly!”
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