The Itchy Sweater Season - Change Can Be Uncomfortable, But Discomfort Doesn't Last Forever

In this episode, I'm reflecting on the uncomfortable part of change where staying where you are no longer feels right, but stepping into what is next does not feel natural yet either. It is the strange middle ground of becoming, where everything can feel a little itchy, clunky, and out of alignment.

I share how I experienced this when I first began the Shoreline. Even though I knew podcasting was part of my path, recording felt uncomfortable and self-conscious for a long time. I had to choose the unfamiliar discomfort of something new over the familiar discomfort of staying where I was. Over time, what once felt awkward became one of the most joyful parts of my week.

Lately, I've found myself back in another itchy sweater season. After feeling lighter and energized, things suddenly became heavy again. Grief has felt more like a fog than an all-consuming sadness, and I've been navigating the frustration of having ideas and desires without always having the energy to bring them to life.

This episode explores how discomfort can actually bring clarity. When everything feels a little off, the things that truly belong to us become easier to recognize. Like finally changing out of an itchy sweater and into your favorite pajamas, alignment can feel especially obvious after a season of discomfort.

I also share my desire to return to journaling as a daily ritual and reconnect with a part of myself that feels deeply familiar. Through morning pages and an evening practice of reflecting on what went well, what is still taking up mental space, and what I want to call into my life, I'm creating small anchors as I continue moving through this next phase of becoming.

This is an invitation to notice what feels like an itchy sweater in your own life. What has become uncomfortable to keep carrying? And what brings that unmistakable feeling of relief when you move toward it?

This episode is for you if:

• You're on the verge of a new chapter and navigating the discomfort that comes from growth, evolution, and expansion
• You're curious about starting a podcast and want to know more about what happens behind the scenes
• You're navigating an uncomfortable seasons of life where nothing feels aligned and you aren't sure how to move forward
• You're ready to go after what you want and create your dream life
• You're feeling stuck and aren't sure how to move forward

Resources and Links:

• Explore The Shoreline Private Sessions to find aligned support as you navigate a significant life transition
• Sign up to receive notes from the Shoreline
• Use this FREE intention setting worksheet to help you find your north star
• Read this blog post to discover simple ways to bring joy and whimsy back into your life
• Listen to this visualization when you want to tap into daydream energy and invite more peace and calm into your life

Related Episodes:

• Rooting Into What's Next- Embracing A New Identity And New Life After Loss And Transition
• When Flow Falters - How To Navigate Old Patterns When They Reappear
• Listening For What Wants To Emerge - Letting Go Of Old Timelines And Honoring Where You're At Right Now
• When Life Pulls You Toward A New Shore - Beginning Again And Exploring The In-Between Space After An Unexpected Life Transition

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Kim Kogane is a writer and intuitive guide helping you navigate the tender in-between seasons of life. She lives in Seattle, Washington, with her dog Cauchy and three cats. Learn more about Kim