Crossing Thresholds: Jungian Reflections on Life’s Transitions and Staying True to Oneself
Crossing Thresholds:
"There comes a time when the life we’ve been living no longer fits. We sense it first as restlessness — a quiet pull toward something unknown. The familiar routines continue, but beneath them, something whispers: it’s time."
Transitions come to us in many forms — a career shift, the end of a relationship, a move, a calling we can no longer ignore. Some arrive gently, others take us by storm. In Jungian psychology, these turning points are not random disruptions but thresholds — invitations into deeper contact with the Self, where we are asked to shed old identities and step closer to our authenticity.
The Call of the Self
Carl Jung believed that the process of individuation — becoming more fully who we are — is one of life’s deepest tasks. Transitions often mark the moments when we can no longer live by borrowed expectations, roles, or stories.
We begin to sense the tension between the life we’ve built and the life that wants to emerge. The Self — the deeper, wiser aspect of us — calls us inward, asking us to listen. This inner call often comes disguised as dissatisfaction, longing, or even anxiety. While uncomfortable, it signals the start of transformation.
The Liminal Space
Every transition carries us into what Jung would call a liminal space — an in-between realm where the old has fallen away but the new is not yet formed.
It is here, in this uncertain terrain, that we encounter our unconscious more vividly. Dreams become more alive, synchronicities appear, and inner images surface as guides. While we may feel unmoored, this “not-knowing” holds the potential for creativity and rebirth.
Rather than rushing to fill the silence, we can pause and listen — to our inner world, our intuition, and the subtle threads pulling us toward what’s next.
The Shadow and the Authentic Self
Being true to oneself also means meeting the shadow — those parts of us we’ve hidden, denied, or rejected. In times of transition, these neglected aspects rise to the surface, often through conflict, discomfort, or unexpected impulses.
When we turn toward these fragments with compassion, we reclaim lost energy and wisdom. What once felt threatening often holds the keys to our wholeness. By integrating our light and shadow, we come into greater alignment with our authentic Self — the one who stands at the threshold, waiting to be fully lived.
Living the Questions
Transitions rarely offer immediate clarity. In fact, Jung invites us to hold the tension of the opposites — to stay present with both what is ending and what has yet to come.
Instead of seeking quick answers, we might gently sit with the following questions:
What within me is longing to emerge right now?
What am I being called to release, and what am I learning to welcome?
Where am I holding onto roles, identities, or stories that no longer reflect my truth?
These questions are not meant to be solved but lived. With time, they become openings through which meaning unfolds.
A Journaling Practice for Times of Transition
If you are navigating a threshold in your life, try this simple practice:
Create a quiet space. Take a few breaths to center yourself.
Write without censoring. Begin with the phrase:
"Something within me is awakening to…” or I am being called toward…”
Let your hand move freely, following whatever arises.Close with reflection. Read your words slowly and notice: What surprises you? What truths are trying to surface?
This practice can help you connect with the deeper currents shaping your journey.
Emergence and Renewal
With time, clarity begins to take form — not from forcing answers but from allowing space for inner wisdom to arise. Transitions strip away what no longer serves so that something more authentic can be born.
Being true to oneself doesn’t mean rejecting everything that came before; it means integrating what has shaped us while creating space for who we are becoming. In Jungian terms, this is the path toward wholeness — a lifelong process of deepening into our truest selves.
An Invitation
If you find yourself standing at a crossroads, know that you are not alone. Life’s transitions are invitations to slow down, listen inward, and reconnect with what matters most.
As a therapist, I hold space for these thresholds — the uncertainty, the grief, the possibilities. Together, we can explore what’s unfolding and support your journey toward greater authenticity and alignment.
If this resonates, I invite you to reach out for a consultation or explore upcoming workshops on deepening self-awareness and transformation.