Sometimes, “Work In Progress” Looks Like “Broken”.

You know that feeling when you’re working on yourself, building something new, or trying to change your life—and everything feels like a total mess?

Yeah, that.

There’s a simple truth that doesn’t get said enough:
Sometimes, work in progress looks a lot like broken.

We don’t talk about it much, but the in-between parts of growth? They’re often uncomfortable, confusing, and messy. Whether you’re going through a breakup, starting a business, healing from something tough, or just trying to figure yourself out—it can feel like you’re falling apart before you’re building something better.

But here’s the good news: that mess you’re in? It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re changing. And that’s progress.

Why Progress Doesn’t Always Look Like Progress

Let’s be honest—growth isn’t pretty. Instagram makes it look polished. But in real life? It’s awkward, overwhelming, and full of moments where you wonder, What am I even doing?

Here’s why that’s totally normal:

1. You Have to Break Down to Build Up

Think about it. If you’re renovating a house, you’ve got to tear down walls before you can paint them. It’s the same with people. Before you build the life you want, you often have to let go of old patterns, beliefs, or versions of yourself that no longer fit.

2. You Don’t See the Picture Until It’s Finished

When you’re in the middle of something big, it’s hard to see how the pieces will come together. And that’s okay. You don’t need all the answers right now. You just need to keep going.

3. Real Change Is Messy

We like things to be neat and predictable. But real change? It’s emotional. It’s up and down. Sometimes, it’s two steps forward, one step back. And that’s still progress.

The “Messy Middle” Is Where the Magic Happens

Everyone loves a good before-and-after. But no one talks about the in-between—the part where you’re not where you used to be, but not quite where you want to be yet.

That’s the messy middle. And it’s where the real transformation happens.

Here’s how to survive it:

✦ Break it down

Big goals can feel overwhelming. Try focusing on the next small step instead of the big picture. See  The Power Of Small Beginnings.

✦ Keep track of how far you’ve come

Even if it feels like nothing’s changing, it is. Writing it down, taking photos, or just reflecting can help you see progress when it doesn’t feel obvious.

✦ Remember that struggle is part of the process

Seriously—every single person who’s done something great has had moments where they thought they were failing.

When “Broken” Is Actually Progress in Disguise

Let’s take a look at a few real-life examples:

Creators and Artists

A rough draft, an ugly first sketch, a song that doesn’t quite work yet—these all look like failures, but they’re actually the starting point for something amazing.

Startups and Entrepreneurs

Most successful businesses started out as messy, uncertain, and a little chaotic. You just don’t see that part because by the time they make it, it’s cleaned up for the press.

Personal Healing

Growth after trauma or loss often feels like you’re falling apart before you feel better. Crying, doubting, overthinking—yep, that’s all part of healing too.

Change Your Perspective: Broken Isn’t Bad

Here’s a little mindset shift that helps when things feel heavy:

• Instead of thinking: “Why is this so hard?”
  Try: “What am I learning from this?”
• Instead of thinking: “This looks like a disaster.”
  Try: “This is just the messy part of the process.”
• Instead of thinking: “People will think I’m failing.”
  Try: “I’m showing what real growth actually looks like.”

Why This Message Matters Now More Than Ever

More and more people are searching for realness online. Not just the highlight reels, but the honest truth: that progress doesn’t always look pretty. In fact, the search for things like:

• “why does healing feel worse before it gets better?”
• “work in progress mindset”
• “is it normal to feel lost during growth?”

It shows that people are craving something deeper. They want to know they’re not alone in the mess.

So if you’re feeling like your life is all over the place right now—guess what? You’re in good company.

A Few Reminders for the Hard Days

When you feel like you’re breaking instead of building, come back to these:

• “Progress is not linear.”
• “You don’t have to have it all figured out to keep moving.”
• “Falling apart is often how things come together.”
• “It’s okay if the only thing you did today was not give up.”

Final Thoughts: Keep Going, Even If It Looks Messy

Look—growth is hard. It’s messy. It rarely looks the way we thought it would.

But that doesn’t mean you’re not doing it.

Sometimes it feels like you’re falling behind when you’re really moving forward. Sometimes it looks like everything’s falling apart when it’s actually falling into place.

So keep going. Even when it feels broken.
Especially when it feels broken.

Because that’s when real change is happening.