The Thinning of the Veils: Navigating Transitions with Clarity and Ease

Navigating Transitions with Clarity and Ease

October subtly shimmers with that unmistakable indication of change. The air holds a certain suspense. Shadows lengthen. Light filters through trees at a gentler angle, and something in us instinctively knows: we are crossing a threshold.

Across time and cultures, this is known as the thinning of the veils — when the visible and invisible worlds feel a little closer. Mystics and poets have long written about this moment when intuition heightens, memories resurface, and clarity comes through quiet reflection rather than constant striving.

For many mid-career professional women, the metaphorical veil can appear in its own modern way — not between the living and the departed, but between who we’ve been in our careers and who we are becoming next. The season invites us to pause between identities: the achiever and the nurturer, the strategist, and the dreamer, the one who once climbed the ladder and the one now choosing which ladders are even worth climbing.

The Professional Veil

Think of all the layers we accumulate over years in high-performance careers — the titles, certifications, deadlines, and expectations. These layers once served a purpose; they kept us feeling accomplished, visible, validated. But over time, they can also obscure our truest self — the part that simply wants to do good work with integrity, creativity, and heart.

The “thinning of the veil” invites us to see through those layers. It’s a time to look with compassion at what we’ve built, and to ask: What do I wish to carry forward, and what can I lovingly lay down?

Perhaps it’s the relentless pace. Perhaps it’s a version of success that no longer resonates. Perhaps it’s the unspoken rule that rest equals weakness.

When we allow these veils to thin, clarity begins to form — not in the noise of a to-do list, but in the quiet awareness that rises between breaths.

A 5-Minute Reflection: Seeing Through

Take a few deep breaths. Picture a soft, silvery veil before you. On one side stands your current professional world — structured, reliable, maybe even predictable. On the other side glimmers what could be — freer, lighter, more aligned.

With each breath, imagine the veil becoming more transparent. You begin to see both realities at once. There’s no rush to choose. You’re simply present to the possibilities — noticing what draws your heart forward, what feels congruent, what brings peace.

That gentle knowing? That’s your intuition. That’s clarity beyond logic — the kind that doesn’t shout, but whispers truth.

“Thinning the veil” at work doesn’t require a crystal ball — just intention and honesty. Here’s how it may look in real life:

Simplify your commitments. If a board seat, side project, or committee drains more energy than it gives, it may be time to thank it for its service and move on.

Speak truth gently but directly. Allow transparency to become your superpower. Honest conversations build bridges, not barriers.

Reclaim intuition as a leadership tool. Data is valuable, but so is discernment. The moment you sense misalignment — that quiet internal tug — treat it as valid information.

Let endings be sacred. Not every departure requires drama. Sometimes we simply outgrow old versions of success. Let that be okay.

Harvesting What Still Feeds You

Take time to harvest what’s still nourishing. What projects brought meaning? What collaborations felt easeful? What moments reminded you that you’re exactly where you’re meant to be — even amid uncertainty?

By acknowledging what’s working, you create satisfaction. By honoring what’s ending, you create space. And by standing in that delicate, luminous in-between, you begin to see the path ahead with clearer vision.

For Your Consideration:

This month, let October’s mystery guide you back to yourself. The veil thins where awareness deepens. You don’t have to force transformation; you only need to stay awake to it. Trust that the next version of your professional journey is already forming — quietly, beautifully, and in perfect timing.

Okay, your turn:

Where are you currently standing between worlds — between what was and what’s next? What parts of your professional identity are asking to be honored before you move forward? How might you bring more presence, not pressure, to this passage of time?

I invite you to share your observations, feelings, and experiences by leaving a Reply in the Comments section, below. Soul-to-soul!

© 2025 Lori A. Noonan. All Rights Reserved.