A few years ago, my son and I took a trip to Maine and it’s hard not to learn more about lobsters in that part of the country… they’re everywhere! Lately, I've been thinking about lobsters again.

There's change on the horizon for me and I can feel myself entering a new season. And strangely, I feel more ready for it than I might have expected. Do I know exactly what comes next? No, I don't. But I trust myself more than I used to.

And I’m also realizing that being ready for change doesn't mean feeling completely confident or protected as you move through it. Sometimes being ready means being willing to move forward even when things feel a little less certain, and not necessarily all buttoned up.

Maybe there's something important about that space between who we've been and who we're becoming. Which brings me back to the lobster.

– El

Did you know, a lobster's shell doesn't grow with it? As the lobster gets bigger, the hard exterior that once protected it eventually becomes too small. Pressure builds until the lobster has no choice but to shed its old shell.

But, the new shell isn't immediately hard. After molting, the lobster is soft and vulnerable. Without its familiar armor, it retreats and gives its new shell time to strengthen.

There is a period when the old protection is gone and the new protection isn't quite ready yet. I think we have those in between seasons too. We change direction, set a boundary, begin something new, let go of an old identity, or simply realize that the way we've been living doesn't quite fit anymore.

We know we've outgrown something. But we haven't completely grown into what comes next.

That's a vulnerable place to be and our instinct can be to get out of it as quickly as possible. Find the answer. Make the plan. Feel confident again. Build the armor back.

But what if we didn't rush it? What if there are seasons when we're supposed to be a little softer? Maybe vulnerability creates room for us to listen differently and space to notice what we actually want. Maybe we ask for help, change our minds, or try something without knowing exactly where it will lead.

The old shell served us and protected us. It helped us become who we are. But protection and growth aren't always the same thing and sometimes the very thing that has made us feel safe can eventually become the thing that keeps us small.

The lobster reminds us that growth requires a moment when we are willing to be without the old armor. Not forever, just long enough to become something bigger.

So if you find yourself in a space between shells right now where the old doesn't quite fit and the new hasn't quite hardened, maybe you don't need to have everything figured out yet. What if you simply trust yourself in the becoming?

Did you know you can order The Daily Wild animal inspiration card decks from the website? Whether you’re grabbing a set for yourself or looking for a meaningful gift, they're designed to encourage curiosity, confidence, and a little more connection to the world around us.

As we build this community, I would love more than anything to hear from you. What’s landing? What did you notice this week? What do you want more of? Just reply to this email and let me know.

I am really loving it when you share your daily card pulls with me - I’ve been seeing more of these come through Instagram. Tag @yourdailywild! It never gets old and always makes me smile to see the animals that are calling to you!