emotionalbetween

Emotionalbetween is a neologism used to describe the perceived emotional space that occurs between two states, people, or choices. It refers to a state in which emotions are mixed, ambiguous, or suspended, rather than fully aligned with a single feeling or outcome. The term highlights both distance and potential connection that exist in the moment of transition.

Origin and usage: The term emerged in online discussions related to relationships, identity, and personal decision-making in the early 2020s. It is not part of formal psychology or linguistics, and there is no consensus on a strict definition. Users typically apply emotionalbetween to situations marked by hesitation, tension, or unresolved attachments while one navigates a choice or a relationship dynamic.

Contexts and examples: In romance, a person may feel emotionalbetween when weighing commitment against independence, love against resentment, or when one partner is intermittently present. In friendships or family ties, it can describe the feeling of closeness and distance coexisting. In identity or career contexts, it may capture the tension of living between roles, cultures, or life stages.

Relation to other concepts: Emotionalbetween shares concerns with ambivalence, liminality, and cognitive dissonance, but emphasizes the experiential space itself—the in-between state—rather than the cause. In literary and artistic writing, it can function as a metaphor for transitional phases.

Limitations and critique: As a loosely defined colloquial term, emotionalbetween lacks formal diagnostic or theoretical status and may be interpreted variably across contexts. It is best used as a descriptive shorthand rather than a rigorously defined concept.