‘Purgatory Phase’

/ˈpəːɡət(ə)ri/ /feɪz/

Definition from Young Momentum

NOUN

  1. the period where your internal identity has already changed, but your external reality has not caught up yet. It sits between who you were and who you are becoming.

VERB

  1. to outgrow

There is a phase almost no one talks about.

At Young Momentum, we call it the Purgatory Stage.

It is the moment you know who you are becoming, but the world has not caught up yet.

You are clear on what you want. You are putting in the work. Learning, building, showing up. But the results are not visible yet, at least not to anyone else.

From the outside, it looks like nothing is happening.
From the inside, everything is changing.

This is where things often start to feel lonely.

Not because you lack ambition or discipline, but because your direction has shifted before your environment has.

When young people decide they want more from life and take responsibility for their future, the same challenges appear again and again.

Challenge #1
You live in the gap between vision and reality.

You know what you are building long before it shows up on paper. You carry belief without validation and certainty without proof. Your effort is real, but invisible to most people.

Challenge #2
There is a social cost to being early.

Your priorities change. Conversations feel different. People who once made sense no longer do. Not because you think you are better, but because you are early.

Friends and family often mean well. They suggest safer paths and question timelines. They respond to what they can see now, while you are focused on the long game.

Over time, isolation becomes a coping mechanism.

You stay disciplined without recognition. Consistent without visible wins. Progress is repetitive and unglamorous, and the hardest part is continuing when it feels like nothing is happening.

This stage feels heavy when faced alone.

But powerful when shared.

Sometimes all it takes is one room where ambition feels normal. One group where belief is not questioned just because results are still loading.

Young Momentum exists to be that room.

Built for 18 to 30 year olds in the Hills District who are early in their journey, serious about growth, and honest about where they are at.

If you are looking for an ambitious group, a place to grow, connect, and build something meaningful alongside people who understand the stage you are in, this is it.

Apply Now to Young Momentum

The Young Momentum membership is currently for young visionaries that are all of the minimum qualifications:

Eligibility

You are between the ages of 18-30 years old.

Profession

You’re one of the following:

  • An entrepreneur
  • An intrapreneur
  • Running your own business
  • Currently in high school
  • Interested in building a club or non for profit.

Values

You align with all 6 of Young Momentum’s core values:

  • A curiosity-driven mindset
  • Built on collaboration
  • Learning though action
  • Comfortable stretching beyond familiar ground
  • Community first
  • Ownership and integrity

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions? Answers.

What is Young Momentum?

We’re a member-based, not-for-profit organisation backed by the Sydney Hills Business Chamber, with one mission: To create a world where no young visionary feels alone. 

We are a community and leadership network for ambitious young adults aged 18 to 30, focused on personal growth, career development, and meaningful connections. At its core, we bring together the Hills’ top young visionaries who are driven to improve themselves, build strong networks, and learn from one another.

Yes. While Young Momentum is based in the Hills District, members are welcome from outside the area.

Yes. Young Momentum operates on a subscription model. To find out more visit the Membership page.

Members receive updates via email and sms. Event details, locations, and group allocations are shared in advance so you can plan confidently.

No. Young Momentum is for ambitious young people who are actively building something or preparing to. Members typically fall into one of the following groups: entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, business owners, students interested in business, or those looking to build a club or not for profit.

Memberships are fully managed through our membership portal, giving you complete flexibility to subscribe or cancel at any time.

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No. You are not expected to have any specific skills or experience. What matters is your mindset, your willingness to learn, and your openness to contributing to the room.

Yes. You will be thoughtfully matched with different people across sessions. This helps you expand your network while still allowing deeper connections to form over time.