Identities are built and begin at an early age for many individuals. They may stem from different stages of their lives, the areas they grow up in, friends they meet, their parents influences, etc. As these identities are discovered and built throughout an individuals life this builds their personalities, interests, experiences egos, and daily lifestyles.
Specifically, I want to talk about an athlete's identity. Recently I made the decision to shift my personal focus from my sport to my career. With that being known, I had many other friends approach me and openly talk about their thoughts on becoming a former athlete of their high school or university. These individuals are still in shape and enjoy sports, but are no longer labeled an athlete.
Throughout an athletes life they are influenced to practice, play, and socialize in certain terms and structures. The hard truth is, as an athlete grows they are placed on a certain social hierarchy of expectations on how to behave, how to spend their time, who to socialize with, and even their choices of food.
The main focus of this article revolves around the hard question of this: what happens when an individual has spent their entire life focusing on athletics and it comes to an end? When an identity revolves around a team that is considered family, practices that allow a pause on life's frustrations, and weekly anticipation and excitement built for a game? Regardless if the athlete has reached their last season in their sport or they are injured an athlete's identity is changed. They do not see themselves as the person that they have spent so much time and energy to build, and sadly, in many cases an ex-athlete has a bit too much free time and holds a feeling of emptiness.
Through this ideology and others confiding in me, the issue seems way too common. So many former athletes believe that their identity is lost when the game is over. For many that may mean shifting their focus to something new and growing in other hobbies and interests or easily transitioning their work ethic to something positive. However, I have met way too many former athletes that have turned to unhealthy lifestyles and felt as if they do not have self worth. They do not know themselves outside of their label.
Growth should be encouraged in so many other forms rather than an identity that can be easily stripped or lost. Athletes build their lives around this strong work ethic for a game that they are passionate about, but when it comes to an end they feel as if their lives do as well. Former athletes should take pride in the years of work they have attributed to their athletic passions, but should also grow in other areas that they may prosper in.
When the game is over, life is open to many other options, experiences, and excitements. Grow, be positive, and work hard in all you do regardless of the identity you have built that has came to an end, athlete or not. People are more than their labels.
