I think it’s safe to say that everyone has struggled with who they are and what they identify themselves with, especially at the college level ages in life. I know I have — I still am, but I’m here to tell you that it’s OK and that it will be OK.
Personally, I’ve only been struggling for the last month or so, but it has mainly been because of my decision to let go of playing volleyball. I’m a tall person — 6'1" to be exact. I played volleyball competitively for 10 and a half years of my life.
With my height, the first question anyone asks me is, “you’re so tall, so does that mean you play volleyball or basketball?” I get that it’s a conversation starter, and if you’re guilty of asking someone tall that question, I’m here to calm your fears and tell you that the question is asked so often that it doesn’t even phase us anymore.
Anyway, being tall and someone who is frequently asked a question about what sport I play is one of the things that has begun to stir a reaction considering I’m now an ex-athlete.
I found my identity in volleyball and idolized the sport.
I was talking to a friend of mine’s mom the other day — who just so happened to be my eighth-grade counselor. I told her about how hard the decision to quit was and how if my body could take it, I'd easily stay for another season.
She was cleaning the dishes at the time and stood there in silence, trying to gather all of her thoughts at first and then began to list off all the things that I was, “Christian, a writer, adventure seeker, a sister, a daughter.”
Now, I didn’t just list all of those things out of pride, I’m telling you because if you identify yourself with something as worldly as a sport like I did, stop. At some point, that thing will come to an end, and that chapter of your life will close.
I’ve grown to identify myself in Christ instead of in something as trivial as volleyball because, in the end, volleyball was temporary, my faith and relationship with God is forever. Also, you're young, you don't have to have all of life's secrets figured out. You're supposed to struggle, you're supposed to search for yourself.
Long story short, you’re so much more than you think. The Almighty Creator that made everything in this world made you too. God created you for not just one, but several different reasons.
You are here.
You are important.
Never forget that.
In conclusion, here are three ways to consistently remind yourself why you’re here and who you are:
1. Make a list of all the things that you are:
If you need help, ask your family or your peers. I can guarantee they have nothing but good things to say.
2. Make a sentence that is easy for you to repeat to yourself:
This has personally been one of the biggest helpers to me. If you’re struggling, think of that sentence and say it over and over until you begin to calm down and remember who you are.
3. Find your identity in Christ:
As a college student living on my own, this has been a difficult one. It’s easy to get off track when you don’t have your parents sitting around telling you what to do and where to go. Remember that this world is temporary and that God is forever, and dig deep into what He has to say daily. God has so many things planned for each individual person, including you.
