Hey Reader!
I used to be a very active skier and volleyball player. I mean, I was out there, living my best life on the slopes and crushing volleyballs with the best of them. But, as time has moved on, my body has decided it’s had enough. Skiing and volleyball? Yeah, not so much anymore. I used to think it was just the aches and pains catching up with me, but recently, it hit me—those are just part of the story. The real reason I’ve stopped is that I’m scared. Scared that these new, limited memories will slowly replace all those epic moments I had when I was active and performing at a higher level.
I know, it’s kind of a dramatic realization, but hey, that’s where I’m at.
And it got me thinking...
As people, it’s easy to tie our identity to what we can do physically. I mean, if you’ve spent years skiing down slopes or crushing volleyballs, those moments become part of who you are. They shape your memories and even your sense of self-worth. So, when those abilities begin to fade, when the aches and pains start to limit what we can do, it’s not just our physicality that’s affected—it’s our identity.
The fear of losing that part of ourselves can be paralyzing. And let me tell you, I’ve been there. When I stopped skiing and playing volleyball, I didn’t just mourn the activities—I mourned the me that did those things. Who was I without that energy, that athleticism, that sense of purpose? It was a hard question to answer, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out.
But here’s the thing. Our identity is not bound by just one thing. It's easy to forget that when we feel like we're losing a piece of ourselves, but the truth is, we are multi-faceted. Our identity is made up of many different aspects—our passion, our relationships, our willingness to learn, and even how we handle change. Just because we’re not the same person we were doing those activities doesn’t mean we’ve lost who we are. We’ve simply evolved. And in that evolution lies an opportunity for growth we might never have seen if we stayed stuck in the past.
This brings me to a crucial point—fear. The fear of letting go of our past selves can often paralyze us from moving forward. We want to cling to what was because it feels safe. But here’s where we have the power to change the narrative. The truth is, we get to write the next chapter of our story. Sure, we may not be able to do the same things we used to, but we can build new memories, find new sources of pride, and redefine what success looks like in this new phase of life.
We’re often faced with challenges that force us to face this fear head-on. Whether it's recovering from an injury, navigating a new chapter in life, or simply dealing with the reality that our bodies don't do what they used to—we can let fear control us, or we can let it fuel us. The key is to stop seeing change as a loss and start seeing it as an opportunity to rediscover who we are, no matter what we’re capable of physically.
For me, it’s been about finding joy in different things, taking new experiences with the same level of passion that I used to bring to the activities I loved. It’s about redefining success, not based on what I used to do, but on how I adapt and grow moving forward.
If you're in a similar situation, it can help to first reframe how you view this change. Instead of seeing it as a loss, try focusing on what this new chapter could bring. What can you learn from this shift? What new goals can you set that are aligned with who you are now, not who you used to be? It might feel uncomfortable at first, but redefining success is a powerful tool in your growth.
Another way to navigate this transition is by creating new positive anchors. Just as athletes create routines to ground them in performance, we can do the same for ourselves in life. Think about small habits that bring you a sense of peace or joy—whether it’s a morning ritual, a motivational mantra, or even a physical item that symbolizes your current journey. These little anchors help you stay focused on the present and keep you connected to your path forward.
It’s also important to practice self-compassion. Change can be tough, and it’s okay to feel frustrated or sad at times. Acknowledge those feelings without judgment, and give yourself the space to experience them. The more we practice self-compassion, the easier it becomes to keep moving forward, even when it feels difficult.
Lastly, find new sources of pride. I know it’s easy to cling to what we were once great at, but we all have the ability to discover new things that bring us pride and fulfillment. Whether it’s exploring a new hobby, taking on a new project, or reconnecting with passions that may have been put aside, these new milestones are just as valuable as the ones we created in the past.
So, how do we move past the fear of losing our identity in the face of change? First, we embrace the change instead of resisting it. We focus on the qualities that make us who we are, beyond the physical. And most importantly, we realize that our value doesn’t come from what we can do but from who we are—our ability to learn, adapt, and continue creating new and meaningful experiences.
As we navigate through life's inevitable changes, it’s important to remember that our journey doesn’t end when our abilities change. It’s simply a shift—a new path that offers its own set of challenges and rewards. Embrace this journey. Rediscover your passions, redefine what success looks like, and keep moving forward with an open mind and an open heart.
Until next time—remember to embrace the change, adapt, and keep pushing forward!