1. The itch to work out NEVER goes away.
I have been active my entire life. It not only helps you to look good, but to feel good, too. Being a student athlete for years especially helped me to stay motivated and stick to a schedule. This is why whenever I don't stay active I find myself more stressed and less organized.
2. You still own/wear clothes you played in.
Since staying in running shape is key in soccer I have never stopped running. Also, I have never stopped wearing my soccer shorts and spandex while I run. They're comfortable and all I've ever known so why stop just because the sport did? Can't stop, won't stop.
3. Your jersey number will be your favorite number forever.
#17 for life. Whenever I see student athletes walking around school wearing something with the number 17 on it I shed a tear. I was so proud to wear my number because it is who you are when playing the game you love and no one can ever take it away from you (until you quit..oops).
4. When old team songs come on you jam out to it like you did on long bus rides.
Recently I was at a party and a song came on that my teammates and I would jam the f*%# out to whenever we played it in the locker room and the bus. It put the biggest smile on my face and I desperately needed to be with them because it was not the same. However I didn't let their absence stop my insane dance moves.
5. Looking at old team photos causes nostalgia like NO OTHER.
When I see pictures of my old teammates and I, either winning a state championship or apple picking, a thousand and one words come to mind. I'll spare you the details by not listing all of them out for you, but the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words," stands to be true. As happy as I am without soccer I will always miss it when looking at the amazing memories that it brought me.
6. RIP pasta parties (spag dins, team dinners, etc).
If you think that girls don't eat go to a pasta party near you now (or whatever your preference is on calling them) and prepare to be SHOCKED. I'm starving just thinking about all of the carbs I could be stuffing my face with right now. There is no better bonding moment than when no one has shame going in for thirds plus dessert.
7. Whenever you pass by a sport field you can't help but stare.
Whether it's a court, field, track, etc., if you used to play on it odds are you will miss it. A LOT.
8. When watching a game you can't help, but wish you were playing too.
During my freshmen year of college I attended my high school team's championship game. They won, obviously! I was so unbelievably happy for them that they had the chance to experience another state championship, but I was also insanely jealous.
9. Muscles> thigh gap
My ENTIRE life I have been insecure of my 'thunder thighs.' By being #blessed with curvylicious genetics on top of playing soccer for 10 years it's hard not to have them. However, they helped me kick ass and take names on the field and I was no longer the one complaining.
10. ALWAYS wondering 'what if' about playing in college.
I, along with many other former student athletes will always regret not trying harder to play at the collegiate level. We might have been good enough, but we didn't want it enough. I have come to terms with that because soccer will always be in my life one way or another. Once an athlete, always an athlete.
