Just the other day, I had a conversation with a few of my best high school friends. We had all cheered together for years and we now had something else in common; we no longer were cheerleaders.
Our labels that we had worn since those awkward middle school years, were no longer accurate.
When you meet someone new and after they ask your name, a common question is what do you do? Are you involved in a club or a sport? Do you have a job or a hobby?
For a few months, I was stuck when that question popped up. I had always been 'Claire, the cheerleader,' 'Claire, the Stuco rep' or 'Claire, the yearbook girl.' In high school I was involved in about everything I had time for and plenty of things I didn't. But, I always had something to say when people asked about my life. If someone asked about my hobbies though, I usually said I don't really have time for hobbies, I am too busy with everything else.
But then I graduated.
Suddenly, I didn't have 12 labels to pick from when someone asked me. I was stuck with no answers. Who I was, was so defined by what I was involved in, that I didn't take time for myself. I had things I liked to do, like go on hikes or read a book but those things seemed pale beside my daily schedule.
So, I had to accept that I had officially lost my label(s). I realized that going into college I was going to be meeting all new people. Was I supposed to talk about my glory days of being class president? Going to nationals with my cheer squad? None of that really seemed important after I had stepped off that stage and moved my tassel.
One thing I was sure about though, I was ready for a new label. And this time, I was not going to let my label define me.
So, yes, I am a part of Delta Zeta and it is the best decision I have made since entering college. But that is not all I am. I am a pre nursing student. I am a freshmen. I am a sister. A friend. A roommate. A graduate from Eureka high school. A swim instructor. An office assistant. An employee at Applebee's for a hot sec (I may have gotten fired). And so much more.
I am my memories but I am also my present and my furture.
