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When I first started playing sports, I never thought about the last time I would play a basketball game, race a 5K, or compete in a track meet. As someone who has identified as an athlete for as long as I can remember, grappling with the idea of my last high school sports games has been incredibly difficult. To be honest, I think I’m still in denial about never playing an organized basketball game again. Earlier this year, I made the difficult decision to prioritize academics over athletics in college, and the emotional weight of that decision still sits heavily on me. It’s forced me to ask questions I hadn’t considered before: Who am I without being an athlete? How do I separate my identity from the only label that’s ever really stuck? Without realizing it, sports had become the framework of how I view myself. So maybe the better question isn’t “Who am I without sports?” Maybe it’s simply “Who am I, really?”

As a senior in high school, I am currently in an era of many endings and new beginnings, which is equally exciting and terrifying. Now that I am just a few weeks away from the end of my time in high school athletics, I’m stepping into unfamiliar territory that is filled with uncertainty. As a result, I am trying to figure out more about who I am. I have started to notice the parts of me that have existed all along, but have been overshadowed by sports.

Looking back, I realize sports taught me more about myself than I ever gave them credit for. Yes, they built my physical strength and endurance, but more importantly, they shaped my character. I know how to work toward long-term goals and be content without instant results or gratification. I learned how to show up for others even when I was tired, frustrated, or doubting myself. I know how to fail publicly and still leave the building with my head held high. I know how to lead, listen, and stay disciplined. The resilience that got me through tough games and injuries also helps me push through personal and academic challenges. These aren’t just athletic skills; they are life skills, and I am eternally grateful that sports gave them to me. Additionally, they won’t vanish just because my time as a high school athlete is ending.

Being an athlete has shaped me, but it surely doesn’t define me. As I start a new chapter of my life, I have to remember that who I am is not defined by awards and accolades. Who I am has never been defined by how many points I scored or how fast I ran; it’s been about my values, my actions, and the way I interact with those around me. While sports taught me how to push my limits and strive for excellence, it’s the relationships I’ve built and the impact I’ve had on others that truly shape my identity. Those are the things that will endure long after I complete my final seasons as a high school athlete.

There’s still a part of me that misses putting on my basketball uniform, practicing with my teammates, and going to AAU tournaments. After playing basketball for over ten years, part of me now feels empty. But I know that sports will always have a presence in my life. I will always watch basketball, play pickup games, and go for a run to boost my mood. However, now I have something new: space. Space to reflect. Space to grow. Space to figure out who I am without competing, being watched, or feeling judged. I’m discovering new things about myself that I didn’t fully know before. I’m learning that I can enjoy something just because it brings me joy, not just for the purpose of making me a better, faster, or stronger athlete. I’m learning how to be comfortable with uncertainty and how to chase goals that don’t come with a cheering crowd. Ultimately, I’m learning that stepping away from something doesn’t mean losing it. I may no
longer be an athlete in the traditional sense, but I still carry the heart of one; I will always be an athlete, it just looks different now. And slowly but surely, that’s starting to feel like enough.

Whether you are experiencing a transition period in your life, the end of your athletic career, or maybe you are starting something new, I hope you know you are not defined by what activities you do or your performance. You’re not leaving your identity behind. You’re simply bringing it with you into a new part of your life, where it can grow even stronger. You are your own person, and that will always be enough.