Why do we feel the need to label ourselves? Last time I checked I didn’t come with a tag.

The definition of label:

la·bel

noun

1.
a small piece of paper, fabric, plastic, or similar material attached to an object and giving information about it.

2. a classifying phrase or name applied to a person or thing, especially one that is inaccurate or restrictive.

Everyone wants to belong. To find something in common with the people around them. We identify ourselves by our job, our relationships, our family unit, our political and spiritual views. Not saying this is a bad thing. Applying a label can bring us a sense of self and community.

But what happens if that label is taken? What if you are a business owner and because of extreme circumstances you have to close your business. Without that label you can feel lost. You go from business owner to unemployed. Your purpose and sense of pride from that lable is suddenly stripped away.

What happens to the ballerina that can no longer dance because of too many injuries? A football player that retires. A husband that loses his wife and is now called a widower. The teenager that identifies as “they” and is not accepted by their family?

Maybe you grew up with a family that identified as conservative, but you identify as liberal. You were always wanted the label of mom or dad, but for some reason that’s not how life panned out. You were a husband or wife for years and suddenly you’re single again.

We also give ourselves labels that are superficial, like jealous, pretty, athletic, serious, smart, fat, skinny…..Maybe your friends labeled you as the “fun friend”. In your 20s you were the life of the party. You were always up for anything. What happens when you start a family first and settle down. You don’t want to go out. You want to be home. Then you’re told you’ve changed and you’re not the same person. You were the “blonde one”, but suddenly want to be brunette and your friends think it’s weird.

Unlike the objects we place labels on, we are always changing. That’s the beauty of being human. We are allowed to change. We are allowed to pivot. You don’t have to stay planted in the same place. You can grow as a person and create your own beliefs and views of the world.

Yes, you can be a mom, wife, son, doctor, writer, gym rat, nurse, friend, yogi, dog person, cat person, democrats, republican, Christian, Buddhist, gardener, he, she, they, summer lover, fall lover, gay, straight, iced coffee queen, wino, surfer, book worm…..You can identify yourself however you want. Just remember how you identify yourself can change because you are allowed to change. You’re not a jacket, you don’t come with a label.