Coping With Identity Loss As a Retired Athlete
For the longest time, your life has been wrapped up in your sport.
It can be tough to let go when our identity is so closely tied to what we do. This is especially true for athletes and performers when their careers come to an end. Finding a new purpose in life can be challenging, and it's common to struggle with career transitions, body image issues, disordered eating, and a lack of self-identity after retiring from sports. However, it is possible to move forward. In this blog post, we'll explore some ways to start grieving your athletic identity and find a new sense of purpose in life.
The Benefits of Athletics
You were once surrounded by structure, schedules, expectations, recognition, and positive reinforcement for your actions. This became your norm and your identity without you realizing it. People praised you for your leadership, hard work, teamwork, performance, and passion, with the intention of helping you with college applications, scholarships, and preparing for your future. Throughout your life, you were told that many great things were coming your way and that you were on the right path. The positive reinforcement was what kept you going.
The Athletic Identity
Student-athletes are a unique group of individuals. Their identities are closely linked to their chosen sports, and from a young age, they dedicate countless hours to honing their skills and pushing their physical limits. Throughout much of their lives, they have shaped their thoughts and actions around the goal of becoming the best athlete they can be. The athlete's life is a delicate balance, involving intense training routines, academic commitments, and competitive pursuits. Over time, this lifestyle not only shapes their physical form but also molds their self-perception. While it often brings out the best in the individual, it can also present unexpected challenges.
Retirement can be a complex form of grief.
It may have come too soon due to an injury, loss of a scholarship, or other reasons, leaving you feeling unprepared to move on. On the other hand, it might not have come soon enough, and you may be dealing with the aftermath of prolonged mistreatment. Your relationship with your sport could be complicated, and you might question its impact on your life. Regardless of your past experiences, it's difficult to give up the only life you've ever known. If you're not practicing today, what are you supposed to do? If you're not working toward the next big competition, what are your goals? Without your coach's standards to live up to, where does your sense of worth come from?
For retired athletes, the loss of identity associated with their sport can be deeply disorienting. From a young age, they have dedicated countless hours to training, competing, and striving for excellence in their chosen discipline. Their athletic achievements become intertwined with their sense of self-worth and purpose, leaving a void when the competitive chapter of their lives comes to an end. Suddenly, the familiar routines, camaraderie with teammates, and adrenaline of competition are replaced by a sense of emptiness and uncertainty about the future. Transitioning out of sports requires a period of adjustment and self-discovery as athletes redefine their sense of identity beyond the playing field.
Coping with Identity Loss as an Athlete
Allow yourself to grieve: Recognize and validate the feelings of grief and loss associated with retiring from athletics. Allow yourself to grieve the loss of your athletic identity. It's normal to feel sadness, frustration, or confusion.
Rediscover your passions and interests: Explore hobbies and activities outside of your sport. This can help you find new sources of joy and fulfillment. Consider engaging in activities that you previously didn't have time for due to your athletic commitments.
Find alternative ways to move your body: You can enjoy movement like yoga, walking, or swimming to honor your body and the hard work it put in for so many years.
Identifying transferable skills – A few examples to explore: organizational skills, perseverance, dedication, adaptability, teamwork, performing under pressure, meeting deadlines, and setting and achieving goals.
Invest in Personal Development: Focus on personal growth and development by setting goals outside of athletics. Whether it's pursuing further education, developing professional skills, or prioritizing mental and emotional well-being, investing in yourself can help build confidence and resilience.
Seek Support: Reach out to friends, family members, coaches, or mental health professionals for support during this transition. Sharing your feelings and experiences with others who understand can provide comfort and encouragement along the way.
Celebrate Your Achievements: Take pride in your athletic accomplishments and the lessons learned from your journey in sports. Reflect on the skills, resilience, and determination that enabled you to succeed as an athlete, recognizing that these qualities will serve you well in your future endeavors.
Begin Therapy with an Athlete Therapist
Starting therapy with a therapist who specializes in sports retirement can be a transformative step for athletes navigating the challenging transition from their athletic careers. As a former D1 athlete, I understand the emotional and psychological challenges that come with retiring from sports, such as identity loss, lack of routine, and feelings of isolation. Through sports counseling, retired athletes can explore new passions, set meaningful goals, and build a fulfilling life beyond their athletic identity, ensuring a smoother and more positive transition into their next chapter.
