Chapter 2: My New Identity
Hey, Welcome back! Let’s talk about, My New Identity!
You know that feeling when you graduate college and suddenly, you’re expected to have it all together and figured out? Yeah….I totally don’t know that feeling….
For me, graduation symbolized becoming an adult, but what I wasn’t told, is that navigating life after college is not just about finding a job and paying your rent - it’s about figuring out who you are now that all the structure and labels (Student, athlete, etc.) are gone. And Honestly, its been…interesting?
For years, I identified as a swimmer. Going into college, I felt a surge of hope and excitement about what this new training would unlock. Maybe even punch my ticket to the Olympics… but you know, it’s hard to compete against the GOAT (Katie Ledecky). Lol, there was no competition there, not for lack of trying, but nonetheless, I identified as a top-tier student-athlete. My days were built around practice, meets, and the swim team. But then, I got my diploma, and it was over in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, I had to redefine myself in a scary new world.
The weekend after graduation, my sister, myself, and a white rented minivan embarked on a trip from Baton Rouge, LA to Atlanta, GA, marking what I like to call my “great migration.” It was a 7+ hour drive, filled with a mix of excitement, and maybe just a little bit of panic. I was moving to an actual city, where there was fine dining, events every other day, and, best of all, my sister lived there. But here’s the catch: I didn’t have an apartment, nor could I afford one. I had a degree, sure, but I was missing the most crucial thing for this whole "big city" lifestyle - a job to pay for it!
Looking back at it, the drive was a symbolic moment. I was leaving everything I knew as a young adult behind and heading straight into the wilderness of adulthood, with the big unknown waiting for me. The weird part? I didn’t realize how big the unknown was until then!
…and that is when it hit me, “who am I?” I was no longer the swimmer or the college student, I was just Lexi with all my chapters blank and ready for the story of a lifetime. Something about it was absolutely terrifying but also amazingly thrilling!
For the first time, I was able to create my routine, and figure out what motivated me. Quickly, I realized that “figuring it out” wasn’t just a one time thing, it was going to be a life-long journey. And honestly, it is okay that I don’t have it all figured out yet…I am still working on it - and will always be working on my “New Identity!”
We all have our own journeys, filled with different challenges and triumphs along the way. But I hope this gives you a little insight into who I am, where I’ve been, and what I’m doing here on this wild ride called life.
I’m still figuring it out—just like most of us are—and I’m excited to share this journey with you. Whether you’re in the middle of your own transition or just looking for a relatable laugh, I hope you’ll stick around. After all, this blog is as much about sharing my experiences as it is about learning together and embracing the messiness of life.
Here’s to more adventures, more laughs, and more figuring it out… together!
