Following my own path.
(Wouldn’t be a blog post without a cheesy reference)
When I was three I was a daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin and little sister.
By five, I was a daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, little sister, big sister, friend and swimmer.In high school I was a daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, little sister, big sister, friend, swimmer, student and girlfriend.
During my college years I was a daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, little sister, big sister, friend, scholarship swimmer, student, girlfriend, intern and aspiring communications professional.
Most recently I’ve been defined as a daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, little sister, big sister, friend, girlfriend, communications professional, elite triathlete, team member, and aspiring to be a stronger Christian.Where does that leave me? Overwhelmed and under-inspired.
Like many on New Year’s Eve, I went into 2012 saying this year was going to bring “big things”. What I didn’t realize at the time, but quickly discovered in the weeks that followed was “big things” meant redefining who I am at 25. Here are some constants I will always claim with complete bliss:Daughter + Sister + All around family girl + Someone’s significant other + Christian + Writer + Lover of all things active
A few weeks ago I started to realize that some of the things that used to make me happy, and in a way “define” me, weren’t bringing the same joy they once had. Triathlon, at the level I was competing and training, being one of them. I confided this realization in those closest to me and struggled to come to terms with the fact that happiness is found in redefining with age the things you make priorities. While I have a passion for running and biking that most will never understand I also have a passion for girls’ nights out, fashion, vacation and a desire to be the best girlfriend, friend and family member possible.With the help of friends I realized this was weighing so heavily on my heart because our society is guilty of requiring clear buckets of definition.
“Hi my name is Meghan. I’m a writer for a nonprofit and an elite triathlete.”
I found a lot of my self-worth in the last bucket, which for most of my life said “swimmer” or “triathlete”…in other terms, I am an athlete.
So what does this mean for me? It means I’m taking control of who I am and what makes me happy, rather than leaning on a talent to define who I am. I love training and will continue to do so without a defined plan and when it fits in with the other things I want to tackle in my lifetime. I love racing – and will still run happily across the finish line of dozens of races to come. I’ll take each day in stride, doing what makes ME happy. Maybe it will mean saying no to a workout so I can dress up and look nice for the manfriend all day long. Or taking vacation to spend it with my family at the beach rather than traveling to a race. 
All I know is I’m excited to see what’s ahead. Redefining at 25 is exactly what I needed. And I’m promising myself I’ll do a better job at redefining at 26, 27, 28, 29 and so forth.
Here’s to more smiles this big in 2012.
