Life After the Game: Embracing Growth, Change, and New Beginnings
Motivational Quote:
“Fall in love with taking care of yourself—mind, body, and soul. The best relationships begin with the one you build with yourself.” — Anonymous
Hello everyone, I’m back!!
Since my last blog post (which you can check out on my website), life has looked a little different for me. I graduated from Notre Dame, played my fifth and final collegiate season at Boston College, and completed a semester of the Master’s in Finance program at Boston College! Now, I’m officially in my last EVER semester of college and I’m officially a “narp”—crazy, right?? I never thought the day would come when I wasn’t a student-athlete, but here we are.
In light of these recent life changes, I thought it would be a great time to reflect on a few lessons I’ve learned over the past few months.
- The Privilege of College Athletics
First and foremost, I’ve learned that it is such a privilege to be able to play a sport in college. At times, I found myself getting caught up in the day-to-day and taking for granted the opportunity to pursue my passion with my best friends by my side. Now that it’s all over, though, I would give anything to relive those moments, hardships and all.
- The Importance of Relaxation
Another lesson I’ve picked up is the importance of slowing down and enjoying life outside the rigid structure that I had for the last four and a half years. Playing a Division 1 sport in college meant every moment of my day was mapped out—practice, games, studying, meetings. Now, with no structure, I’ve realized just how valuable it is to take time to relax and enjoy the small, “unproductive” moments. Sometimes, just being present is exactly what we need.
- Adaptability and Identity
Lastly, I’ve learned the importance of adaptability. The transition out of being a student-athlete has been tough, and I won’t lie—it hasn’t been easy. For so long, my identity was tied to being a soccer player. Now, as I embark on a new chapter, I find myself constantly reflecting on who I am outside of the sport. The questions “Who am I?” and “What’s next?” have lingered since my last game in October, and while I know I’m young, it feels overwhelming when others seem to have everything figured out. But despite the uncertainty, I am incredibly grateful for everything I’ve accomplished, and I trust that the next chapter will reveal itself in time.
Next Chapter: Playing Professionally
Speaking of new chapters, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be playing professionally next year in Europe, something I’ve dreamed of since I first started playing at six years old. I signed with an agent recently and am now navigating the details of where and who I’ll be playing for. As of now, Portugal is my top choice—mostly because of the warm weather—but I’m open to Spain or Italy as well. The decision to play professionally wasn’t an easy one, though. I’ve never lived abroad alone and will be in a country where I don’t speak the language, but I realized the opportunity was too amazing to pass up. A big part of my growth this year is embracing solitude, and I’m excited for this next adventure, knowing that it will help me become the person I aspire to be. Plus, my friends and family now have the perfect excuse to visit me in Europe!
Self-Growth and Relationships
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned recently is the importance of spending time alone to truly get to know myself. During my time at Notre Dame, I was in multiple relationships, but I didn’t really give myself the chance to understand who I am outside of them. After graduation, I thought I had learned my lesson, but I made the same mistake once again when I got to Boston College. I found myself falling into old patterns and dating someone when I wasn’t ready, simply because I wanted to avoid being alone. The result? Another failed relationship. Now, I’ve made a pact with myself to stop “trying on” different people and focus on taking care of myself. For the foreseeable future, I’m embracing the “Eat Pray Love” approach—focusing on self-love, personal growth, and exploring new experiences, including eating delicious food wherever I end up next year.
I’m hopeful that the right person will come into my life when the time is right, but for now, my focus is on embracing who I am and letting that guide me into the future.
The Year of Me
As we enter 2025, I’ve decided that this year will be all about me—self-love, personal growth, and embracing the unknown. I’m so excited to see where this year will take me, and I can’t wait to share my journey with all of you along the way.
Okay, that’s all for today! Until next time,
Paige <3
Curabitur maximus, augue nec venenatis posuere, leo nulla congue tortor, et vestibulum ipsum ante sit amet neque. Aliquam purus eros, eleifend in lorem sed, ornare euismod erat. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Pellentesque eu interdum velit.