Stuck with Labels? Time to Peel Them Off

Brace yourself, we’re peeling off some labels today!

At the kids' church I’m part of, we’ve been talking about a big topic - identity. But truthfully, it’s not just a conversation for kids. It’s something we all wrestle with, especially when life doesn’t go according to plan.

In moments of crisis, many of us find ourselves asking:

Am I doing okay?

Am I even good enough?

Why do I feel so lost?

I have to fit in somehow.

I’m a failure.

I feel invisible.

Do I even matter to anyone?

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. These thoughts creep in when our sense of identity feels shaky.

Where Does Our Identity Begin?

Our identity, the way we see ourselves often forms quietly, without us even realizing it. At home, in school, among friends, the labels we hear start shaping our self-image. A parent’s comment like “You’re so lazy” can linger for years. A teacher’s label like “naughty” can become a badge we never wanted. Society’s messages - be smarter, thinner, more outgoing can pile up silently.

We carry these statements like invisible name tags.                     

When Crisis Triggers Old Labels

Then life throws a curveball - a failure, rejection, loss, or personal setback. Suddenly, those old labels come roaring back. Even the “good” labels can backfire. If you’ve always been “the smart one”, failure hits harder. If you’re “the strong one”, showing weakness can feel like an identity crisis.

A Personal Reflection

For a long time, I thought my worth was tied to achievements. If I did well, I felt worthy. If I failed, I didn’t just see it as a mistake, I saw myself as a failure. It’s taken time (and I’m still learning) to separate who I am from what I do. To believe that I’m still worthy - even when I mess up or feel lost.

And here’s something personal, I was made fun of for being thin my whole life. It made me self-conscious. But the irony? Now people pay a lump sum to be as thin as me! It just goes to show how we look, what we do, or what we earn doesn’t define us. Trends change, opinions change but your worth? That’s constant.

You are unique. You are valued. And you are you - and that’s enough.

What We Practice at Home

At home, we’ve made a small but important shift - we don’t label our kids. We avoid saying, “You’re bad” or “You’re lazy.” Instead, we separate the action from the person: “What you did wasn’t right, but that doesn’t make you bad.” It’s simple, but it helps us remind our kids (and ourselves):

A mistake is just that - a mistake.

Behavior can change.

But your worth? That stays.     

What Helps Me: Self-Worth

One word that keeps me grounded: Self-Worth. Self-worth is the quiet confidence that I matter, just because I exist. Not because of what people say or what I achieve. If we could teach our kids and keep reminding ourselves - to be like oil in water, where society’s labels don’t sink into us, we’d walk through life lighter.

We’d remember:

I am more than the labels.

I am not my mistakes.

I am evolving, growing, learning.

Let's Wrap This Up (And Peel Off Those Labels)

Who you are is not fixed. You are not a label. You are a living, breathing, growing human being - and that is worthy.

Let’s peel off those old labels, one by one. Because the real you - growing, learning, imperfect  is exactly who the world needs.

Key Takeaway

You are not your labels. You’re not your “oops” moments either. You’re a work-in-progress masterpiece and that’s pretty awesome.

🎈 Pass It On

Know someone carrying around some sticky old labels? Share this with them. Let’s start a label-peeling party - the more, the merrier!

With love, 

Nancy Kavin