Press Start To Play - Oh Wait, You’re Already in the Game

We humans love to label everything! Salt and pepper? Labeled. Jars and food? Labeled. Sports, music, fashion? You bet. We don’t stop there! We slap labels on jobs, titles, relationships, beliefs, and even ourselves. Generations, personalities, lifestyles, success, emotions… nothing escapes our urge to categorize. And so, we wrap the world in tidy little boxes, shaping perceptions, setting expectations, and dictating how we think, behave, and live.

Interestingly, it almost feels instinctive rather than learned. Our need to belong runs deep, tracing back to our hunter-gatherer days (yes, I've read Sapiens and naturally feel qualified to bring it up in conversations) when survival depended on the strength of the group. We traveled in bands, relied on social bonds, and followed unspoken rules to secure food, safety, and stability. Over time, those instincts evolved, shaping how we build societies, adopt identities, and seek validation, now often measured in likes, followers, and social recognition (because if it’s not posted, did it even happen?).

But it doesn’t stop there. Modern homo sapiens have evolved to a point where civilization, rather than granting true freedom, has boxed us into carefully constructed roles and expectations; ones we reinforce daily without even noticing.

Lost & Labeled: Our Obsession with Identity

One thing that drives me mad is how far we are willing to go just to define who we are. Some people travel across the world to “find themselves” (cue every Hollywood self-discovery movie), while others hustle for titles, determined to see those all-important letters; D & R, dot included, plastered on door signs, credit cards, and even restaurant reservations! (Not judging though, if I spent a decade in med school, I’d want it embroidered on my socks too).

But why are we so eager to squeeze ourselves into these boxes? We create labels to help make sense of who we are, yet the more we label, the more we seem to lose sight of something bigger; who we could be beyond them (that’s some deep wisdom right there).

Then again, maybe that’s just how the game is played. After all, in today’s world, collecting labels is a bit like collecting Pokémon cards, each one carrying its own power level, social currency, and the occasional hidden weakness. And if you’ve read my blog, then you know where this is going (10 points to Gryffindor).

Think your identity deck is strong enough? Time to lay your cards on the table! Loading... Welcome to The Identity Card Game. Press start to begin.

Ready, player one? Whether you know it or not, you’ve been in this game since birth, collecting identity cards like your life depends on it (and it sort of does).

We all start with a pretty basic deck. Name, nationality, maybe a default title like Student, Nerd, Geek. But as you grow, you’re expected to level up, swap, and stack cards to build a winning hand (or just, you know… life). Some people play it safe with the standard upgrades: Graduate → Employee → Homeowner. Others go all in for cards like: CEO, Bestselling Author, Verified Badge on Instagram.

But hey, beware! Not all identity cards are created equal! Some come with perks, others with drawbacks, and some… well, some just keep you stuck.

Card Categories: Choose Your Labels Wisely

Basic Cards: The starter pack: Student, Employee, Parent, Traveler. Nothing flashy, but they get the job done. Power Cards: High-value labels that boost social currency: Doctor, Entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30 (yes, we get it).

Illusion Cards: Labels that seem cool but box you in: Gifted Kid (hello, burnout), Workaholic (RIP social life), Perfectionist (comes with a shiny bundle of other cards like OCD, anxiety and overthinking).

Legendary Cards: The ones that make people stop and stare: Academy Award Winner, Olympian, Self-Made Billionaire. And lucky you, if you pull one of these, pat yourself on the back; you have officially secured VIP status at Diddy's dinner parties.

The Rules (That No One Tells You About)

Your deck is never complete. No matter how many cards you collect, there’s always a shinier one to chase. You get a Degree card? Time to upgrade to Master’s Degree. You become a Manager? Better aim for Director. And so the vicious cycle continues…

If you win some, you’re definitely losing some.

CEO might come with +100 authority but -50 work-life balance.

Minimalist might give +20 peace of mind but -30 ability to hoard cool stuff.

Doctor gets +100 respect but loses -80 free time.

Some people cheat! (Yep) Ever notice how some folks magically acquire the Entrepreneur card without actually running a business? Or the Public Figure card without anyone knowing who they are? Yeah… cheating is definitely allowed.

Losing a card can feel like losing yourself (and trust me, I’ve been there). If you've built your entire deck around one identity, say Athlete, what happens if an injury forces you to retire? When a card defines you too much, losing it feels like hitting Game Over.

And now, the million dollar question: How do you win this game?

Well, if I’m being honest… I don’t think anybody really knows.

Some would argue that winning means collecting the most prestigious cards and showing them off at dinner tables. Others think it’s about curating the coolest deck (Minimalist, Digital Nomad, Travel Blogger, Indie Music Snob).

And me? At this point, I don’t even want to play the game. Because what if the real power move is walking away from the table? What if we stopped stacking labels and just… existed? What if, instead of constantly defining ourselves through titles, achievements, and boxes, we left room to explore, create, and experience life for what it is and not what it’s supposed to be?

Play the game, cheat or break the rules, it’s all up to you! Just remember, much like this identity card game, life is meant to be played, not taken too seriously.

Game over. And out.