Labels

People pleaser. Introvert. Lover. Hater. Authentic. Bedwetter. Bold. Shy. Fearful. Boring. Interesting. The list goes on.

Lately, I have realized how quick we are to name and label behaviors—sometimes as a way of understanding, other times as a trend. Now more than ever, these words have become slang, woven into our everyday conversations. But have we ever stopped to think about what they truly mean? Or the effect they have on people?

I have been reflecting on this a lot, and although my thoughts may be sporadic, I would love to share them once more in my "masterclass."

Wait, that's not me

Have you ever been judged based on a single moment? Imagine entering a dusty, cluttered room, exhausted from a long day. You sit on the bed, strategizing how to clean up, when an electrician walks in and immediately labels you as dirty. Or perhaps you're simply being kind—helping someone carry their luggage while dressed casually—only to be mistaken for a bellboy.

People often label others out of context. We tend to be lazy in our thinking, embracing biases and assumptions rather than seeking deeper understanding. Few take the time to look beyond first impressions.

Consider this: You tell a story about your cat and, in a playful moment, meow. Suddenly, everyone starts calling you "Cat." Absurd, right? It makes no biological, scientific, or societal sense. Or imagine a baby crawling, and an aunt decides to call the child an animal. Ridiculous.

Yet, this is how society operates. People define others based on circumstances, mistakes, or moments when they step outside the norm.

Hi Novices, we are unraveling!

We are all evolving, yet different people meet us at different stages of our journey and assign labels based on what they see at that moment. They may see an egg, a larva, or a cocoon and assume that’s all there is—not realizing they are witnessing a butterfly in the making.

Last Saturday, I attended a GEAR UP session on identity, and the topic of labels burned in my heart. Reflecting on it even made me a little frustrated.

One realization struck me deeply: we don’t just receive labels from others—we label ourselves too. We look down on ourselves, forgetting where we’ve come from and where we’re going.

Sometimes, we shrink ourselves under the guise of humility. But our true identity is rooted in God. He is our source. If God is a Creator, so am I. If God is love, so am I. We are called to conform to the image of Christ in every way.

What Others Say About Labels

Many thought leaders have addressed the power of labels. Here are a few insights:

? "Instead of using labels when we meet people, let’s try to know them." — John Shaw

? "Our brain works stereotypically; our mind thinks in labels." — Rima Alaifati

? "If we could use labels as jumping-off points rather than conclusions, they could become tools for open-mindedness." — Anna David

Am I labeling labels?

So I ask myself: Kate, are you labeling labels? Maybe, in my reflection, I have. While labels can serve a purpose in some contexts, they should never define a person.

For every child of God, there is always more.

What do you also think about labels?