The Shift
"Instead of constantly stressing about a position or feeling down about not filling it, I've transformed my perspective into something positive. I genuinely enjoy seeing others thrive in that role, and I take pride in encouraging them to achieve their full potential."
I’ll never forget my first summer camp at Northern. Jumping off Black Rocks into Lake Superior with the team was the moment I knew I was at home.
It’s important to mention that I haven’t always felt at home, as I cannot talk about my past collegiate volleyball career without mentioning my journey with mental health.
After an extremely successful high school career, I got decent playing time at my old school during my freshman year. After a few successful games with high stats, my coach recruited another player who replaced my spot.
Getting my spot taken gravely affected me, as I did not know how to respond. I initially became angry at my teammate and projected my sadness elsewhere. Falling into this negative mindset slipped me into a deep hole of jealousy and depression. I started to hate going to practice and didn’t even want to travel to games.
As an athlete, it is understood that there is always someone out there who could replace you. No matter how hard I worked, that thought felt so overwhelming. Although I've spent countless hours in the gym improving my skills, I still worry that a coach would choose to recruit someone with greater talent or experience.
Although competition is a part of the nature of sports, there is a crucial need to celebrate my growth and achievements, regardless of external circumstances. I realized the importance of balance, where I can strive for my personal best while also caring for my mental well-being.
This ongoing worry has made me realize how important it is to prioritize my well-being throughout my collegiate journey.
Two years later, I transferred to Northern Michigan and didn’t expect anything. While I was being recruited, I simply asked to play volleyball with a great group of young women who love each other.
When I arrived to Northern, it took some time to make adjustments to my technique, which was difficult for some time. Once I felt myself growing and changing into a great volleyball player and an even better person, I have been on the rise!
Instead of constantly stressing about a position or feeling down about not filling it, I've transformed my perspective into something positive. I genuinely enjoy seeing others thrive in that role, and I take pride in encouraging them to achieve their full potential.
Ultimately, their success contributes to the growth and improvement of the program I am so proud to be a part of. As I watch my team succeed, I know that I helped by training and pushing them every day in practice.
I remind myself:
- I have the opportunity to grow my game surrounded by a great group of girls.
- I get to watch my team succeed.
- I get to create relationships.
- I get to have the ability to set a volleyball.
- I get to pass a volleyball.
- I get to train my mental health.
- I get to lift and feel stronger with my team.
- I get to be coached by amazing people.
I get to expand my knowledge and education.
Shifting to a positive growth mentality creates a positive atmosphere around you. Adopting this mindset lifts your peers and teammates to follow suit. You have the ability to establish a culture that honors progress, teamwork, and perseverance. As a result, everyone's performance grows and the team dynamic becomes stronger.
While some of the hardest times of my life were when I based my worth on volleyball, I wouldn’t change my experience any other way. I have grown so much from when I was in high school in all areas of my life: the court, the classroom, and as a person.
Changing my mentally helped me understand that my sport does not define me. There’s so much more beyond just being an athlete.
My name is Aydan Dalak and I'm a Nursing major at Northern. I am a Junior on the Volleyball team from Reese, Michigan.