Feeling lost about what 'labels' really mean to me

I've been exploring my identity for a while now, especially around my sexuality and how I connect to others. Sometimes I feel like labels help me understand myself better, like 'pansexual' or 'queer,' but other times they feel too boxed in or just... not quite right. It's like I want to belong somewhere, but I also want the freedom to just be me without having to fit neatly into a category.

It can be frustrating because I see so many people confidently owning their labels, which is amazing, but I’m still figuring out what feels authentic for me. Intimacy and connection also bring up a lot of questions—sometimes I feel deeply connected regardless of gender, other times I don't. It's confusing and a bit isolating to not have a clear-cut answer.

Has anyone else felt this way, caught between wanting a label and feeling unsure if any really fit? How do you navigate that tension without feeling pressured to define yourself too quickly? I’d love to hear how others have found peace or comfort in this kind of ambiguity.