Dance like EVERYONE is watching!!!!!
These past few weeks I have made some changes and stepped outside of my comfort zone. I have to say that some of the strength and determination to do this has come from all of you. I am always telling you to give things a try before making judgements and I'm practicing what I preach! Let me tell you a bit about it.
When I was 8 years old, I started tap dancing. I kept at it for 10 years and quit when I was 18 and heading to university. I'd like to say that the main reason for stopping was to focus on my school work and applying to universities but the truth is that I let my body image and competition get in the way!
I always say to people that when I hit puberty, I grew every way but up meaning that I'm short and curvy. This is not what is considered the "ideal dancer's body" and I struggled. I would sweat in places that others didn't and it would be visible and the other girls would laugh. I was made to feel worst about my curves by the costumes that my teacher designed.
Even back then, I was assertive about things, and her and I would often fight about how revealing the costumes were and how they were not flattering to all body types. Her solution to me? Quit! So eventually I did.
I always looked back with some regret that I didn't continue because I loved it so much but knew it was the right decision for me at the time. I knew that things were getting too competitive and my body image was going to get worse if I continued.
Fast forward to 20 years later. I started taking an adult tap class again! I was nervous that I wouldn't remember anything and that the people would be rude, competitive and hurtful like they were back then but I forced myself to go anyways. I was so pleasantly surprised!!! People were so nice! We were all there to just have a good time and enjoy dancing! There was no competition and no revealing costumes! There were both guys and girls and we were all at different levels encouraging each other! The teacher was also very supportive and encouraging!
I didn't realize until after this class, just how much I was affected by my past in dance. I didn't know that dancing for fun existed! I'm so glad I decided to give it a try! I can't wait for my next class now!
Why am I telling you this? No, I don't expect you all to go out and start dancing. I wanted to share this with you to show you that you can move forward from your past. You can step outside your comfort zone to try new things or to return to something you thought you never could return to! Life is so short.....be who you are and do what you love!
