6 Life Lessons Dance has Taught Me

“God make me so uncomfortable that I will do the very thing I fear.” ~ Ruby Dee

Hey hey sweetie pies, happy Thursday! I spent a great part of my morning reflecting. I spent that time reflecting on things that dance has taught me. I have so many things that I can honestly credit towards being a dancer and growing up in a traditional studio setting. I took dance where it often challenged me but in the process, I ended up learning so much about myself. A place that I learned some significant life lessons. These lessons and/or experiences that I am going to share today come from different time periods of my dance journey so far. 

As a dancer, I have been aware of rejection but didn’t really had to deal with it in my dance career until I got to college. I remember going on auditions and feeling super confident that I would advance and I didn’t. I used to take it so hard back then! I would cry my little eyes out. (Once I was in private of course) I had to learn that in life you just can’t win them all and that’s okay. What’s more important is how you bounce back from that. Dealing with those minor rejections prepare you for real world disappointments such as getting laid off or when you don’t get that coveted job. 

This one is definitely a working progress for me. But in the dance world, there is a level of discipline that I feel like can’t be matched anywhere else. I learned the importance of discipline. When the instructor enters, you know class has begun and expectations from your instructors are high. You don’t want to let them down (or yourself for that matter) so being self disciplined is a plus for instructors. As an artist, you have to have self discipline not only to create but to simply survive. As artists, we can only possibly thrive off of what we are creating so self discipline is vital. 

This one has been absolutely detrimental to not only my growth as a woman but as an artist as well. In this world, if you are not sure of yourself or abilities, the world will dictate it for you. As artists, we can only prosper when we live and create in our truth and in order to get to that place of truth is to believe in yourself. You have to believe that you can achieve whatever it is without always knowing the way to the end product. (How scary is that?!) Operating on faith can be the thing that allows you to hold on until your breakthrough. Believing in yourself is so beneficial. You can operate in confidence regardless of the circumstance when you unapologetically love and believe in yourself. 

I remember one time I was getting ready to try this leap where I had to jump and my team caught me. I was terrified! So many thoughts were running through my head, “what if they don’t catch me?”, “what if I fall and break something?”. The fear of the unknown can be crippling. I was assured by my coach that I needed to trust them and myself and if I did it would be ok. Sure enough, I just trusted myself and my teammates and it worked out fine! I think by nature we question ourselves when we don’t have to! We already possess the power that we thought we didn’t. There is something beautiful about people unifying through trouble and vulnerability. Plus dance has a way of bringing people together – stripping and breaking people down while simultaneously healing them. It is quite the experience and it is something that is hard to explained but felt. Once you are vulnerable and open yourself to the universe, you will be received by someone. If it is worthwhile, it will not return to you void. 

It is true when they say that comparison is the thief of joy. It is easy to want to compare your 3rd year of dance to someone who may be on their 7th year of dancing – trust it makes a huge difference! Remember that your journey is your journey. I used to struggle with this before I came into my own as an artist. You never want to be like anyone else. Icon artists are celebrated because they stood out not because they blended in. I try to now think of how I can be a better dancer than the day before. 

While it is nice to know my way around the dance floor, I mean this in other aspects of my life. Dancing gives me freedom. Dancing helps to see something that I didn’t realized beforehand. Dancing gives me confidence and makes me feel strong. I feel like the best version of myself when I am dancing. I love that feeling so much that I try to carry that same energy in other areas of my life. Plus whenever I overcome a challenging move or trick, it gives me quite the confidence boost!

Do you have any hobbies or passions that have taught you important life lessons? Chime in the comments below. I would love to know more about you guys! 

As always, XO and Stay FAB! ~ Stormie J