My life was significantly shaped by dance growing up. Dancing is my expressive outlet. When I’m dancing, my mind clears of everything, and I’m a whole different person. Dancing has helped me cope with school, work, family issues, drama, and more stress. In addition, I attribute my current self-worth to dance because it has helped me find love and confidence within myself.
I began dancing in the 5th grade; I danced tap, jazz, hip-hop, and cane. On my first day of dance class, I was a shy, timid girl; everyone knew each other, and I was just there. I didn’t know if I was the right fit for this sport, but as soon as we started learning new moves and piecing them together in sync with the music, I fell in love with it. I quickly adapted to the environment, making new friends and feeling comfortable where I was at. It was a safe space for me. This was the moment that I knew I had picked the right sport.
Dance may not sound significant to some people, but it was everything to me. Dance has taught me perseverance and determination. Weeks leading up to the recital and competition season, my dance team practiced countless hours each week until we all had it mastered. There were times when we had to stay in the studio until 10:30 pm on a school night and practice it a minimum of 50 times. This truly pushed me to keep the same effort and energy through each practice run. Although I was getting more worn out after each run, our team relied on one another. In turn, I was determined to give it my all out on the stage and be noticed for my sharp moves and big smile.
Most importantly, dancing has helped me overcome my inner battle with confidence. I have always been the girl with low self-esteem; growing up, I was apprehensive about every situation I was in. Whenever I was not doing something, my brain was constantly thinking: wondering if I was making my parents proud, wondering if my friends actually liked me, thinking about the exams I had coming up, or wondering if I memorized each step of my dance; it was a non-stop cycle. I craved reassurance; without it, I didn’t have the confidence to keep myself moving forward. However, once I stepped on that dance floor or stage, my mind was free – it filled with the sounds of upbeat music, and all I thought about was my next dance move.
Weeks leading up to our substantial 3-day weekend recital, I counted down the days until I was dancing on that stage. I felt so many emotions: nervousness, eagerness, excitement, and so on. Recital day finally came, and we stepped on stage and got into position. Immediately following the music’s start, our heads rose, and the unexplainable thrill flooded through my entire body. I felt like a completely different person. I felt invincible. The nervous pre-performance butterflies in my stomach and the cold sweats instantly vanished. I was ready to dance my heart out. Sensing the heat of the blinding lights and the packed auditorium felt like no other moment in my life; it was unforgettable. Each step we took was synchronized. In the middle of the dance, all I could think about was how grateful I was to be able to live this moment. The steady beat instantly made me forget everything else, and I became completely absorbed in it. I was able to focus on one thing: dance. As a result of dancing, I felt free and could express myself creatively. Throughout the years, the songs I’ve danced to have served as a coping mechanism during adverse times in my life. Whenever I felt defeated or upset, I would practice my [favorite dance] jazz special to “Don’t Stop Me Now” (Queen, Jazz, EMI Elektra Ariola, 1978) because the upbeat tempo and energetic rhythm lightened my mood. Dance was there for me when no one else was.
In conclusion, dance has saved me. Though I still struggle with confidence, dancing has immensely improved it and allowed me to shut out the world for the time being. As a result of this sport, I discovered a healthy coping mechanism that I can use for the rest of my life. The art of dancing has helped me realize my potential and recognize my worth. Moreover, I can convey myself and my emotions through the beloved lyrics without actually having to express my feelings verbally. I cannot explain how powerful dancing can be.
