The Journey to Splits challenge ended on July 30. I’m finally getting around to writing down my thoughts on the process. Was I able to do a split at the end? Nope. But I was closer than on day 1!
Not much closer, but still
My post-challenge thoughts:
I mailed my entry forms for USDC! Hotel is reserved, flights are booked. No turning back now!
I’m mailing a check for how much?? I can’t watch.
With just under 5 weeks to go, I’m carefully managing my mindset so it doesn’t turn all dark and negative and anxiety-ridden. I know myself, so I know I’ll freak out at some point. But it’s ok. USDC will be my first competition at which I dance silver. Might sound a little crazy, entering the silver level for the first time at Nationals. But Teacher believes I can do it, and I am getting a test run at a team match in two weeks. I’m doing my best to ignore the fact that I still don’t know all of the steps in my silver routines. Trying to stay positive, I focus on the fact that I am making progress at every lesson. And I can follow the steps when I dance with Teacher. And there are still 5 weeks to go. Or is it only 5 weeks??
I don’t struggle with this daily or anything…
In honor of National Dance Day, a quick post about another dance adventure Roomie and I went on last weekend! This time, it was a country music festival held at a restaurant/bar. You wouldn’t guess it from the outside, but the place has a big stage and dancefloor in the middle of it. Now, I am not a fan of country music. And line dancing is…ok. Just not really my thing. Roomie is more the hard core fan. Despite those facts, I had fun! I mean, it’s hard to not have fun when you’re surrounded by live music and positive energy and people dancing. Just my opinion.
She was country and I was more rock ‘n roll.
Stefanie was my first connection in the Ballroom Village. Her stories on her blog inspire and encourage me to keep going! You can check them out at http://dancingwithstefanie.com/. I asked her to write a guest post and I think it ended up being a great response to my last post: At What Point Can You Call Yourself a “Dancer”. Without further ado… Continue reading
I think I’m going through a little ballroom withdrawal. It’s been weeks and weeks since I took a group class. My last few private lessons were a week apart due to Teacher going to comps or having other scheduling conflicts. And I haven’t been going to the studio to practice. I have all sorts of excuses, including the fact that I’m still doing things at home like the journey to splits challenge. I used to practice before and/or after group class. It worked well for me. But now that I’m not taking group, I find it’s hard to motivate myself to go to just practice on my own. This is why I fail at being a gym member. I’m much more likely to go if there is a class or something where I have other people to support me and hold me accountable. But going by myself to work by myself? I feel like I may as well save the gas and stay at home. This withdrawal coupled with anxiety over USDC and reading online how often others practice or have private lessons has me once again pondering a question my demons obsessively taunt me with: at what point can I call myself a dancer?
Continue reading
Sometimes I go back and reread old blog posts because the same issues come back to pester me again and again. This one from the Uphill Factor seemed to fit the pestering thoughts today.
I’m fighting this fear of never being “good enough” even though I don’t really know what that means. Good enough for what?? I’m trying so many things right now to reshape my brain into a more positive thinking entity. Less focus on the fear and doubt. But the hilarity is sometimes I think “shit, what if I fail at all these things?” How’s that for special? I’m focusing on the possibility of failure in attempts to be more positive. But what my old post linked above reminded me was I am trying, I’m not giving up, and that should make me “good enough,” no matter the final outcome. So even if months from now, I’m still as cynical as ever in my thinking, at least I tried to absorb more unicorns and rainbows! I’m giving it my best shot and that counts for something.
July is about halfway over and so is the Journey to Splits challenge. For about two weeks now, I’ve been doing the five foundation stretches plus the stretch of the day, holding each one for a minute (per side, if applicable). And if you follow me on Instagram, you know my dogs have become my biggest fans/supporters. Nothing like having your face licked while you’re trying to pull your leg toward your head! I thought I would share my observations/learnings on this 30-day journey so far.
My boys are always there to cheer me on!
Everyone learns in their own way. Some learn by doing, others by taking notes. Some are visual learners and others are auditory. I think I’m a combination of methods. But as I learn more about the silver level of ballroom and more advanced ballroom technique, I’m noticing my internal learning process is a little more complicated than when I was just learning bronze and the basics.
Warning, I drop a few F bombs in this post.
I know July is tomorrow, and not in a couple days, but don’t forget, this was first published on Patreon yesterday! Become a patron today and get to read these articles before anyone else!
In a couple days, we’ll be into another month and halfway through the year. Yikes! I never seem to get over how quickly time flies, while simultaneously some work weeks just drag like they’re rolling through molasses. Like with June, the arrival of July means rent is due, credit card bills are coming due, and I am still short on group class cash. Bummer. June was a “challenging” month as far as battles with demons go. It didn’t all have to do with group classes or lack there of, but not having that distraction didn’t help. Even though I still went to the studio a day or two a week for class or a private lesson, as the end of June got closer, I really started to miss dancing! It’s all for Florida and Ohio, I keep telling myself.
The Girl with the Tree Tattoo 