How appropriate that I should come across this article just before my “comeback” competition!
Check it out:
Quotes To Help You Overcome Your Dance Fears And Live A Creative Life
Tag: competition
Countdown to CalOpen – 6 Days: Up and Out!
Less than a week to go!
I’m happy to report that I have not had to run to the bathroom to hyperventilate again since last week. Although yesterday I came close.
Countdown to CalOpen – 12 Days: Anxious Beast Mode
Before group class yesterday, I was formulating a post idea in my head about entering “beast mode.” You’ve probably heard the term. It’s used to describe someone in a state of extreme determination and action, like an incredible hulk of productivity. No more excuses, no slacking off. In beast mode, you get things DONE.
I was feeling a bit like I was in beast mode. After a good lesson on Wednesday, which ended with a practice round (meaning we danced all four dances in a row, just like we will at the competition), I identified mistakes I made and things I needed to work on. And I was ready to WORK. “Let’s dance that again, and then dance it 10 more times!” I arrived at the studio early yesterday so I could practice before Teacher’s waltz group class.
It didn’t go so well.
Countdown to Calopen – 15 Days: Visiting With an Old “Friend”
Two more weeks! I’m actually feeling ok.
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Countdown to CalOpen – 19 Days: Reflections
Our story begins with a podcast that has nothing to do with ballroom dancing. But since it is the thing that put me on the path to writing this post, I am starting there. Lewis Howes was interviewing Lisa Nichols. You may have heard of them if you’ve gotten into personal development, life coaching or entrepreneurship. They’re both very successful and worth checking out if you’re interested in those things.
Anyway, I was listening to the podcast at work, and at one point, Ms. Nichols was talking about the different types of relationships you will experience in your lifetime. One of them was a purposeful relationship. Someone comes into your life for a specific purpose (whether you’re aware of it or not), and once the purpose is fulfilled, the relationship will become stagnant or break down completely.
There are plenty of directions you could go with this idea, but my mind was transported to my very first competition: the 2014 San Francisco Open.
Let the Countdown Begin – 3 Weeks Until California Open
All it took was some luck, hard work and financial wizardry, and I’m back on the competition dancefloor in three weeks! California Open, here I come.
Cue the anxiety attacks! (She said only half jokingly.)
What the Hell is Wrong with My Face?
No new questions this week, but I did ask myself a big one while watching videos from my last lesson. So we’ll set “Ask the Girl” aside for now and just explore the deep dark forest that is my brain!
Twas the Night After Christmas
And all through the house, not a creature was stirring…
Except for me. I’m not quite ready to sleep. But I think it’s ok, since Santa has already come and gone. I hope all of my readers who celebrate Christmas had a wonderful holiday!
I’m just going to openly ponder some things while I wait for my eyelids to get heavy.
Ask the Girl Episode 6 – Competition Budgeting
A fellow ballroom student, thinking about getting back into competing after several years, asked me for a refresher on what expenses she needed to account for as she budgeted for a comeback. It’s great timing as the new year brings a whole new cycle of ballroom competitions to enter. So for any other pro-am ballroom dancers gearing up for a competitive 2016, here is a quick breakdown of what you’ll need to include in your budget. Note this list is based on my experience with NDCA competitions.
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Missing Something That Isn’t Really Gone
I miss ballroom dancing.
I haven’t completely stopped, but I am doing a lot less. So far in December, I’ve had two private lessons. In mid-November, I had to cut down from two to one per week due to finances. Then Teacher was gone for a week for the Holiday Dance Classic. This past week, we were supposed to return to the normal two, but Teacher cancelled the second one.
Two lessons. Normally, it would have been six by now! Or at least four, if you account for the week Teacher was gone for the competition. And with the holidays coming up, I might have two more lessons before the end of the year.
I miss dancing.
Two is better than none though, right? Am I just being ungrateful?
The Girl with the Tree Tattoo 