This countdown series certainly took a different turn from my other competition countdown series. Although, it isn’t the first one in which I ended up not competing. That’s part of the fun of blogging about my journey as it happens instead of telling a story that’s already over; not even I know what’s going to happen next!
Tag: self-doubt
A Review of Ballroom Beach Bash 2017 – A New Beginning
I’m officially a competitor again! Ballroom Beach Bash was a success and a wonderful start to what will hopefully be a long competitive season.
Filling out Entry Forms
There’s that moment on your journey toward a goal when something hits you and you think “oh shit, this is really happening.” I reached an “oh shit” moment this weekend when I printed the entry forms for Ballroom Beach Bash.
Cha Cha – The Foxtrot of Rhythm
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you know I have a love/hate relationship with foxtrot. I’m always just a little off in understanding that dance. Things never go quite right. Steps constantly elude me. It’s maddening.
At the same time, foxtrot seems so fun! The music, the slick moves, it reminds me of old Hollywood and great dancers like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. But for whatever reason, this cat isn’t so cool when she tries to foxtrot. Foxtrot is my ballroom nemesis.
Now it seems a new villain has come to town: cha cha.
An Open Letter to My Self-Doubt (Rated R For Excessive Use of F-Bombs)
I originally wrote this letter in 2014 for my old website, the Uphill Factor. I like to reread it every once in awhile to remind myself. I think it’s a nice follow-up to my On Not Giving Up post.
Dear Self-Doubt,
Tips for Dealing with the Anxious Beast
As just a person with experience, and not an expert or professional in the mental health field, here is a breakdown of how I handled my anxiety attacks described in yesterday’s post. Maybe someone else will find these tactics useful.
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I Perform Better in the Dark
Before I get started, I just want to share that I’m on vacation for an entire week! Obviously, I really needed it because my mood improved more and more on Friday as it got closer to quitting time. I’m looking forward to this week of sleeping in, spending time with my puppies, writing, and dancing!
Which brings me to today’s topic:
For the last few weeks, I’ve been going to these Sunday social dances. They are hosted by a friend of Teacher’s, owner/creator of freeballroomlessons.com.
Watching From the Other Side of the Ballroom, Accompanied by My Fears
I spent a lot of time waiting while working as a runner at the Hollywood Dancesport Championships. It gave me a chance to watch people dance, including Teacher with two of his students. I already wrote about the challenges that can come with being a spectator, when I attended the studio’s Halloween team match. Spectating at this comp was the next level up.
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Trust and Ballroom Part 2: Trusting Yourself (Write31Days Day 30)
After getting a bit of a mental smackdown courtesy of my demons last night, I considered letting them write today’s post. But I’m going to pull myself together and focus on the productive and the positive.
Another lesson and another repeated mantra from Teacher yesterday led to this extension of yesterday’s post on Trust and Ballroom.
You have to trust your partner in order to dance ballroom. But you also have to trust yourself.
Dancing for the Journey or the Destination? (Write31Days Day 9)
A dear friend who I hadn’t seen in a long time came to the studio tonight to watch me during my lesson. I met her through ballroom and for awhile, our ballroom journeys paralleled. We danced with the same teacher and even went to our first two competitions together. But things change and paths diverge, so I don’t see her as often anymore.