MY FRIENDS POST SOMETHING THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT, EPISODE 5: BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS
Dance has been a massive chunk of my life for pretty much the whole two decades. According to my mum, i’ve quite literally been dancing since the womb. If i’m being honest it’s the only thing i’ve never given up. I tried so many different hobbies as a kid; playing cello, singing, gymnastics and even art, but dance has been the only one that i stuck with. I never really felt like a musician, singer, artist or gymnast - despite training for years, but i’ve always felt like a dancer. I’m definitely not the best dancer but seeing how much i’ve grown is one of my biggest achievements. I was actually watching some old videos back recently and seeing how far i’ve come was really comforting. I’ve had times when i’ve been fairly hard on myself and doubted my abilities, however just being able to see the improvements over the years reminds me that i’m doing just fine. It can be easy to compare yourself to other people who share the same love for your craft but it’s important to be kind to yourself. No matter how good someone else may be at dancing, it doesn’t diminish your own ability and talent. I don’t have the best technique or performance skills but i enjoy what i do and hopefully it shows.
I grew up being really shy and introverted but as soon as i got onto a stage, i suddenly had so much confidence. When it comes to dance, it’s an opportunity to play a role or tell a story. For a few minutes you can drop your usual personality and be whatever you want to be. One of my favourite things about dance is that it constantly pushes you to your limits. Whatever it be physically or mentally, dance challenges you. People like to say ‘dance isn’t a real sport’ but i guarantee if they spent just one hour in a studio, they’d think otherwise. Not only does it strengthen muscles you probably didn’t know you had, but it tests your ability to persevere. Blood, sweat and tears is definitely the best way to describe dance as a sport.
In my opinion dance is one of the best forms of expression. Just by the way someone moves, you can almost feel someone else’s pain, joy and gratitude. I cannot begin to explain how much release you get through a performance. Whether your aim is to share your struggle, or to show how happy you truly are, it’s undeniably infectious. One of the most important things to a dancer isn’t simply looking good. Of course we want people to acknowledge and admire a routine for it's physical aspects, but we also want you to FEEL something. Sometimes dance says things that words don’t. It doesn’t even have to be full choreography either. We dance when we get good news, we dance when we eat food and we even dance when we’re just patiently waiting for something (well at least i do). My point is, dance is always there to fill the gaps when words aren’t enough.
Not only has dancing given me a creative outlet to express myself freely, but it has given me a family. I’ve met the most amazing people over the years and i couldn’t be more grateful for that. There’s something so beautiful about meeting people that share your same passion. Having friends that remind you why you do what you do and why you love it so much is so important. This doesn’t just apply to dancers, but absolutely everyone. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, chef, social media influencer, student, it’s so important to surround yourself with people who can lift you up when you feel yourself forgetting your why. Life is not meant to be done alone and you can find your people in the places you’re happiest.
I don’t know how long i’ll keep dancing for but i hope it’s for as long as possible. I can picture myself at 70 years old dancing in the kitchen with my grandchildren. That thought brings me so much joy and i hope you have something that makes you feel like that. Whatever it is, treasure it. If you don’t, it’s never too late to find your thing. Everyone starts as a beginner! Often people choose not to start something new because they believe it’s too late, but actually the most successful people and interesting stories are a result of following a non-conventional route. You don’t have to start dancing from 3 years old and go to a performing arts school, if that’s what you want to do for a living. Especially in the digital world we live in, sometimes it just takes that one video to go viral in order to kick start your career.
If there is anything you get out of this blog post, it’s not just that i’m passionate about dancing but that you should go for it. Whatever that thing is.
By Rochelle Huie
I grew up being really shy and introverted but as soon as i got onto a stage, i suddenly had so much confidence. When it comes to dance, it’s an opportunity to play a role or tell a story. For a few minutes you can drop your usual personality and be whatever you want to be. One of my favourite things about dance is that it constantly pushes you to your limits. Whatever it be physically or mentally, dance challenges you. People like to say ‘dance isn’t a real sport’ but i guarantee if they spent just one hour in a studio, they’d think otherwise. Not only does it strengthen muscles you probably didn’t know you had, but it tests your ability to persevere. Blood, sweat and tears is definitely the best way to describe dance as a sport.
In my opinion dance is one of the best forms of expression. Just by the way someone moves, you can almost feel someone else’s pain, joy and gratitude. I cannot begin to explain how much release you get through a performance. Whether your aim is to share your struggle, or to show how happy you truly are, it’s undeniably infectious. One of the most important things to a dancer isn’t simply looking good. Of course we want people to acknowledge and admire a routine for it's physical aspects, but we also want you to FEEL something. Sometimes dance says things that words don’t. It doesn’t even have to be full choreography either. We dance when we get good news, we dance when we eat food and we even dance when we’re just patiently waiting for something (well at least i do). My point is, dance is always there to fill the gaps when words aren’t enough.
Not only has dancing given me a creative outlet to express myself freely, but it has given me a family. I’ve met the most amazing people over the years and i couldn’t be more grateful for that. There’s something so beautiful about meeting people that share your same passion. Having friends that remind you why you do what you do and why you love it so much is so important. This doesn’t just apply to dancers, but absolutely everyone. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, chef, social media influencer, student, it’s so important to surround yourself with people who can lift you up when you feel yourself forgetting your why. Life is not meant to be done alone and you can find your people in the places you’re happiest.
I don’t know how long i’ll keep dancing for but i hope it’s for as long as possible. I can picture myself at 70 years old dancing in the kitchen with my grandchildren. That thought brings me so much joy and i hope you have something that makes you feel like that. Whatever it is, treasure it. If you don’t, it’s never too late to find your thing. Everyone starts as a beginner! Often people choose not to start something new because they believe it’s too late, but actually the most successful people and interesting stories are a result of following a non-conventional route. You don’t have to start dancing from 3 years old and go to a performing arts school, if that’s what you want to do for a living. Especially in the digital world we live in, sometimes it just takes that one video to go viral in order to kick start your career.
If there is anything you get out of this blog post, it’s not just that i’m passionate about dancing but that you should go for it. Whatever that thing is.
By Rochelle Huie
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