When Passion Becomes Procedure: Getting out of a Rut
If dance could hold our energy, excitement, and passion as easily 5 years from now as it did the day we started, we would all be experts.
Like a new lover, we took to dancing easily, effortlessly. We couldn’t get enough. And then, often without us even knowing it, that initial excitement started wearing off, and those fun and exciting classes gradually began transforming to something dull and routine.
What happened? When we hit the end of this ‘honeymoon phase’ of our dancing, many conclude that dancing wasn’t right for them after all. But, like all relationships that last, there are things you can do to revive that spark and keep the passion going.
Switch it up.
Try a new dance. Try a new venue. Try a new teacher. Often a change of scenery is all we need to reawaken our love of dance.
Check in with yourself.
A mental realignment can work wonders for a dancer whose lost their focus. Have a personal conversation to remind yourself what you love about dancing, or what you’d like to do with your new skills. Then change your actions to move you more directly towards those goals.
Reassess your priorities.
People and circumstances change, and you may have moved into a phase of your life that requires you to adjust your dancing habits. Maybe a new job has you too tired to go out dancing every night. Or perhaps you are no longer satisfied with the weekly socials, and want to put together a performance.
Take a break.
Sometimes, we just need need some time away to realize how much we love and miss our favourite dances. Or, if you take some time off and find you don’t miss it, maybe it’s time to move on.
The very nature of ruts is that they are comfortable places to be, but not necessarily happy or fulfilling ones. In other words, firing up your passion for dancing may require expanding your comfort zone a bit, the reward being all the excitement and fun that you felt before, stepping through those studio doors that first time.
About the Author
Ian Crewe has been dancing ballroom for over 18 years, and has a Licentiate in American smooth and rhythm. His passion for dance eventually led him to blogging and the World Wide Web. Ian currently teaches at the Joy of Dance Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada.