Delaney's Random Obsession of the Day. And Kinda Her Life.
DANCE IS LITERALLY THE COOLEST THING EVER WOW!!
So I had my first dance competition of the season at the beginning of the month, and I learned so much.
Some random things I learned:
- Improv isn't that hard. - It's actually very freeing once you realize that there's no wrong answer when you're making things up as you go.
- Pay attention to details. - This is really important not only in dance, but in everyday life. The details are what makes your life different from anyone's.
- Listen to new music. - Honestly music is so cool, and there's so much more out there than Taylor Swift and Ari Grande (don't get me wrong, I definitely cried at both of their concerts). Try to find one new artist a week and listen to one of their albums. It will take like a half hour. I've started doing this and I've found so many different sounds that I would have never found on the Top 40 section of iTunes.
- Be a little bit more you. - You are really cool. Promise. Let people see more of yourself a little bit more each day. Even if you think you're the weirdest person in the world. A lot of people like weird. Weird is cool.
- Don't be afraid. Life is way too short to be scared of anything, honestly. If you spend your whole life in fear, you're never gonna know what to do when the time comes when you have to be brave.
- Kill the game. Literally live your entire life. Just go kill it.
I also learned another lesson that isn't really "random". It's too important for that list: Why can't we all just be nice?
Over the competition weekend, I saw (and heard) a LOT. And a lot of it wasn't positive. I honestly think it's insane that of all places to be mean, we were at a dance competition. Observers are making nasty comments about people doing what they love. Although some competitors are there just to win, the vast majority are there to learn, be inspired, and grow. How are dancers supposed to grow in such a bitter environment? It's enough pressure to be judged by the judges, I don't think there is any way for the extra commentary from the peanut gallery in the audience. There is a difference between "healthy competition" and belittling young children. Some people need to learn the difference still.
And this leads me to the convention room. Take one look around, and there are little clumps all over the room. Dancers tend to gravitate towards others from their studio. This past convention, I made it a point to go across the room from my studio. I had such an amazing weekend. Don't get me wrong, I'm obsessed with everyone at my studio, and I can't imagine doing this with anyone else! But I think the best part of dance is the networking and meeting new people. I feel like so many dancers are missing out on this part of the dance world because they're too focused on the final destination or scholarship or trophy or ribbon or whatever the prize may be. If you think about it, that piece of paper or plastic or metal won't matter in ten years for most dancers. That $100 cash prize or 50% discount on the next convention city will be used in a year. I think the journey to that final prize is the coolest part of dance. I've met so many cool people through dance. I have friends in California, Canada, Montana, DC, Pennsylvania, Montana, all over Ohio, and so many more places all because of dance. I would never have met these friends if I didn't step away from my studio and dance to other dancers. Once again, I'm obsessed with my studio, but it's not wrong to be nice to people who don't dance at the same studio as you.
A lot of dancers seem to forget that we're all at competitions and conventions for the same reason -- to dance. We're all obviously doing that already, so why not be nice while you're doing it?
Although a lot of my friendships with other dancers were formed by "just being nice", another big lesson I learned not only at my competition, but from dance in general, is Take risks.
I've had so many teachers tell me this throughout my years as a dancer, but it's just now starting to stick. I've seen myself change so much as a dancer since last competition season, and it's all because of my teachers pushing me to take risks. You'll never move if you don't take risks. One day, you're not going to dance anymore. I think we should make the most of however much time we have left to dance and be adventurous. Make your own moves. Leave your own little legacy. You'll never be remember if you're not risky. Look at all the names remembered in history. I can guarantee you won't be able to name one that never took a risk.
So overall, I would say I had a good weekend. I think dance is so cool and I probably always will. I think the coolest thing about dance is how everything you learn through dance can be transferred over to real life. I've grown so much as a person because of dance and I don't think I would e the person I am today because of dance, and I'm honestly so thankful for it. Go live your life.
