Blog Post
Happy Thursday everyone and Happy New Year! At the studio we're starting the new year with some discouraging news of another lockdown and being made to postpone our season and move some training online. We've spent the first few days of the new session pivoting yet again to comply with government restrictions. We along with our students and disappointed, confused and angry. We have encouraged our students and our staff to allow themselves to feel what they are feeling and speak their mind. However, wallowing in these feelings for too long can be unproductive and depressing. As we work through this latest lockdown and countdown the days when we are back to our studio again here are some ways that we can maintain a growth mindset that will allow us to stay positive and focused on our goals.
Focus on the Good
When we are feeling let down or depressed it is very easy to focus on all the negative things in your life. Take a moment to reflect on all the good things you have. It may be the support and love of your family. Maybe, your health and capable body, the new friends you've made this year, the access to education, food, shelter. Each day you wake up feeling down and out take a second to write down or take stock of all the good things in your life. Before you go to bed at night think of the things you a grateful for, proud of or that you have accomplished that day. When it comes to your dance training while you are moving at home, make sure to remember your strengths and the things you have already learned and accomplished this year.
Reach Out
Having a particularly rough day? Take a moment to reach out to someone or something that makes you happy. Call a friend and talk out what you are going through. Take a moment to talk or hang out with a family member, doing something that makes you both happy. Reach out to a teacher at school or dance or just take a break to do an activity that makes you truly happy (watch your favourite show, read a book, dance around your room). In these moments where we are made to stay away from each other, it is so important to find moments of connection and continue to nurture the relationships in your life.
Turn Off
Although social media and technology helps us connect to people and the world it can also be a source of a lot of overwhelming information. If you find yourself comparing yourself or getting jealous of other dancers or people online, getting overwhelmed by the news or other people's opinions or even spending ALL of your time scrolling through the internet, PUT IT DOWN! Give yourself time reach day to turn off the noise from the outside world, spend time in quiet, take a long shower or bath, anything to give yourself a moment of peace and quiet.
Think to the Future
Whether we like it or not we are all being given a moment to slow down and reflect. Take this time to write down and focus on new goals. Take the extra time in your schedule to try something you've been meaning to try. Focus on what you want to accomplish in the next year and start what you can while you have the time. For dance, think of actionable steps you can take to improve your flexibility, achieve a skill or come back to the studio knowing your choreography better than when you were last there.
We are all disappointed that we are in this situation again. We hate being away from our students and our dance family. Although we are not able to be together, we have our health, our passion and our friends and family to carry us through. Hard work is not cancelled. Passion is not cancelled. Friendship is not cancelled. We will dance together again soon!
