Competitive dance not only taught me how to port-de-bra, but it taught me a few life lessons along the way. An experience that I would never change, it shaped me into the person that I am today (literally).
1. Quick changes.
Thirty-second quick changes, from your ballet bun to teasing your hair for your studio production, were the norm. When your friends decide to go out on a whim, you can handle the pressure.
2. How to take criticism.
You can be told that your switch leap was gruesome and your arms were disastrous in your turn without taking it personal. You've learned how to take criticism as a positive thing to help better you. No critique is a bad critique.
3. Sacrifice.
Growing up, you missed birthday parties, hanging our with your friends, and even family dinners. The phrase "I can't, I have dance" became part of your every day lingo.
4. How to lose.
You can't win everything and nothing is handed to you. You learned that when you were six, performing your first competition routine. You walk away from the awards ceremony with your chin up.
5. Co-habitating with the "enemy."
Because being in a dressing room with four other studios taught you to be respectful to your competition.
6. Positive self-image.
Staring at yourself in the mirror for 16+ hours a week taught you to love the skin you're in.
7. The art of performing.
You learned to act the role.
8. Time management.
From a young age, you learned that with long dance practices, your homework still had to be done, whether it was making sure all your homework got done in the car, between dance classes with your team, or after. Once dance was over at 9 p.m., your night was usually just starting. And as you got older, the longer your nights became.
9. Responsibility.
Because you had to be sure that you had every part of each of the seven costumes and the right tights at each competition, or you were letting your whole team down.
10. How to act under distress.
Someone ripped their jeans mid-tap routine, or their prop fell. The show must go on. You know how to deal when not everything goes perfectly.
11. Discipline.
You're not forced to be there on time, like with school, but you know you have to be there. You're also subjected to a dress code and a high bun. You learned self-discipline and dedication.
12. Teamwork.
There is no "i" in team. You learn to work and help each other out, because you can't perform looking like seven separate dancers, but rather, as one collective unit. Every single person has to give it their all.
13. Confidence.
You knew how to confidently strut the stage in front of three judges and other studio performers. To this day, being in front of a crowd doesn't phase you.
14. Passion.
You learned how to fall in love with something. Dancing to eight counts? It taught you everything, and made you the person you are today.
