Growing up I was told quite often that I was a rambunctious and confident child. My parents would tell people stories about how I would go up to anybody and start a conversation or try to become their friend. I had an unwavering confidence and I can’t even recall a time during adolescence of being embarrassed. This may sound like a humble brag- but everything changed in March of 2021. 

My junior year of highschool was supposed to be full of friends and school dances. It instead turned into isolation and a lonely prom dress hanging on a rack. I went from a social butterfly to a recluse. With my social life went my confidence. I was doing full online classes and never felt the energy to put on a cute outfit or do any makeup. I didn’t think anything of it until the world started opening back up. I felt anxious going to the grocery store, going to work, going to parties. It was very strange for me because I never had this anxiety before. I felt no confidence in myself. 

Then, along came pole classes and Aerial Dance. There is something about hanging in the air and spinning in contorted positions that fills me with such pride and confidence. I feel excited to climb and dance and fly. Taking classes has changed me into someone who is excited to leave the house and socialize again. Being in a place with people just like me. Women who are completely different all gathered together in a safe space to be creative, to be strong, and to be themselves. It is one of the best things I have ever decided to do and I hope to continue to do it for a very long time! 

I still have days where I come to the studio and feel uneasy or I feel like I can’t do something, but those days are the most important times to show up and to try. Just coming and learning something new is so invigorating. If I am having a bad day and don’t feel like myself I always try and sign up for a pole practice or a class because I know one of the only remedies to having low self confidence is to put myself out there and just do it. I have recommended the studio to almost everyone in my life because of what a change it has made in mine. I always have something to look forward to at Aerial Dance.