I know I’m the first to critique myself after doing something, and immediately thinking about how I make it better or focus too much on what I did wrong. Whether it’s at home, at work or at the studio, I often think about what I could be doing better than what I’m doing at the moment. Since starting at the studio about four and half years ago, I’ve gotten better at this type of thinking and instead try to focus on the positives. It’s all thanks to our instructors and the constant support of the community and overall encouragement everyone gives me when I’m at the studio.
I like to think I’m a pretty positive person, I’m definitely that friend that will always celebrate others first and look on the bright side of things at work or with friends. But I’m not always the best at doing it with myself. There have been times when I’m at the studio, trying a move that I’m being spotted at, and I can’t quite reach my toe when I’m wrapped around the pole like a pretzel. But the moment I come down from the pole, the instructor is right next me with the biggest smile on their face, or clapping and jumping ready to give me a high five! I come down saying “I couldn’t reach my foot though, it wasn’t what I was supposed to do.” They’ll respond in a number of ways though being like “OMG, that was so good though!” or “You were so close to touching your toes” or even “That doesn’t matter, you did a really hard move! You did amazing!”. Those pieces of encouragement fill me up and remind myself that I don’t need to be so harsh on myself.
I constantly forget that what I’m doing is already hard enough and 98% of the people I know couldn’t do half of what I can do. The instructors truly are our biggest cheerleaders and they will celebrate you even when you don’t want to. The whole environment at Aerial Dance is all about supporting each other and celebrating your wins no matter how big or how small, but that everyone is amazing. The instructors and other students in my classes have helped me grow so much confidence over the last 4 years, that I will forever be grateful to the studio. It’s helped remind me that no matter where I am, whether it’s at the studio, at home or at work, that I have things I can be proud of and can celebrate no matter what and that I need to celebrate myself more! <3