Staying Motivated

I have been dancing for 11 years. That's a long time! As much as I love to dance, sometimes I can lose motivation. This is normal and happens to all dancers. How do you stay motivated?

First, identify what you're feeling. This feeling of losing motivation is called burn-out. It's completely normal and common. Fighting burn-out isn't always easy, however. Just try thinking of why you started dancing and how much you loved it when you weren't burnt-out. Think about how much you've improved since you started dancing, or even in the past year. How much you're capable of now as opposed to years ago. You've grown a lot, so don't let burn-out be the reason for quitting.

Another way to remain motivated is to take healthy breaks. Don't push yourself to work hard when you really don't want to deep down inside. Summer and the holidays are great times to take a break. As a dancer, you may feel like you always have to be practicing, but taking some time off for yourself should come first. Taking care of yourself must be your most important priority, and using a healthy break once in a while is a good way to do so.

Some dancers only train in one style, and because of that, they lose their motivation. Sometimes, it's good to break things up and try something new. Taking a class in a new style can benefit you in many ways. You can make new friends, learn new skills, and regain your impulse to dance. It's a win-win!

One last way to stay motivated is to be positive. Having a healthy, positive mindset is key to being motivated. If you have negative thoughts like, "I can't do this anymore," or "I want to quit," you are going to lose your passion very easily. Try thinking things like, "I can do this if I work harder," or "Maybe I just need a break, and then I'll come back." Staying positive through burn-out can be tricky, but is definitely worth it in the long run.

I hope this post helps! Don't forget to subscribe and follow my Instagram @dancersofamericablog for more!