The Highs and Lows of the Dance-O-Rama That Almost Was

Alright, here we go. Let’s get it all out in the open. 

This past weekend was supposed to be Vancouver Dance-O-Rama 2020.

We all worked really hard, and let me tell you, no one was more excited than me to get there with a 35 person team, all with our matching jackets and the energy that only Team Coquitlam can fill a room with.  The last 6 months have been filled with excitement, anticipation, hard work and new costumes.

And now here we are, stuck in our homes sitting on piles of toilet paper, feeling…well, let’s face it – pretty darn crappy.

 

And, I don’t know about you, but I’m bummed.

 

But…. there is a bright side to this sad story – a silver lining, if you will.  We may have had to miss out on the big event, but we are all already reaping the benefits from all the hard work and preparation. And after all, that’s why we did it, right?

To get better, to train harder and become the best dancers we can be. And we did it. We watched everyone who was preparing for DOR get stronger, more confident, more well-rounded as dancers.

We want every single one of you to know that.  You grew, and we are all so proud of all your accomplishments, and so grateful to you for the opportunities you gave us to grow as teachers as well.

So now the tough part – how to deal with the low we are all feeling. Well, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that you are going to hit a low after every big event, even the ones that get cancelled due to a global catastrophe.  This low is likely a bit bigger, maybe more intense because it is paired with a disappointment, but it is probably not the first and definitely not the last you will experience – what goes up must come down.

The good news is that we know what it is, and that we are all experiencing it together. The only cure is time, and it definitely helps to be able to recognize what is actually happening.

Please.

Don’t let yourself deal with a low on your own. Call your dance friends, email the studio, remember how much fun the whole thing was up until the pandemic hit, because this pandemic will be over one day and all of those things will still be there eagerly awaiting your return.

So, when the low passes (and it will), write yourself a letter that you can read the next time the low hits. This is a great way to remind yourself that the feeling does pass and the light at the end of the tunnel always reappears.

 

You did not waste your time.

Your hard work was not in vain.

Your dancing is not pointless.

And… albeit delayed, Vancouver Dance-O-Rama IS coming up, just in 2022, now,  with lots of time for you to prepare!

Throughout Arthur Murray’s long history there have been countless Dance-O-Ramas and there will be countless more for us to participate in once this is past us.

 

See you at Vancouver Dance-O-Rama 2022!  Woohoo!

 

Christy Consell – New Student Department Supervisor and Teacher Extraordinaire at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Coquitlam, British Columbia.  Christy has many years of dancing and teaching experience to share!