Finding Your Why — Especially When It Feels Hard to Show Up
When the season feels heavy and burnout hits, both dancers and coaches can lose sight of their “why.” This post is a reminder that showing up — even on the hard days, matters. Sometimes the most meaningful growth happens when we pause, reset, and reconnect with why we love to dance.
This last week was a tough one. My family was dealing with some unexpected health challenges, and after several days in the hospital with little to no sleep, I had to go straight into teaching. I didn’t have the energy to create something new or push through a high-intensity class, so instead, I decided to be honest with my dancers.
I shared that it had been a hard week — that I was tired and not at my best but that I still showed up because my why is them. Then, I asked each dancer to write down their own why on a notecard. We spent the rest of class doing structured improv, no feedback, no corrections, just movement, expression, and freedom. It reminded me that some of the most powerful classes happen when we step back and give space for authenticity — both for ourselves and our dancers.
The Mid-Season Burnout
This time of year, burnout is real. Dancers are juggling school, practices, performances, jobs, and life outside the studio. Coaches are balancing their own schedules, responsibilities, and the pressure of leading a team. Everyone is running on empty — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It’s easy to get caught in the cycle of constant improvement and productivity, but not every day needs to be about perfecting routines or drilling technique. Sometimes, the most impactful thing we can do is pause.
Give your dancers (and yourself) the space to reconnect with why you started in the first place. To remember that dance isn’t just about execution — it’s about connection, creativity, and expression.
Showing Up Anyway
Showing up doesn’t always mean being your best. Sometimes it means being real, honest, and present — even when it’s hard.
The truth is, everyone has those days when it’s difficult to show up. But choosing to be there to teach, to dance, to listen — matters more than we realize. It reminds us that this community, this art form, and this passion still have purpose even on the hardest days.
So whether you’re a dancer finding your way through a tough season or a coach guiding others through one, take this as a reminder: you’re allowed to slow down. You’re allowed to reset. And you’re allowed to come back to your why.
Because sometimes, showing up, even when it’s hard, is exactly what brings you back to what you love most.