So the other day a friend sent me a gorgeous list of 30 things to stop doing to yourself. I absolutely love it, and while I am not going to list all 30, I may take pieces from here or there and use them in posts, like I will today.
Number 5 is to stop trying to be someone you are not. We can all relate to this. Growing up, we all wanted to have the coolest clothes, the best toys, the designer labels...and the older we get it just gets a little worse. We all try to impress, either by living beyond our means, living in the "cool" neighborhood or whatever the reason may be. Most of the time we are trying to impress people we cant even stand, or who dont care about us in any way.
What happens when we spend all of our time worrying about everyone else? Clearly, we forget to focus on ourselves. Often in dance, we spend the entire time judging others, comparing ourselves, and focusing on what we CAN'T do, instead of what we can. If you are always watching the girl with perfect turnout, and forcing yours, you're going to damange your body. But maybe you are a better jumper. or turner. And instead of improving what you are already good at, you are worried about topping that which you dont have.
Often, we look in the mirror and see what we DON'T have. We all want to be skinner, prettier, taller, different hair, whatever the case is, instead of realizing that perhaps all those years at dance gave you awesome legs. Or your arms are gorgeous from all the port de bras. You may be stronger than most. You have passion, you can express yourself. You are disciplined. You have a million qualities that make you just as good as the next person, but you dont see them.
We spend entirely too much time focusing on the negative. A negative mind does not produce a positive life. You are an amazing person and each and every thing about you is special and unique. Dont compare yourself to the person next to you, dont try and impress those who mean so little to you. As soon as you discover you are happy with yourself, others will flock to you. Who doesnt want to be around the person who is always happy and smiling? And the only way to do that is accept who you are. Focus on what you have, and not what you do not.
Be the best version of yourself. No one is perfect, but everyone is worth it. We all desrve to be loved and respected for who we are, and as soon as you realize that YOU are special, awesome, gorgeous and talented in your own right you will be a much happier person. I know growing up is hard and the struggle to fit in is often greater than wanting to be who you are. But I promise, the quicker you learn to love yourself, the quicker everyone else will and you will be a MUCH happier person.