I’m a massive fan of dancing – my current favourites are Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba (if you’ve never heard of them, have a quick look on YouTube).
I’ve been dancing for about 5 or 6 years now. I’ve always enjoyed a good bop at a party but I’d never done any structured style of dance before.
I LOVE it. I mean absolutely, off the scale, flipping LOVE it.
It keeps me fit, it encourages me to meet new friends from all walks of life (it doesn’t matter if you’re a bin man or a heart surgeon on the dance floor). It allows me to dress up and it makes me VERY happy.
I used to dance 2 or 3 times a week, every week.
These styles of dance are social dances. That means you don’t just dance with one partner, you dance with multiple partners. Pretty much, all the ladies in the room will dance with all the men in the room. Most people swap partners after every song. They are very close contact dances.
It’s busy, it’s hot and it’s sweaty – the clubs are not always well-ventilated or air-conditioned. The men change their shirts 2 or 3 times in an evening because they are soaked through. They keep a little towel in their back pockets to mop their brow so they don’t drip on their ladies.
These are passionate Latin dances and the people who dance them are just as passionate. There’s a buzz in the room when you walk in and as soon as the music starts the dance floor fills and it never empties. That buzz lasts the whole night; (usually about 5 hours) until the DJ closes his laptop and goes home, then people reluctantly pack up their dance shoes and say their goodbyes.
It’s a huge passion, a major bug and for many, almost an addiction. They live for their weekend dance fix. Me included.
SO IMAGINE MY HORROR AND DISAPPOINTMENT WHEN COVID STRUCK AND ALL DANCING HAD TO STOP!
No more dancing, no more salsa socialising, no more dressing up. No more lovely Latin music. I had to hang up my dance shoes for 18 months; I was totally bereft (very sad face).
BUT on Friday night it all started again! Woohoo!
I was beyond giddy. I had my hair done, I bought a new dress and I positively skipped onto that dance floor. It was so wonderful to hear that familiar music and see all those lovely, happy faces again. I’m still buzzing now – 3 days later!
By the end of the night, did I have sore feet – yes I did, was my new dress all sweaty – yes it was, was I absolutely pooped – yes I was! Did any of it matter – not one bit! I had one of the best nights ever. My cheeks were hurting on the way home because I’d spent the whole night smiling.
I can’t say I didn’t think about COVID. I’m not sure sanitising your hands between dances makes a big difference when you’re dancing that close, and all sweating and panting on each other, but so far so good. It’s a very personal choice but my philosophy now is take every possible precaution you can, but get on with your life.
So why am I sharing all of this with you?
Because I want to stress how important passion is in your life.
A hobby that you’re passionate about can be an absolute life-saver. A mundane existence can be absolutely transformed by an exciting hobby. It doesn’t matter what that hobby is – it’s whatever floats your boat. Whatever makes you come alive. Whatever lights you up.
It could be salmon fishing or martial arts or painting or running or horse riding or photography or pottery or knitting or anything at all….
It could be something you loved as a child but stopped. Something you wanted to do as a child but couldn’t start, or something new you’ve always fancied trying but never got around to. We ALL have something that lights us up.
If you haven’t found your giddy-making passion yet, then start looking. Put some energy and effort into it. The payback will be immense. A friend of mine did the 52 challenge. She tried a different activity every week for a year! She found her passions and gave her mental health and happiness levels a massive boost in the meantime.
You’ll make new friends; they’ll be like a new family, because they’ll be as mad about your hobby as you are. I have a whole Salsa family in my phone. John Salsa, Amanda Salsa, Darren Salsa, Steven Salsa.
Some hobbies can be expensive but some are relatively cheap, so find what works for you and fits into your lifestyle and budget. Then throw yourself into it as much as you possibly can. You deserve this happiness and contentment in your life.
Interests make you interesting. They boost your confidence and self-esteem and bring more positivity, belonging and variety into your world.
So what are you waiting for? Find something that makes you giddy. Get out there again and find some fun.
Much Love,
(I’m still smiling now) Christina xx