New year, new goals! As we drift away from the glitter and celebration of the holidays to the confetti falling on New Year’s Day, it’s time to start planning your goals. The more you lock your goals into your mind, the easier it is to work toward them. Setting goals can be intimidating, so here is a list of jumping-off points to get inspired.
Put Yourself First
Make looking after yourself both mentally and physically a priority. Stretch to avoid injury. Journal to track and process your feelings. Finding things to incorporate into your routine that remind you that you and your well-being are important is a great resolution!
Constructive Thinking
As dancers and athletes, we are so quick to judge ourselves and critique everything. This applies to physical appearance and our dance abilities. Let’s change our perspective on that this year! Work on training your thoughts to focus on constructive criticism (and positive feedback) rather than tearing yourself apart. Think, “I just need some time to process the choreography,” instead of, “I’ll never get this dance down.”
Make a New Friend
A new year can mean new dancers coming into your class or joining your team. They can sometimes feel out of place or uncomfortable being in a new space, as we’re sure you did also at one point. It is nice to try to make them feel more welcome. And who knows? Maybe you’ll end up clicking with someone and making a new friend.
Be Okay with Taking Breaks
It is important to recharge yourself and take breaks after dancing for so long. Take time to journal your thoughts, roll out your muscles, or miss a class if you need to. Dancers are constantly putting wear and tear on their bodies and minds, so breaks are completely healthy and valid. Don’t be afraid to take some time to recharge yourself.
Dance Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Let’s try new things! From new dance styles to just listening to new types of music, little experiments can change your art and perspective. Or try shaking up your personal style. Experiment with new looks, hairstyles, and outfits!
Remember Why You Dance
Dance should always be fun and enjoyable if it is something you truly love. It can be easy to lose sight of the positives with long practices, early rehearsals, and all of the hard work you put in, but at the end of the day, you should be driven by your love of the sport. Take a step back and remember why you love dance. Talk about what you enjoy about dance, look at old dance videos, and praise yourself for your accomplishments. Nurture that spark!
