It’s easy to feel like your whole world is dance. From the daily practices to competitions to simply feeling sore and tired. Sometimes this can make you wonder what to do if you have friends who don’t dance. Just because someone doesn’t share the same passion as you, doesn’t mean you can’t share a connection with them. Here is a guide on keeping that close connection with the friends you might not share the same passion with.
Share your Life
Just because they don’t share the same love for dance, that doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be interested in seeing you explore your passion. Invite your friends to a competition or recital so they can see the payoff for your hard work, or if your dance studio has a “bring a friend to class day,” bring them along! Bringing your friends into your world is a fun way to connect with them and show them your life.
Find Common Interests
Find common ground with your besties. If you are unsure where you interests overlap, talk about things with a widespread of genres and styles such as fashion, books, or movies. Music is also a great place to start! You will each have unique perspectives, including yours as a dancer, on artists, lyrics, and the experience of listening to music. This also opens you up to a new realm of activities, like going to concerts and sharing playlists and favorite artists.
Show Up
You want your friends to be there to celebrate your big moments, and it is important to do the same for them. Showing interest in the things that they enjoy shows your friends you care about every piece of them, not just the parts that you directly participate in. Show up to their games or performances, or sit down and ask them questions about what they do. A little bit of acknowledgment can go a long way when it comes to friendship!
Plan Time to Spend Together
Not everything has to revolve around your hobbies. Getting to know someone can be just as meaningful. Plan a fun activity such as a simple craft, getting your favorite drink or dessert, or shopping. These activities help remind you all that your friendship goes far beyond your hobbies.
Trust in your Friendships
The best and most important friendships are built upon mutual respect, genuine love, and understanding. A true friend will be understanding and supportive of your passions, regardless if they share them or not. Nurture those relationships, and trust friends that do the same. One-sided friendships fizzle, and that’s okay.
