“It’s strange to have so much passion and knowledge about something that I don’t put to use as much as I used to... And now, that knowledge - that wonders, that fascination - it sits in me. It’s never dead but it’s often dormant, waiting patiently to be reactivated.”
I was thinking about this SO much this week in relation to guitar (maybe to a lesser skill extent, but still). I’ve always found it fascinating that so many of us learn to devote ourselves to an activity throughout growing up, but then you hit 18 and it just... stops? And you suddenly have to figure out for yourself what’s next and/or what value this thing holds for you at large, whether it stays or drifts away. Anyways, knocked of out of the park, as usual!
Exactly, I really feel like it’s why so many ppl feel so lost in young adulthood - we’re not as encouraged to keep those pastimes alive, or we just feel like we don’t have the time too. It feels so good to do something just for the sake of it or to follow a line of curiosity and see how far it can take you. Thank you for reading :D!
I cannot express how grateful I am that I just found your publication today. I’ve been feeling very out of sorts about my own project. I both dance and write, and have been struggling a lot with feeling like I have to choose one topic. Anyway, thank you for sharing this experience. I started dancing as an adult, far too late to consider making it into a career, I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and can relate to much of what you’ve described here ❤️.
Wow!!! This is inspiring me to take some ballet classes years and years after giving it up. My splits would be so high and my legs would be so low but is that really what matters!?
It doesn't matter at all, I'd encourage you to give it a try :D!! My feelings about my own shortcomings in dance are vastly different than my feelings about them as a kid, I'd imagine you might feel the same. It's been so freeing returning to it. Thank you for reading, I'm glad you got something out of it <3!
This reminded me of the heartbreaking spectacle of my son putting everything he had into baseball, and then spending seasons on the bench. I found myself wondering how that was good for him, or for anyone. The message was, we have to win. So if you’re not the best, you don’t get to play at all.
The happy ending is that he applied his obsessive dedication to music, all of a sudden, and now he grows with leaps and bounds in that field. A similar thing happens with you, I think, as your writing has elements of dance in it. There are so many of us inspired on a regular basis by what you’re doing here. I’m sure it would be a gas to watch you dance, but watching you get that feeling into your prose is one of the healthy parts of my media diet. It’s sorely needed.
Wow Karl, this is one of the most touching comments I’ve received 🥹 I’m so glad to hear that your son has found joy and fulfillment in music. I do find myself drawn to dance and writing for similar reasons, and am so glad I get to do both every week. I think you’re right: the passion I have for dance hasn’t necessarily dwindled but just spread to different realms. I’m happy to do what I do :)
“I feel gratified knowing that I’ve been able to love something for so long, not for its ability to bestow me with financial or social capital, but for it giving me the chance to play, be mindful, and practice artistry.” - Reading this brings me so much hope and peace for the future as being a younger dancer. I think that this is so beautiful and this writing touched me in so many ways. You truly have such a gift thank you for sharing this💓💓💓
“My love for dance devastates me and invigorates me in the same breath, but as long as I love it, I will continue to do it.“ - sooooo good Madison. 🩵🩵🩵
I love this. There are so many beliefs that get instilled in us while we’re young about art and work and they’re bullpoop. Can we someday be good enough? Can we achieve our goals? Can we make it? But what does any of that really mean? Who determines our ‘success’? As far as I can tell, it’s all nonsense.
So many questions I’ve asked myself! As long as I’m still loving dance and still continuing to dance, I consider it success :)! Thank you for reading Carl.
“It’s strange to have so much passion and knowledge about something that I don’t put to use as much as I used to... And now, that knowledge - that wonders, that fascination - it sits in me. It’s never dead but it’s often dormant, waiting patiently to be reactivated.”
I was thinking about this SO much this week in relation to guitar (maybe to a lesser skill extent, but still). I’ve always found it fascinating that so many of us learn to devote ourselves to an activity throughout growing up, but then you hit 18 and it just... stops? And you suddenly have to figure out for yourself what’s next and/or what value this thing holds for you at large, whether it stays or drifts away. Anyways, knocked of out of the park, as usual!
Exactly, I really feel like it’s why so many ppl feel so lost in young adulthood - we’re not as encouraged to keep those pastimes alive, or we just feel like we don’t have the time too. It feels so good to do something just for the sake of it or to follow a line of curiosity and see how far it can take you. Thank you for reading :D!
I cannot express how grateful I am that I just found your publication today. I’ve been feeling very out of sorts about my own project. I both dance and write, and have been struggling a lot with feeling like I have to choose one topic. Anyway, thank you for sharing this experience. I started dancing as an adult, far too late to consider making it into a career, I’ve always wanted to be a writer, and can relate to much of what you’ve described here ❤️.
This comment just made my day Elsa :) it’s never too late to find a new passion and no reason we should have to choose just one!!
Wow!!! This is inspiring me to take some ballet classes years and years after giving it up. My splits would be so high and my legs would be so low but is that really what matters!?
It doesn't matter at all, I'd encourage you to give it a try :D!! My feelings about my own shortcomings in dance are vastly different than my feelings about them as a kid, I'd imagine you might feel the same. It's been so freeing returning to it. Thank you for reading, I'm glad you got something out of it <3!
This reminded me of the heartbreaking spectacle of my son putting everything he had into baseball, and then spending seasons on the bench. I found myself wondering how that was good for him, or for anyone. The message was, we have to win. So if you’re not the best, you don’t get to play at all.
The happy ending is that he applied his obsessive dedication to music, all of a sudden, and now he grows with leaps and bounds in that field. A similar thing happens with you, I think, as your writing has elements of dance in it. There are so many of us inspired on a regular basis by what you’re doing here. I’m sure it would be a gas to watch you dance, but watching you get that feeling into your prose is one of the healthy parts of my media diet. It’s sorely needed.
Wow Karl, this is one of the most touching comments I’ve received 🥹 I’m so glad to hear that your son has found joy and fulfillment in music. I do find myself drawn to dance and writing for similar reasons, and am so glad I get to do both every week. I think you’re right: the passion I have for dance hasn’t necessarily dwindled but just spread to different realms. I’m happy to do what I do :)
“I feel gratified knowing that I’ve been able to love something for so long, not for its ability to bestow me with financial or social capital, but for it giving me the chance to play, be mindful, and practice artistry.” - Reading this brings me so much hope and peace for the future as being a younger dancer. I think that this is so beautiful and this writing touched me in so many ways. You truly have such a gift thank you for sharing this💓💓💓
Awww thank you so much Lily! Your future is bright, I’ve found there’s so ways to incorporate dance into your life 🩰 Hope you’re well!
“My love for dance devastates me and invigorates me in the same breath, but as long as I love it, I will continue to do it.“ - sooooo good Madison. 🩵🩵🩵
Thank you Sam :)) forever grateful for the giant role you play in my dance journey and life 🩷
worded so well! you’ve inspired me to write about my piano journey
Ah thank you so much! I can’t wait to read it :)
Beautiful reflection of how dance has shaped you into who you are today !
Thank you ❤️
Amen
I love this. There are so many beliefs that get instilled in us while we’re young about art and work and they’re bullpoop. Can we someday be good enough? Can we achieve our goals? Can we make it? But what does any of that really mean? Who determines our ‘success’? As far as I can tell, it’s all nonsense.
So many questions I’ve asked myself! As long as I’m still loving dance and still continuing to dance, I consider it success :)! Thank you for reading Carl.