A Time to Continue “Loading”

I have not been inspired to write a blog post recently as I feel like I am in a constant “loading” phase of trying to figure out what to write about next. My work and life have felt a little like this too. Being a creative person, it can be challenging to be inspired all of the time. Usually to find inspiration I watch dance videos, go see a show, or work on a different creative outlet. I have been doing all of those things, but still feel like I am “loading” or “pending” while waiting for the right inspiration to hit.

Sometimes the best way to get through is to fake it until you make it. Other times it is good to walk away and take a break for a while and come back to it in a day or two. Any yet other times you find a way to push through until what you are working on works itself out. Looking back at why you started the project of the history behind the subject you are teaching may help spark your interest in learning more

Not all creative outlets turn out well when you fake them; however, it can be fun to learn a new skill or start a new hobby. For a few years I learned one new thing each month. This year I am trying to do one fun thing each week. This week is the most lame in that getting a car wash is my “fun thing,” but my car really needed it, and the line takes an hour so it is a commitment to get it done. I took a book, bought some cookies and a coffee and the hour went by quickly. Other fun weeks have included time with family or friends, seeing SIX the Musical by myself, and going to the local outlet mall. Making time for fun things has been important to help me stay positive during this cold winter season.

Taking a break from being creative is not very easy to do when your job calls for it every day. I took one week to not add anything new, and to not write in hopes that it would help things come naturally or if not at all it was okay to have a review week. I am glad that I did. It is usually easily noticed when dance steps are forced, and writing does not turn out as well as it could. I have been focusing on making sure my living space is clear as sometimes when my space is cluttered so is my mind. Clearing up the space somehow clears up the mind.

One thing that I have learned is that it is important to take off when you are given time off. I have a quite a few working weekends coming up, so I am making the most of the time that I have off. I could be using my time off to work on work, but I do my best to limit it to an hour or two, or just let me thoughts become lists of things to do when I am working. Often times these ideas or thoughts come while I am driving, out for a walk, or any random time something related to what needs to be done comes up and brings it up.

I have been a ballet teacher for 8 years now, and I had no idea that it started in Italy in the 1400s. Later in the 1500s it became popular in the French courts as a form of entertainment for the royals. It wasn’t until the 1600s that females entered the ballet world. In the 1800s is when it spread beyond Europe and into Russia. During the 1800s the ballets including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty were choreographed. My mind was blown that after all of these years of teaching beyond the years I danced ballet that I had never thought to look up the history before now. I am using my new found information to spread awareness into why ballet is important for our dancers to continue to learn today. Even though I may be excited about this new information, I am not always successful in getting my dancers equally as excited as I am about Ballet. Learning more about how it started has helped remind me of the importance of what I get to teach every week.

During different seasons of life you will find that the “loading” phase is a unique length of time. From one season to the next it will not be the same as each season brings in something new while leaving something else behind. The best thing to do is to take it one day at a time. Wishing the time away is only going to make you miss it when it is here. Our busy schedules need to allow for time to rest, time to eat, time to work, and time for fun. When you miss any of those or do too much or too little of one or the other you loose your balance. Take the time to check in with yourself as you progress. You may notice that you are still in the “loading” phase, or you might be well past it. I feel like I am about 94% loaded, and almost back to being inspired, but I am stuck ticking 1% at a time as I try one thing after the next to get back to being the creative person I enjoy being. Perhaps I am closer to getting back than I give myself credit for as I have written this post. Maybe you can say the same for yourself with whatever you are currently “loading” for.

“May you approach this season with gratitude and a deeply rooted hope that every day will teach you something that is an integral part of your growth.” – MHN

“Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway.” – unknown

“Overthinking will destroy your happiness and your mood. It’ll make everything worse than it actually is. Take a deep breath, exhale and have faith. What’s meant to be will be. – unknown