There is More to You Than Just Ballet

When you commit to taking multiple ballet classes a day, dance can easily become everything — your passion, your community, your schedule, even your identity. It’s how you express yourself, how you cope, how you shine. When something becomes your entire life, it’s easy to start believing that your identity and worth are tied to your ability to dance. But the truth is, you are more than dance. You have so much to offer beyond your technique. You are more than your pliés, pirouettes, or perfect form.

It’s important to step back and remember that your identity isn’t defined by how well you performed or how you did in class. There’s so much more that makes you who you are — and these things are just as important to your success in ballet. The way you care for people, your sense of humor, your creativity, your empathy — these qualities shine both inside and outside of the studio. They shape the kind of artist and human being you are, whether or not you’re dancing.

Here’s something practical you can do with that truth: start intentionally expanding your world. Spend time with people who don’t dance. Personally, I try to hang out with my non-dance friends at least once a week. Go to events that have nothing to do with ballet or performance — art shows, hikes, trivia nights, book clubs, anything that interests you. It’s not a betrayal of your passion; it’s an investment in your wholeness. And ironically, the more grounded you are in who you are beyond dance, the more freedom and joy you’ll often find when you return to it.