We miss our daily routine, the high of performing, standing next to your friends at the barre, the freedom of moving through space without hitting the furniture…but we are doing our part by staying home. Be aware of the impact of this pandemic in people’s lives.
I stay at home and feel grateful for all the people out there working day and night to keep us safe. I feel for others that are sick and for their families. It is hard not to worry or be overcome with sadness sometimes.
My personal journey is a little different since a month prior to lockdown I was working though an injury with an ankle fracture. So in some way I already had gone through the sadness of not dancing to my fullest and performing, but also of not being able to walk everywhere I wanted, because of being in pain. The thing is, it’s not easy, and some days are going to be hard.
I am also appreciating the gift of time. Time to discover who I am outside of dance and time to connect with other interests and passions. Also being back at home with my family for such a long time and being able to relax.
In my spare time I have been educating myself on the Black Lives Matter movement, trying my hardest to become more environmentally friendly and focussing on myself and my own mental health.
"What if 2020 isn't cancelled? What if 2020 is the year we've been waiting for? A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw - that it finally forces us to grow. A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber. A year we finally accept the need for change. Declare change. Work for change. Become the change. A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other further apart. 2020 isn't cancelled, but rather the most important year of them all." - Leslie Dwight
For me I'm missing out on my training, not being able to get in for my operation is frustrating but I appreciate why it's taking so long. However by people not following the social distancing rules that are in place it is making this process so much slower.
It really saddens me to see that the government isn't taking into account that performers are not getting paid to work and use studios yet people are allowed to go to the pub and socialise. As the West End goes dark and performances are canceled across the country it's a scary and uncertain time.
However, I look through my feed and see our art form still alive and expressing itself in the form of online content, taking creative forms it never had before.
For those people who don't appreciate the arts just try this: No TV, No Radio, No Music, No Theatre, No Movies, No Gaming, No Soaps, No Fashion, No Art. Now tell us the arts aren't important.
Lastly, I wanted to finish by saying that, if you are like me, you might just be feeling like you are not helping and contributing enough. Calling friends or family, checking on your neighbours, posting creative content for people to watch at home…all of those things bring positivity into people’s lives and we shouldn’t underestimate their effect.
So let’s keep giving, let’s keep moving, let’s keep connecting with ourselves and others and let’s keep learning.
A big virtual hug to you all.