As horrible as this year must have been, we should be thankful for it has taught us plenty of lessons. The year 2020 forced us to reevaluate our plans and dreams.
2020 showed us who our real friends are and who is willing to give up on us when we need them the most. This year a lot of partnerships have ended, and others have formed. Some have quit dancing, while others have started new & exciting projects.
I summed up what I think are the most important things that 2020 showed to us.
1. We Love Competitions
As a competitive dancer, preparing and going to competitions is your main activity and this year showed us that we might take them for granted.
This year I saw how much all dancers, from beginners to dance legends, suffered that they couldn't attend competitions such as the Blackpool Dance Festival, German Open, and many other competitions that hold a special spot in each dancer's heart.
This year we missed all the fuss and excitement that surrounds a big event. We missed people that we see maybe just once a year at that certain comp and we certainly missed being on and off the dance floor.
2. How Addicted To Dancing We Really Are
Ok, at first, it was quite nice. Everyone thought, "Oh, I can finally have a well-deserved break now".
But we soon realized that we could not live without dancing. We all started dancing around the house, we reorganized our living rooms in mini dance studios, and we used our walls as partners.
Some of us who gave up dancing a while ago know how difficult it is to stop. But for those who were in full ascension, I imagine this forced pause felt even worse.
Nevertheless, dancers are not easily broken down. Many of you practiced in your homes and used this time to learn new things about dancing. Some of you listened to interviews or perfected specific dancing skills such as elasticity.
3. Online Education Is Important
Because we are on this topic, we realized how crucial online teaching resources really are during this pandemic.
Many dancers couldn't see their teachers, and this is how online classes came into play. Either if you prefer pre-recorded courses as we offer on Dancesportlife Academy, or live classes, you cannot deny that this is what kept dancers growing during 2020.
4. How Attached To Our Dance Family We Really Are
The connection between partners is something very difficult to put into words. It is that type of fondness that is hard to explain. In 2020 we didn't only miss dancing. We also missed what goes hand in hand with dancesport - our partners. The connection between the two partners is one of the most beautiful aspects of dancesport.
Besides our partners, we missed our teachers. There is nothing like a good lesson with our favorite teacher. We missed that type of lesson in which you get those "Aha!" moments when everything clicks.
5. To Be More United
All in all, I think the most important lesson this year taught us that we need to be more united. Many dancers came together to create beautiful online projects this year. We've watched fascinating discussions between dancers that otherwise might have never seen together. I think we should always remember that the most important thing is never to lose our humanity & kindness.
