Being a dancer is a lifestyle. And while some may not consider dance to be a sport, it is equally exhausting, challenging, and time-consuming as being on a competitive sports team. As an Irish Dancer in particular, there are certain struggles that accompany the lifestyle that only fellow Irish Dancers truly understand. While some of these things may sound absurd to others, for us it is completely normal.

1. Having to glue your socks to your body so they don’t fall down

2. When your foot gets caught on a click and you slice your ankle

3. Missing out on high school social events to attend competitions or practice

4. Having tons of blisters, but being forced to dance through the pain

5. Losing toenails on a weekly basis is considered normal

6. Buying wide-calf boots because your calf muscles are the biggest part of your body

7. Wearing a wig

8. Being asked if you like to “Riverdance”

9. Knowing at least five Meghans and four Claires, all with different spellings of the name

10. Breaking in new hardshoes is the biggest struggle

11. Getting yelled at, at home or in school, for tapping your feet under your desk or dinner table

12. Having more Irish music in your iTunes library than any other genre

Irish Dance has taught me how to manage my time and my goals, and how to test the limits of my mind and body. I’ve lost and won, been hurt and discouraged both physically and mentally, and these experiences only inspire me to work harder. The friendships you create with fellow Irish Dancers are unlike any other; we can bond over the absurdity of the things we do and understand because it is something we are all so passionate about. For that reason, your dance friends are your friends for life!