18 years of my life have been dedicated to my passion for dance, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. Dance has given me some of my best friends, taught me so many valuable life lessons, and helped me gain a strong sense of determination.
If you've ever been a dancer at some point in your life, there are some simple truths that every dancer knows:
1. Every joint in your body will crack for the rest of your life.
2. You mentally create choreography to any song you hear.
3. Your dance friends are more family than anything.
4. You've had dreams where something has happened at a recital or competition that haunts you forever.
5. The way your body works is not like a normal person, and it freaks a lot of people out.
6. Something will always hurt or be sore.
7. You know the phrase "one more time" never means once more.
8. You always find yourself counting off as "5, 6, 7, 8" even when you're not at dance.
9. Everyone is always asking what kind of dance you do.
10. You naturally will stand in first position and not even realize it until somebody else points it out.
11. You can never make plans at night because you have dance.
12. Some teachers you absolutely love, and some teachers are absolute drill sergeants who will make you question everything you ever do.
13. Dance is a sport. Anyone who wants to argue against that point is invalid.
14. There is nothing more exciting than mastering a technique or trick that you've been working so hard on.
15. Flexibility is both a blessing and a curse.
16. Your parents always yelled at you for dancing down the grocery store aisles.
17. Wearing tights no longer feels like an article of clothing, but second skin.
18. Hearing a song you did a number to in the past either causes major PTSD or you to break out into the old choreography.
19. You can change outfits in seconds thanks to many stressful years of ridiculous quick changes.
20. Explaining dance moves to your non-dancer friends is like trying to teach a toddler how to walk.
21. Hearing a song at a party and loudly exclaiming, "I once did a dance to this!"
22. No matter how old you are or how long it's been since you've last danced, dancing will always be your greatest passion and you wouldn't give back your time dancing for the world.