If you’ve cheered before you probably have some of these tendencies that other people just don’t understand...
1. Hearing a song and busting out into the dance you know for it.
Throughout your cheerleading experience, you learned countless dances, and you’ll definitely never forget them because “one more time” always meant eight more times. You’ll remember those dances forever.
2. Breaking out into random cheers or chants happens on the regular.
If someone says the right one or two words, it can bring up the memory of a cheer. You can’t not finish the cheer right? That would definitely be a crime.
3. You don’t get cold as easily as other people.
30-degree weather? Oh, you can definitely handle walking a mile in a skirt! Yes, when you cheered there was much more physical activity than just walking, but you weren’t always cheering. You’re used to being in a skirt in below-freezing weather.
4. Random phrases can trigger memories of grueling practices.
Mine would be: “Kapeish?” “Kaposh.” I can’t count how many times I’ve said that phrase after my coach yelled at us for messing up.
5. College football games make you think of the “good old days”.
It’s hard to go to a game without reminiscing. But while it’s sad that you’re not out there, once you watch them for a bit you remember why. College cheerleading is really intense!
6. People start to assume what you were like in high school when you tell them you were a cheerleader.
No, you weren’t a “popular.” You weren’t mean and you didn’t date 800 guys. Cheering wasn’t a social status for you, it was just what you loved to do.
7. You have at least 10 bows stored somewhere.
People will ask, “what are all those for?” What do you think they’re for? My unborn baby? You love each and every one of your bows and can’t bare to part with them.
8. Your makeup bag is still covered in glitter.
Okay, all of your possessions are still covered in glitter. Let me tell you, glitter does not come out. Ever.
9. You casually throw your leg up in the air on occasion.
You might not be able to get it as high anymore, but you’ve still got it. Sometimes.
10. When you sit on the ground, you always end up stretching.
And your friends look at you weird everytime you do it. It’s just second nature!
11. You are still OBSESSED with your high school team.
You always know if they won the big game, or really any game. It’s important! They’re still your team!
12. You miss your squad every day.
Cheerleading and your team made you who you are. The blood, sweat and tears were all worth it. You’d go back and do it again any day.
Cheerleading can become such a big part of a girl's life, that it's just hard to kick these habits, even years after you've quit cheering. We all miss it so much and don't mind the tiny reminders every so often.
