When I was younger I couldn't wait till I old enough to go out to the clubs, or wherever would let me dance in my fancy outfits and heels with a group of fabulous friends. I believed, based solely on what the movies told me, that I would dance the night away in a crowd of professional good looking people. When I finally got to the clubs, which were just fancy bars with sticky dance floors, a different reality set in. Here's what I discovered:

Dancing

Expectation: That there were be a large pool of people hitting the dance floor and pumping their fists in the air to exceptional club music, in which the DJ never loses the beat or plays a bad song.

Reality: If you're lucky you’ll find a bar/club/venue that has a solid group of people dancing steadily throughout the night. And you probably have to go to a city for that. But locally the scene is a little more awkward and not always as “bumpin’”. Most of the people, from what I've witnessed, huddle together around their drinks eyeing what other people are doing. It’s like watching penguins huddle together for warmth (except for the huddling in large crowds makes for bad B.O.). Every now and again on the dance floor there might be one cool kid dancing to the beat of his own drum to four or so friends trying to make the best of the DJ's poor remix. Those who are dancing tend to stay close and try to do their best around the suffocating crowd of individuals who claim, “I’m not drunk enough to dance.” Bummer.

Taking forever to get ready will totally be worth it!

Expectation: That taking 2 hours to get ready while texting your friends in a long winded group chat to see what they're wearing with ultimately be worth it when you make it to the bar or club.

Reality: It's not worth it. You'll take a handful of pics while you rush out the door and someone will be already complaining that they're hungry. When you get to the club you'll sweat all your looks off and painfully bar hop in heels you knew you shouldn't have warn, but damn they make the outfit! True you dance better in heels, but unfortunately about an hour into the night your ankles are crying and you’re forced find a bench and mope. Not to mention any “in action” pics have to be taken early in the night by nice stranger or no pics will be taken because your groups of friends in overcome with…DRAMA!

Your social media will be on point.

Expectation: Your snap stories will be amazing and your Facebook check-ins will get so many likes and people will see that you actually go out. You’re not always binge watching Netflix…

Reality: This may be true, but when you witness what it takes to make those stories and photos come to life it's actually hilarious (and a little sad). What I have witnessed is a bar full of people not sure what to do and suddenly in the corner the ring leader of a small group whips out their phone out, selfie mode on and they begin dancing and screaming at the camera. Of course moments earlier this group was doing much of nothing, but once the camera is out everybody pulls it together. 10 seconds later they post the story and go back to their lonely drink. The snap will live on in their story and make everyone think the party was just so awesome, we however know the truth.

The truth is that there are probably some awesome places to just break it down and have a good time till the sun comes up and I just haven't made it there...yet! But around this area I have found that the hype is much more exciting than the actually experience. However, it's what you make of it. So if you want to dance, put on what makes you happy, eye a cute guy or girl and own the dance floor!