As a kid, I wanted to be someone as graceful and as beautiful as a ballerina. So when my mom was willing to sign me up for dance lessons, I was beyond excited to take my first lesson in third grade. For the next three or four years, I developed a passion for dance — so much so that I wanted to be a dancer for the rest of my life. However, due to family-related reasons, I had to put dance on a hiatus for a year. I played a year of catch-ups when I returned, but soon, I had to abruptly leave again. Though I may no longer be with my friends at the barre anymore, I've realized multiple key things about dance that I have never noticed before.

1. You sacrifice a huge chunk of your time.

When I first left the studio, I was shocked at all the spare time I had. I didn't know what to do with all this time, and I was constantly bored. From dancing every day to not dancing at all, I gained six more hours per week (and that was me taking minimum classes required at a company level). I know people who take around eight classes a week, and the studio is practically their home. Now, it's sort of hard to imagine how to balance schoolwork, extracurriculars and work on a tight schedule.

2. Dancing requires much physical exertion.

When I was in dance class, we worked on combinations and techniques until we felt the burn in our muscles, and we would be sore the next day (and possibly the days afterward). I would be drenched in sweat at the end of class, and my glasses would be fogged up by the hot breath. It wasn't until I stopped dancing when I realized that my daily exercise comes from dance classes. I gained a little weight, and my muscles weren't as strong as before.

3. Perseverance is key.

I didn't realize what working for something truly was until I had to do it myself. To be honest, it took me a couple of years to realize that if I wanted something, I had to fight for it. Whether it was to stretch a bit longer every night or to practice turns at home, everything required the initiative to improve. The process would seem so long and frustrating, but I would be so determined that it didn't even matter.

4. Injuries don't exist.

I've witnessed people get injured from dance. It's insane how people are still able to dance and smile through concussions and sprained ankles. I've seen bloody feet, fallen toenails and swollen feet. I've fallen more times than I could count, whether it was from preparing for a jump or just from slipping on the floor. Pointe shoes were a pain, and I'm sure my toenails would never look the same ever again. I barely made it through class back then, and I still don't know how people are able to do it now.

5. You have to be dedicated.

Dance requires so much time, so much energy and so much diligence. You really have to be passionate and dedicated to dance in order to go through this entire process. Once you set your mind on something, you do whatever it takes to improve. After all, what's the point of doing something if you don't care for it?

6. The end result is always rewarding.

When I danced, it was rewarding to accomplish the little things, such as nailing a turn. As an ex-dancer and an audience member, I browsed through dance videos and went to recitals, and it was inspiring to see everyone's hard work pay off. You could tell by their confidence radiating onstage, and it immediately drew you in.

7. You make lasting friendships.

I left the studio twice, and both times I experienced a separation and drift from everyone else. Although a part of it was due to me being an introvert at the time, time can cut friendships off or make people drift apart. On the other hand, I witnessed others bond closer and closer. I believe it's wonderful that people find friends who share the same interests and will support you through your journey. It's mind-blowing to see all the time and effort dancers put into their movements and flow.

Blood, sweat and tears. From an outsider's perspective, dancers make it all look easy. But if I hadn't known any better, I would've brushed off all their efforts off. The end result is what we all see, but we don't realize everything prior to that. Dance isn't often treated as serious as other things, so before you make a remark on dance, walk a mile in the dancer's shoes.