Hit the Dance Floor Whether You Want to or Not
While at a friend's wedding, I saw a girl I wanted to meet. She was on the dance floor all night (although she would say otherwise)... aka the forbidden land.
There are stereotypes you will be stuck with for life, those you cannot get rid of because of where you were born or how you look. For example, being from Panama, as a Latino, I'm supposed to have that dancing gene. False. Additionally, I was considered tall in high school, so during my elementary years, I was expected to play basketball. That was until they found out I was terrible at any game with a ball. I was the last pick on any ball-related game for years... I still am.
Then came the dancing years as a teenager. I was terrified of dancing, was not good at it, and it always brought a high level of anxiety. To be fair, now that I look back, I realize it was all mostly self-inflicted.
How to Survive the Dancing Years
Let's break this down for the non-dancers who want to have a decent social life.
- You DO NOT need to leave the party as soon as the dancing starts
- You DO NOT need to dance, but if you feel like it, maybe you should try
- Dancing is not required for future social success
- Make peace with yourself, if you really want to dance, then take a class and man up
If you genuinely don't feel like it, then own it and rock it. Grab your beer (if of age) and have a conversation with someone. Why are you in this situation in general? Maybe try some outdoor activities. Remember, there are many more terrifying things to face in life than the dance floor.
It's totally ok not to be a dancer, but maybe you have yet to meet your perfect dance partner. If you think you are not, and it happens that you meet the love of your life, then believe me, you won't want to stop dancing. As a recovering non-dancer myself, now you can often find me at home with my wife, daughter, and son, spinning around and blasting the silliest of music on any given evening.
Getting the Girl (Who Happens to be a Dancer)
While at a friend's wedding, I saw a girl I wanted to meet. She was on the dance floor all night (although she would say otherwise)... aka the forbidden land. I could have saved myself lots of dating gymnastics if I had been brave enough to ask her to dance. I did not, and yet it all worked out just fine.
We got married no more than three years after that event. On our third date, I made sure I spun her around while we were walking. When I saw the smile that filled her face, I knew I could not deprive her of the joy of a good dance. I promised myself then that we would dance at our wedding. I was mentally ready to let go of that childish fear that can take hold of many adults.
The Only Type of Dancing I Truly Despise
My fear of dancing is mostly gone since I got married; I still suck at it though. However, I enjoy it as long as I am with the right person. I am still terrified of group dancing. Line dances, electric slide, group choreography... how do people even know what to do? Did they talk beforehand at a secret meeting while excluding all of us non-dancers? I'm not sure who the evil genius was who came up with this type of dancing, but they have ruined weddings, quinceaneras, and the lives of many non-dancers like myself.
Enjoy your week and please make sure to do a random dance with someone you love!
Until the next one,
Javier
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Javier Feliú
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