Permission to Dance
🌊 Giving ourselves permission to be young, light, free
Hi friend!
Have you ever wondered if you could still do something you used to enjoy as a kid? 😁
Something you really loved but for some reason stopped doing?
Lately, I have been thinking about how much I miss dancing.
Shout out to my parents, who started me in dance when I was 3. My mom would take me to a local dance studio where I first took tap and ballet, but soon moved into jazz.
I liked being part of a dance class. Dancing with my classmates, doing the stretches and warm ups, and learning routines. I also really loved recitals. Getting to dress in my shiny new costume, wear makeup that I never wore any other time, and have my hair done just right.
When it finally came to performing our routine on an actual stage with a live audience, it was like icing and candles on the cake! 🎂
Our family moved across the country when I was 16. As difficult as that transition was, one of the things I am most sad about is that I didn’t continue dancing. The light I once felt when performing on a stage was snuffed out by insecurity, low self-esteem, and just wanting to blend in with the crowd.
Fast forward to when my husband encouraged my oldest daughter and me to audition with him for a musical with our local community theater. (You can listen to my audition story in my interview with Jeremy Lynch here in episode 11 ). That is where I met several new friends, one of whom is a dancer and has her own home studio. Could I really dance again? I wondered.
The answer is: YES! It is never too late.
Finding my own path to wellness recovery has looked like uncovering the things I actually love and enjoy. Finding ways to have more of that in my life. Allowing myself to be youthful and giggle out loud.
Giving myself permission to dance.
👆One of my favorite bands, BTS, performing their song, “Permission to Dance”.👆
What might you need to give yourself permission to do, friend? What is that thing that when you think about doing it, you get butterflies or that nervous-excited feeling?
Another one of those things for me was starting a podcast! And now, I have that feeling each week as I release a new episode. Speaking of new episodes, if you are curious about what it looks like to discover our own path to wellness recovery, check out this week’s conversation I had with two of my besties and supporters of my wellness plan.
Listen in 👉 18 | Discovering Your Own Path to Wellness Recovery with Special Guests Amanda Cady & Amanda Morrison (Part 1)
Pause
Breathe
Become aware
Check in and Reflection Questions: ✍️
Have you experienced an invitation to be your authentic self in a relationship or community? What has that been like for you?
Are you longing for a safe space to be your authentic self?
What did you discover about yourself or your own path to wellness recovery in today’s conversation?
Want to share your reflection with me?
Reply to this email and your words will come directly to me.
Want to share your reflection with the community?
Leave a comment. 🫶
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Just a reminder: I am a Certified Peer Counselor and Wellness Recovery Coach. I use my own lived experience of mental health and wellness recovery to walk alongside others in their recovery. I am not a medical doctor or clinical counselor. I do not attempt to diagnose or prescribe. If you or a loved one needs immediate care, please seek out your nearest health care provider or call 911.
Also be aware that anytime we are talking about mental health, any number of topics could trigger our emotions. Please take precautions while listening and seek out support if needed.
I love this so much!!!