seeking purpose through the process

I don't wanna be the one

To tell you how it's gotta be

Livin' is the only way

You're ever really gonna see

as i awkwardly try to make friends with other peeps in my dance classes

(note 1: i literally walk up to people who aren't on their phones and ask if they are famous dance influencers LOL)

i am continually asked back a simple question: why do you take dance classes?

(note 2: i'm always taken aback when people ask me my name, or a deep question as like the third sentence i exchange with them. idk man maybe dancers are a different breed)

normal responses:

• i want to learn new dance moves
• i learn better in person with others
• i like meeting new people
• its great excercise
• its fun (the love of the game)

my response:

"i wanna get better, but i dont think thats a good enough reason"

when discussing this with one of my dance teachers whom i look up to and admire, he told me something i didn't expect

"i actually dont go to many in-person classes, it's not the best for learning"

"so how do you get better then?"

his example one - watch the same video many times and learn new things each time

• step 1: learn the moves
• step 2: sync the timing (counts)
• step 3: clean up the moves (texture)
• step 4: watch the facial expressions
• step 5: find your style (performance)

i looked back at my dance teacher with a sort of blank expression, because even though all the things he said made sense, they are things are haven't even considered this early on in my dance career

at the end of our convo, my dance teacher left me with one more thing to chew on

"as long as you keep at it, you will eventually find your reason"