stepping out of my comfort zone!
today i did something i’ve never tried before and out of my comfort zone!
last friday, i happened to come across a free event happening a couple blocks away from my train station. it is called social salsa, and they had a live band playing. the atmosphere was so amazing. i saw people of all ages and cultures dancing and enjoying latin music, and it was truly a beautiful sight! it actually made me tear up, because humans can be so cute 🥹 it reminded me how much i am grateful for my city, all the different cultures within it and how we can all appreciate and bond over each other’s music and dances and traditions! i’m a softy 🥹
i only caught the last 20 minutes of it but watched everyone until the end because it was such a great vibe! i noticed they had flyers so i grabbed one. apparently since august they’ve been doing this every friday and i had no idea! the flyer also promoted free dance classes called “mucho(s) estilo(s)” that was happening every wednesday since july. the last class being held was that following wednesday, and i really wanted to check it out. i let my friend know since we wanted to hang out that day anyway so we can go together!
fast forward to today, wednesday! we met up and went to the location where the class was being held. it’s actually in the middle of the street. it’s kind of hard to describe but it’s a big space in between a park and sidewalk but no cars drive there. there’s many tables and seats for people to sit, and it’s an open area where many people walk by. when the class started, there weren’t many people there yet….so there was a big section for the dancers with a small stage for the dance instructor and speakers so we could hear the music and instructor. so all the people walking by could just see and hear us! and you know when stuff like that happens, people usually crowd by to stand and watch.
i was honestly a bit anxious at this point! there wasn’t a crowd of people for me to hide in and i felt self conscious and stiff. it was hard to loosen up in the beginning. i felt nervous because of everyone who can see me. what if i don’t have rhythm or i mess up? i knew i wanted to try this out but my anxiety was making me overthink it instead of just being in the moment.
so the class starts and i’m slowly starting to feel more comfortable. the instructor was HILARIOUS and had such a great great energy that made me feel so much more relaxed! more and more people started to join and i was really getting into it! the music was good and i just felt it flowing through me. i was especially excited to learn since i’m half puerto rican. that side of my family wasn’t very involved in my upbringing so i feel robbed of learning my culture. doing things like this helps me so much to be able to embrace and learn my culture. the instructor was also puerto rican and that made me so happy!
since it was the last class being held, the instructor taught us moves from all the previous classes. we learned merengue, bachata, reggaeton, and salsa. it honestly felt sooo natural to me! it was so easy to pick up on and i’m not even sure why i was so anxious in the first place. the hour flew by so fast and i was so upset when it was over! i wanted to learn and dance even more! now i feel really inspired to learn how to dance. i would love to take a latin dance class especially to learn with a partner because i always admired it. my boyfriend is also latino and it would be so great to learn for future family events. honestly, i feel like going to those events in the first place made me more used to and comfortable with that style of dancing. they are open to dancing with me and teaching me too but i also felt so self conscious in the back of my mind even though i wanted them to show me so bad!
overall, i feel like this experience taught me that the only thing stopping me is myself! i had so much fun and i feel like i danced really well. the idea of taking a dance class with a bunch of strangers in public where even more strangers can see me really scared me, but in reality it wasn’t a scary thing at all. it also showed me how good it feels to carry yourself with confidence, even when you’re new at something. it doesn’t feel good when you’re talking yourself down and doubting your abilities, it definitely hinders you and the things you are able to do. i hope in the future i can remember how this made me feel and feel less nervous about trying new things and putting myself out there!!
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#lemon8partner #lemon8diary #nyc #nycdayinmylife #dayinmylife #confidence #embracevulnerability #unfiltered #comfortzone #insecurities
Dancing is a rich expression of culture and identity that connects communities. Engaging in activities like salsa not only enhances physical health but also fosters emotional well-being. Many people, like me, face challenges when stepping into new environments, especially public performances. However, dance classes such as these can be transformative experiences, helping individuals conquer their fears of judgment and learn to find joy in movement. The growing popularity of Latin dance reflects a broader trend of cultural appreciation and fusion, where rhythms from various backgrounds come together. As urban spaces become melting pots of diversity, participating in communal events like social salsa can be a potent way to celebrate and honor one’s heritage. Whether you're an experienced dancer or a beginner, the vibrant atmosphere of public dance can inspire confidence in self-expression and enhance social connections among participants. So, whether you leap at the chance to dance or hesitate at first, remember that every step taken out of your comfort zone can lead to discovering your true self!
