Hi dancers, and welcome back to The Reel Deal! Today I will be sharing some of my top tips for breaking out of a lull in motivation. If you’re just not looking forward to going to class, working on your steps feels like too big of an undertaking, or you’re just in a bit of a slump, this post is for you! I find that this time of year in particular can be challenging. It gets dark early, it’s getting colder outside, school starts to pick up before the holidays, there’s no performances, and your Fall major competition is out of the way… it's dreary. 

But it’s times like these when keeping your motivation up is extra important. Being able to find reasons to show up and work hard, even when there isn’t anything coming up super soon, is a sign of resilience and a great mindset! More often than not, a lack of motivation comes from feeling stuck in a rut. If you can do something to break out of the routine you feel stuck in, that can help you get your motivation back. Here are 5 ideas for how to boost your mood and get your motivation back!

#1: Watch Irish Dance Documentaries! 

This is my absolute favorite way to get a motivation boost when I’m kind of hitting a wall. I find that watching other people work hard and achieve their goals encourages me to keep pushing, even in the tough times, so I can hopefully achieve my goals too! There are lots of documentaries for free on YouTube, and I’ve put links to some of my favorites below:

• The Big Jig: This documentary follows multiple dancers from across the US as they prepare for the Worlds. They all have some highs and lows, and it's a great example of how even when things don’t go exactly how we wanted, the hard work doesn’t just disappear. 

https://youtu.be/ZetC5_yvBII?si=E5gyqbzg2yGzMui0

• My Life Champion of the World: This documentary focuses on Lauren Finglas and her preparations for the Worlds. I love this one because I think she has such bright positive energy, and it's contagious! 

https://youtu.be/6qWUpQsgpM4?si=AUKdWQ7lVS_3JN0p

• Strictly Irish Dancing: This 2 part documentary follows multiple dancers from different countries as they prepare for Worlds. It also talks about the many ways to be involved with Irish dance, like costumes, show dancing, and teaching. https://youtu.be/SzIokKPc9AI?si=8M6mbPBumhejFjsJ and https://youtu.be/ob4IiIQ5sWo?si=lT2Hi5it4qW1PNAr

• Jigs and Wigs Adult Dancers: Shoutout to all the adult dancers! This documentary follows multiple adult dancers, many of whom didn’t start dancing until later in their lives, and they share their love and passion for the sport. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq-QG2GPovI&list=PLmEPMkWR3lfFK-0RpIBQVyQ9XuNh-hc9H

And of course, I can’t leave out Jig, the classic Irish dance documentary movie from 2011. You can find Jig on streaming. 

#2: Listen to a Podcast

If you want a more on-the-go version of #1, you can listen to a motivational podcast! It doesn’t even have to be Irish dance related. You could listen to an Olympic medalist share about their experiences. You could listen to a sports psychologist talk about ways to boost your motivation. Anything that might get you inspired is a great idea!

If you do want to listen to something Irish dance related, I highly recommend the Feis Fit podcast with Jeanne Weller! Here are some episodes that might get you feeling inspired:

• In this episode, Jeanne and 2 dance trainers, a psychologist, a dietician, and a physical therapist discuss some of our own personal challenges they faced as dancers, as well as how they’ve taken what they learned in their professions to improve the world of dance. 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yBLZxZTSvD7GgSpx9ng47?si=T2dkNN_eSUOZOU5D969baQ

• In this episode, you can hear all about the amazing emotional and inspiring story about how Mikaela Christensen went from being paralyzed with a 10% chance of ever walking again to dancing on the Oireachtas stage that same year. https://open.spotify.com/episode/17GgzCszWtA5yLFV0eeJSI?si=shWyI2RuSy6gVCurN1IXSQ

• Here is her perspective on how to get out of a slump! 

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6m9sdg3iPIEuOyx4hv4k1b?si=1cjjiQIvQFuv4pd_69kuFA

#3: Wear Fun Things to Class

This one might sound silly, but it can actually really give you a little boost when you’re in a slump. Swap your leggings for a cute skort, or do your hair in a fun style you don’t normally do. Anything you do to switch up your regular look will disrupt the routine that you’re feeling stuck in. It can make class feel different than usual, and just by making that little change, you can get yourself out of the day-to-day drudge. It can also give you a little confidence boost!

Another thing I like to do is wear friendship bracelets that remind me of things that make me happy so that when I’m at dance class and I’m feeling a little out of it, I can remember that feeling each time I catch a glimpse of it in the mirror. For example, I have a friendship bracelet with the same colors as my solo dress. When I wear it, it reminds me of how I feel when I wear my dress and all of the things I have achieved in my dress. Recalling those feelings of confidence and joy helps boost my mood and encourages me to keep pushing in a tough class. 

#4: Practice Old Steps

Whatever level you are, I’m sure you can think of a step or skill you haven’t practiced in a while. It could be an old trad set, one of your Bunghrads, or a treble reel step you haven’t practiced in a while. Practicing old steps can be a fun way to find some motivation. It’s still productive practice time, since you can focus on your technique and training your stamina, but it can take some of the pressure off knowing that you don’t really need to have these steps 100% perfect. 

It can also remind you of just how far you’ve come and how much you’ve improved as a dancer! There was a time when you couldn't do those old steps correctly, and now you can recall them even though you haven't danced them in a long time. That just proves how capable you are. Whatever challenges you’re currently facing, you know you’ll face them because you’ve done it before. 

#5: Strength Training

Okay, I know what you’re thinking… “Why would I want to do strength training if I’m struggling with motivation? Strength training is exhausting!” I get it. There are days when the thought of a 30 minute training session is not something that gets me excited. The hardest part is getting yourself to start. But once you’ve gotten going, it’s normally pretty easy to keep pushing through your workout to the end, and you’ll feel really good by the end of it. This is because of chemicals in your brain that affect your mood. Research has shown that your body releases chemicals called endorphins during exercise that make you more likely to feel positive and upbeat during a tough workout. It also releases other mood-enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine that can help you feel positive even a few hours after you exercise. Getting through a strength training session can boost your mood, and you can channel that positivity towards other things!

There they are- my top 5 ideas for how to boost your motivation if you’re feeling down. Remember that rest can be productive too, so make sure you rest if that’s what you need right now. When you’re ready, take the time you need to get your spark back, and remember to be gentle and patient with yourself. Get inspired, remember everything you’ve learned so far, and how many great things lie ahead. Whatever might be causing a slump, you can find a way out of it!