This year has been pure havoc…amiright? Everything…and I mean EVERYTHING…has been affected in our lives. We have all had a lesson in flexibility and patience and fortitude…I could go on. But, for me, there has been a shining light that has kept me steady many-a-day through these “unprecedented times:” my Dance Schedule.

I have been lucky enough to have a safe haven at Red Door Dance Academy during the last 11 months that has been key in keeping me from going over the edge at least half a dozen times. In a world that changes constantly, sometimes several times a day, my schedule at work with all my dancer babies has anchored me. 

I truly believe that my mental health has benefitted from having my daily rituals for teaching and movement to keep me accountable, organized and happy.  Humans crave schedules and community. 

We all need people that depend on us to show up-especially during covid (I refuse to capitalize it because it doesn’t deserve it) when literally nothing is certain but uncertainty.  Red Door has risen to the challenge by keeping us on a routine and building a thriving community of #reddoorstrong families that depend on each other for our mental health.  

Knowing that I have somewhere to be at a certain time with a group of kids, on Zoom at first, and now in person, has been my metaphorical helmet that protects me against crashing into the chaos that covid creates. Yes, some days are hard-really hard-but I know I will feel better once I log in/walk in for classes and talk to my dance students and I always do.

We get to share this experience and help each other through it. And my dancers definitely do help ME through it because they expect me to be in classes WITH them! 

That has been the greatest gift I could ever have hoped for in a situation I never imagined would be reality. Reliability. Community. Family. Thank you to all my Red Door Family for getting me through this insanity!