Burnout

[MadamSamba]

Hmmm...one of my friends is suffering a serious case of burnout @ the moment. She's stopped private lessons, hasn't been to a social in weeks and refuses to come dancing on weekends or weeknights.

Until her break she used to dance five times each week and was glad to dance at any social opportunity between the five group/private lessons. She loves dancing, but every few months she goes through this, "I think I'm going to quit dancing" phase and stops for a few weeks.

I know it happens and I went through something similar recently, but what are your thoughts on burnout? How often do you suffer from it (if indeed you do) and does returning (I'm assuming you return) feel better? Also, how long do your "burnout breaks" last?

 

[Salsero_AT]

It sounds that she went dancing almost everyday before she stopped. Maybe one should try even when dancing is the most important thing to use 2 or 3 evenings per week to do something different or to have an relaxing evening at home so that dancing does not loose what is so special about it.

 

[Marvellous]

It sounds that she went dancing almost everyday before she stopped. Maybe one should try even when dancing is the most important thing to use 2 or 3 evenings per week to do something different or to have an relaxing evening at home so that dancing does not loose what is so special about it.

I didn't think burn-out was possible for an addict.

Honestly, from my personal experience, and from peolpe I know, if people feel tired of the whole thing and quit coming around for a while, or something like that, it is actually NOT the dancing, it is something else in their lives.....

 

[pygmalion]

I have suffered dance burnout. In fact, when I joined dance-forums, I was seriously considering quitting the whole thing. One week of DF changed my mind. :lol:

And, for me, it was just the dancing -- the constant striving but feeling slow success. The money. The time. The sacrifice of so many other activities. Questioning my own priorities. And on and on.

In the past, I've managed to avoid burnout by scheduling dance downtime -- a week off here or there, especially after a big event. And I've also scheduled dance dessert -- a lesson here or there to just dance and not worry about work or technique at all.

Incidentally, almost every dance bulletin board I've seen (and that's a LOT of bulletin boards :lol: :lol: ) has a similar topic, so it must be fairly common.

 

[peachexploration]

In the past, I've managed to avoid burnout by scheduling dance downtime.......

Yeah, I do this also. Even if it means taking a month off or so (Which I'm doing now). Like pygmalion says, it's fairly common.

 

[Sagitta]

I've also scheduled dance dessert -- a lesson here or there to just dance and not worry about work or technique at all.

That's what the easy dances are there for. So at the latin night on Tuesdays there are the bachatas (latin country dance) and the merengues!!

 

[pygmalion]

Honestly, from my personal experience, and from peolpe I know, if people feel tired of the whole thing and quit coming around for a while, or something like that, it is actually NOT the dancing, it is something else in their lives.....

I didn't mean to dismiss your comments about this, Marvellous. You're right. Often, it is something other than dancing that makes people quit. I could name several people who quit because of a failed romance with a former dance partner, several more who quit because of pressure from loved ones at home, and many, many who quit for financial reasons. You're right.

 

[Vince A]

Honestly, from my personal experience, and from peolpe I know, if people feel tired of the whole thing and quit coming around for a while, or something like that, it is actually NOT the dancing, it is something else in their lives.....

I didn't mean to dismiss your comments about this, Marvellous. You're right. Often, it is something other than dancing that makes people quit. I could name several people who quit because of a failed romance with a former dance partner, several more who quit because of pressure from loved ones at home, and many, many who quit for financial reasons. You're right.

Jenn,
I believe that you have hit the nail on the head.

As you said . . . you were in burnout, and how many times have I said I'm still in burnout? It is always somethings else, I feel, that contributes to burnout.

For me, it was being soundly defeated at World's last January, then taking time off to "sulk" about it. I gained about 20 pounds, which even added to the misery. Then, in July, I started dancing again only to be told I had diabetes, which kicked my a** once again.

Now, almost a year later, I am getting back in the saddle. Love and encouragement from my best friend, Carolyn, and several DF friends that I've come to know over the net and one in particular in person, have contributed to me getting rid of that burnout. It's still there, but fading fast.

 

[pygmalion]

How did I miss this post? Hugs, Vince. I'm sure that this will pass, and you'll come back recommitted and better than ever. Hang in.

 

[Vince A]

How did I miss this post? Hugs, Vince. I'm sure that this will pass, and you'll come back recommitted and better than ever. Hang in.

I'm ha hangin' . . . thanks Jenn . . . this will pass, I know it will!

 

[dancergal]

How did I miss this post? Hugs, Vince. I'm sure that this will pass, and you'll come back recommitted and better than ever. Hang in.

I'm ha hangin' . . . thanks Jenn . . . this will pass, I know it will!

Vince, I go through dance burn-out off and on too. I think that I want to take a break, I'm not learning fast enough, my feet hurt, I don't have time for anything else......then we go to a convention or we learn a fun move and suddenly I'm back, wanting to learn more.....don't know what's up with me sometimes. :roll:

 

[MNswing]

I went through a small/minor phase of burn-out about 3 weeks ago. I just got to the dance and would be too tired and unmotivated. Then I took 3 weeks off for Thanksgiving because they don't have any dance venues where I live for the holidays. I came back and went dancing last Saturday night and it was awesome. THEN the whole week I couldn't keep my eyes off of dance clips on the Internet and I was dreaming about dancing, and just couldn't wait. Last night, I had one of the best dancing nights of my life. Everything was clicking and my dance partner helped me learn how to spin multiple times in a row... SUPER COOL - We got to about 10 revolutions. It was sweet!!!!!!!!!!!! Such an awesome night, and now I can't wait 'til NEXT Thursday. The sad part is, I'll be home again for the holidays and no more dancing for 3 weeks... HOWEVER, when I get back, it'll be great again! What a predicament... but it's great. Good stuff.

 

[Dancegal]

I took a dance break in July - was getting tired of what seemed to be dance politics - whether real or perceived - and was having trouble getting over an old relationship :cry: (with a fellow swing dancer). It took a lunch with a fellow swing dancing friend to learn not to pay attention to the politics and enjoy the dance for what it is. I still dance with my ex-boyfriend if we are at the same dances and it's okay now thankfully (ironically dancing with him helps for the awkwardness to go away). And of course, I missed the LINDY! It helped me realize how much I enjoyed it. So, now I encourage my friends to enjoy it as well.

http://lindyfest.hsds.org/

 

[MadamSamba]

Thanks for all your thoughtful replies. Just FYI, my friend is back dancing and doesn't look like stopping anytime soon.

She got a bit stressed about her medals (she always does about three, gets very worked up then does brilliantly and comes back). Anyway, she just got her results and is over the moon _ all honours. Ok, so she's a wee bit mercurial, but the important thing is she's back!!! Just thought I'd let you guys know.

 

[HothouseSalsero]

I'm not sure I should comment, since I don't think I've gone through exactly what is being discussed here--but I do think we should keep in mind that we are human beings and dancing doesn't have to be an (or THE) all-consuming priority. I only spent a couple years as intensely involved with dancing as what some of you are describing here (and even then, there was a definite limit to how many nights I could stay out late dancing--I need my sleep and there's no point trying to argue with myself).

Maybe the person mentioned in the original post was maybe overdoing it and beginnign to resent that. Of course, it could also be something else entirely.

I remember one period when I was having a weekly private lesson, two group salsa classes (one filling in as an extra male in a beginner level class), another lesson with my teachers at a club night (if I felt up to it), and an Argentine Tango group class. Even though I wasn't even paying for the AT class, I really wanted to drop out of it. For me it was being stretched too thin. (Okay, granted: I also didn't really take to tango, which may negate the whole thing.)