pre-competition disorder

I had a competition dream.

Anyways, 3 weeks to Emerald. I'm definitely dancing a lot. I'm wiped out today, on a Saturday, because after the lesson I stayed and practice for 1.5 hr. Our lesson was also actually a competition. We recorded 5 dances to be sent in for a virtual thing. I didn't think we were going to do that event but head honcho said for our "emerald discount" we had to do the event. I guess it's how they make sure students compete in internal events.

I am looking at the next 3 weeks and the weeks are pretty full. I'm not sure if I should taper. I think physically I can handle it, but maybe mentally I might not be able to. I don't know, it's a lot.

I'm trying to enjoy the process, because in the end, that's a huge part of what I'm paying for.

Also it feels like I'm constantly finding out things that is fundamentally wrong with my dancing, which is a little disheartening. And a lot of it is just too much to fix in the next 3 weeks before Emerald.

If y'all live close by, this is where I would ask everyone to go out drinking with me and cheer me up.
 
worddancer said:
I had a competition dream.

Anyways, 3 weeks to Emerald. I'm definitely dancing a lot. I'm wiped out today, on a Saturday, because after the lesson I stayed and practice for 1.5 hr. Our lesson was also actually a competition. We recorded 5 dances to be sent in for a virtual thing. I didn't think we were going to do that event but head honcho said for our "emerald discount" we had to do the event. I guess it's how they make sure students compete in internal events.

I am looking at the next 3 weeks and the weeks are pretty full. I'm not sure if I should taper. I think physically I can handle it, but maybe mentally I might not be able to. I don't know, it's a lot.

I'm trying to enjoy the process, because in the end, that's a huge part of what I'm paying for.

Also it feels like I'm constantly finding out things that is fundamentally wrong with my dancing, which is a little disheartening. And a lot of it is just too much to fix in the next 3 weeks before Emerald.

If y'all live close by, this is where I would ask everyone to go out drinking with me and cheer me up.
Click to expand...
I’ve been reading your posts, and it doesn’t seem like you’re enjoying preparing as much as you want to at all. I wish I could take you out for drinks! Maybe focused preparation for competition is not what makes you enjoy dance? If you did any sports before, I would suggest thinking of what you did then to prepare.

Prep always brings out all the stuff you want to do better, but most pros and coaches will tell you that trying too hard to fix it all does not help you on the floor.

I know that, and mentally prepared for it, and I still in my rounds last week. You can’t fix everything, so ease up the pressure on yourself a bit. I’m not going to say just relax because I hate that when people say it. But easing up is achievable. I currently am mentally doing that to myself.

good luck and virtual drinks to you!
 
Worddancer,
Oooooh, deep breath, hold on.

These are dances that you are doing. Important to you - sure. Life or death - no.

Things to improve in your dancing - sure. Fundamentally "wrong" - probably not "wrong"; some layers to add - probably. If there are things that can't get fixed in time for Emerald - well, there are a lot of other competitors in the same boat. So, for the things that don't get fixed in time for Emerald, work on them for the next competition.
 
worddancer said:
Also it feels like I'm constantly finding out things that is fundamentally wrong with my dancing, which is a little disheartening. And a lot of it is just too much to fix in the next 3 weeks before Emerald.
Click to expand...
It's just one competition. Imagine if you could just fix one of those things and make it fundamentally right each competition. In a couple years you'd be amazing!
 
I also recently had a competition dream (the usual, running late, not dressed, still packing etc) which I blame this thread for.

And, in contrast to worddancer, I have done the world's sh***iest job of preparing for my next big thing, which is filming entries for virtual comp tomorrow. I haven't practiced on my own in over a week and I skipped two consecutive socials (work has been ridiculous, I've had to consciously remind myself a couple times that my job is what funds my dancing so let's not put that at risk, and we still have another month to go). We just ran rounds and clarified a few items at this past week's lessons, which strangely went better than I expected. Like what I needed to change so he was not grunting/groaning every time (like clockwork) I came around him on the opening spin turn. I actually do know the routines (sometimes better than he does, lol, though in all fairness he has about 20x more content to remember than I do), I just probably ought to be doing them way better.

Drinks.... my department at work has a virtual Zoom happy hour every 1-2 months. Maybe we should all do that after Emerald.
 
Filming is re-scheduled for another time this week. I texted the manager that we will discuss this week how much they will be refunding me for this mess-up.

I had ordered a sub from Subway for pickup on my way to the studio (the one location open today is conveniently half-way between my house and studio). So I went and picked it up, albeit later than planned, between the phone call and having to take a detour on the way there due to traffic from the nearby megachurch where people were leaving after the service.

So I sat on my couch and ate Subway (delish actually) while crying and watching Bar Rescue (a proxy for zoom happy hour). My makeup didn't even run, that seems like a hollow win of some sort. My spouse and son are gone since they left early this morning to visit Grandma today, a 2.5 hour drive.

So I guess I'm free the rest of the day to nurse my anger, disappointment, sense of betrayal, self-pity, and all the other things.
 
@worddancer I am so excited for you to be doing Emerald Ball -- I have never done it, but would love to. It sounds like you have prepared well. You will never be as "ready" or as "good" as you want to be, ever. There is always another layer, another level, another goal. I see it with my pro. He continues to grow all the time. I wish we could go out for drinks, for sure. Go and perform your heart out, and let the results be damned, there is nothing more you can do about it anyway, given your level of preparation. Wishing you all the best!!!
 
Mini match is today! I’ve had several more horrible anxiety dreams the past week, all focusing on things going wrong while getting myself ready (e.g., it’s at a hotel [it’s not IRL] and the only parking I can find is over a big pool of muddy water, so I have to step into that to exit my car; the hotel elevators don’t go to my floor; my key doesn’t open my hotel room door; the people I’m sharing my hotel room with want me to help them do their hair & makeup but I haven’t done mine yet, and I have only an hour to do everything).

However, after a quick review lesson last night, my nerves disappeared & I slept fine last night. (Ok, “fine” is a relative term. I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep, and usually wake up around 3:30am. So I’ll just say I slept “normally” last night.)

I’m excited to dance today!

hip hop squares GIF by VH1
 
ProgressNotPerfection said:
Mini match is today! I’ve had several more horrible anxiety dreams the past week, all focusing on things going wrong while getting myself ready (e.g., it’s at a hotel [it’s not IRL] and the only parking I can find is over a big pool of muddy water, so I have to step into that to exit my car; the hotel elevators don’t go to my floor; my key doesn’t open my hotel room door; the people I’m sharing my hotel room with want me to help them do their hair & makeup but I haven’t done mine yet, and I have only an hour to do everything).

However, after a quick review lesson last night, my nerves disappeared & I slept fine last night. (Ok, “fine” is a relative term. I rarely get more than 5 hours of sleep, and usually wake up around 3:30am. So I’ll just say I slept “normally” last night.)

I’m excited to dance today!

hip hop squares GIF by VH1
Click to expand...
Good luck!
 
Chicago Crystal Ball is less than a week away.... WHERE ARE THE HEAT LISTS.

(If someone knows and can point them to me, I'd be grateful, my internet sleuthing skills are not turning up anything).

I sort of think I know when my hair/makeup appointments are because the vendor apparently uses the same scheduling software as my studio and some other businesses I have patronized in the past, so those appointments inadvertently showed up in my account for that software as upcoming reservations (mixed in with my lessons).

On that note... so I will be driving to Chicago. Any advice from those who live in the area on navigating the toll roads? It's been so long since I've driven up there that I forgot they changed the system and now they just scan you as you pass through. It's too late to order an I-Pass transponder, so do I just attempt to keep track of the mile marker and day/time? (because multi-tasking while driving on those highways is a fantastic idea). Or any alternative routes you know of to Lombard?
 
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