The Inspired List: Rosario Ancer

Three reasons to be at peace with a less-than-perfect response to COVID-19

Physical distancing and mitigation strategies have been at the forefront of discussion since March. The cancellations, closures and isolation have not gone without repercussions. As such, it is crucial to address the mental and emotional aspects of these measures. The ability to process how you are feeling is only truly available once you understand the root of the problem, not just how to cope with the symptoms.

Most dancers are conditioned to strive for perfection in the studio; however, during this unprecedented time, perfection – or something remotely close to it – is far from practical. Let’s look at the top three reasons to be at peace with a less-thanperfect response to the pandemic:

Your identity is being challenged

Life as a dancer requires a commitment to the craft. Many dancers spend hours on end conditioning their bodies, learning choreography and perfecting every aspect of performance.

This daily commitment can limit your ability to explore other facets of your identity. Dance becomes who you are rather than what you do. To many, identifying as a dancer is a competitive advantage; if dance is who you are, you will be committed, disciplined and successful. Unfortunately, the formation of a self-concept tied entirely to dance can make it particularly difficult to operate in the absence of dance. Practice acceptance by focusing on what you can control. You may not be in the studio, but you can use this time as an opportunity to get to know yourself outside of dance. Try new activities, discover your likes and dislikes and invest some time exploring the different roles that you play in life.

Your preferred method of expression has been stifled

For many, the pandemic has brought on intense emotions of fear, anxiety and depression. For dancers, these feelings are usually expressed – if not subdued – by the ability to move their bodies freely. As a result, in a time plagued by uncertainty and stress, your default method of coping has been limited by extended periods of time at home. Self-awareness is key to managing your emotions. The goal is not to rid yourself of emotions, which are a normal part of processing stress.

Instead, reflect on how to label your emotion, what your triggers are and who you can speak freely about them with. Daily tracking of how you feel, what is contributing to that feeling and how you managed (or failed to manage) your emotions can be helpful in noticing trends.

Your life has been upended

Daily life, as you knew it, has changed. A steep decline in the intensity and quality of your training may have impacted your motivation, mood and self-esteem. Rather than trying to rid yourself of any negative feelings, practise self-compassion. It’s normal to see dips in motivation and mood; you are living through an unprecedented time and there is no rule book on how to feel. How you cope with stress does not reflect your strength as an individual. In fact, resiliency is not based solely on your individual ability, which is a common mistake in the way many think about mental strength. Instead, your ability to bounce back from hardship is largely the result of your environment. Isolating yourself and attempting to navigate this pandemic alone will limit your ability to be resilient. Instead, ask for help, share your experience with loved ones and leverage the power of your community. Be authentic with yourself and with others about how you are feeling and the impact that this period of isolation has had on you. Sharing your experience gives others permission to also share about their challenges.

The pandemic is an opportunity for you to refine the mental skills that have gotten you through your dance career to date and will continue to serve you in the future. When possible, take each day as a learning opportunity. You are doing the best you can and that is enough.