Bunnie is depressed... and don't know how to stop overworking...

[Ballet Bunnie]

I just realized that I am usually depressed in class - always not happy about my dancing, and see so many places that I can work on...

I have also talked to my main teacher. She told me I am depressed because I am a good student, that the kids who don't care about their techniques are usually the happy ones... She also told me that I am depressed because I am overworking myself... And she told me many many many times that I need to learn to relax, stop thinking so much about my technique, stop being depressed, and "just dance"...

But the problem is that I don't know how I can relax! I will always find something to work on; I am always so focused on my technique that sometimes I even block out my teachers' comments, and only realize my teacher is giving me a correction when I heard my name at the end of the correction, and then, I have to ask them what they said... Isn't this so annoying?

 

I am depressed, but I know that I love ballet so much that I would do anything for it... But right now, I think this depression/overworking is in my way of becoming a better dancer...

 

Anyone out there have similar experiences? How did you deal with it?

[Victoria Leigh]

Depression about your dancing is a waste of energy and a total deterrent to progress. Your focus is on your depression instead of on the class, the work, the teacher's corrections, the music, and your love for dance. It is a huge negative, and makes for a negative attitude in class. No one wants to work with a person with a negative attitude. It pulls down the class and even the teacher. If you cannot go into class realizing that this is where you want to be and what you want to do, then don't go to class. The negativity negates the work and the ability to dance. Basically, it is self-indulgent and totally non-productive. Stop overthinking and just go in to dance and learn and get better. The better you get the more you enjoy it. But you won't get better if you insist on being upset with yourself. If you cannot overcome this yourself, no one can do it for you. It would be better not to dance and find something that makes you happy, not sad.

[Ballet Bunnie]

I know that dancing should be something that make me happy. I love ballet so much, deep in my heart. Perhaps I am just in "that stage".

 

I think I so far have done well in terms of not letting my depression show in class because I know that's really unprofessional. I've managed it well that most of my teachers tell me that I am such a model student... It's usually after class, alone, when I think about what I have done, how I have done it, and what could be done better that I get depressed... Maybe I should stop blaming myself, if I can control it.

 

But the over-working part and the learning to relax part is what I am having problem with, and do not know how to deal with...

[vrsfanatic]

Ballet Bunnie put a smile on your face in every class, no matter what. Try this for two weeks. Make a commitment to the acting side of our artform. In many countries, ballet dancers are called actors, not dancers. Start to practice the acting part, eventually outward happiness may become a good habit. Each day make a commitment to happiness in dance. Stop the worrying and succeed. You know you are overworking, so recognize the symptoms and just stop. It may feel to you like you are not working enough. Don't feel guilty about this feeling. Only y ou can make these changes in yourself. Stop talking about it and do it. Time is passing.

[Victoria Leigh]

Sorry, but the Young Dancers forums are off limits to anyone but the Young Dancers and the Teacher Moderators. I have already removed two posts from this thread. I appreciate that everyone wants to help, but rules are rules.

[Ballet Bunnie]

Thank you, Ms. Vrsfanatic! I am already feeling happier by just reading your post. I will put a face on for classes starting tomorrow!

[L' Allegro]

Well I'm so glad I stumbled upon this thread because that is exactly how I have been feeling. I know I'm improving, and I stay positive in class and work hard, but afterward the only thing I come away with is "I stink." No matter how well I may have done... I guess it's an attitude I need to just squelch and remind myself why I dance... after all, I love it!