My Happiness Project - September

Over the summer I purchased the book The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Unfortunately due to my busy schedule of dancing, traveling, and working multiple jobs, I never found the time to finish it. The author's main goal is to find happiness. Over the course of the year, each month with a different specific purpose, she pursues her search for happiness. So each month this is what I plan to do: follow her steps and see if it leads me to being a happier individual (although I am already quite happy.) Since it's September, I thought I would skip ahead to this chapter in Rubin's book.

The month of September in the novel is centered around pursing something that you're passionate about. So this month I am focusing a lot of time and energy on improving my dancing. Dance has been important to me and a significant part of my life for quite a while. I've recently begun to take it more seriously, hoping to improve and advance myself in the art. So far this month that has meant getting to more classes and always giving 100% when I have the opportunity to be in the studio.

Another important idea that Rubin presents is the importance of making time. There is always going to be a reason or an excuse as to why you couldn't find the time. So stop making excuses and make time. Although I dislike having to request days off of work on a regular basis, if I want to attend my dance classes and improve, it's necessary. Pursuing a passion sometimes means having to give up something else that's important to you, but more often than not it ends up being worth it. So for the month of September I'm working a lot less so that I can dance more. I'm also utilizing any spare time that I can. I'm constantly dancing around my house, going over choreography in my head or stretching while I'm doing my homework. You can only adjust your schedule to a certain extent to make time for the things that are not always able to be prioritized, so you have to get creative so that you can have the best of both worlds.

The last suggestion Rubin has is to forget about the outcomes. I'm passionate about dance because it's a way for me to find myself, express myself, and lose myself. I don't do it just to be perfect or the best. Of course I strive for success and constantly want to better myself, but it's more than just that to me. Happiness and passion can be lost when too much focus is on the results. I've found that dancing for me is more rewarding than a title or a trophy ever could be.

So far September has been focused on pursuing my passion of dance.

As the month progresses I plan to keep up my hard work, find the time to do so, and dance for myself no matter what comes out of it.