Send 'smooth-sailing' sentiments to Spirit_Healer!

I love your enthusiasm, @Jynx !

In the end, I couldn't shake my cold, so I've decided to wait for another weekend in the future. My favourite two events clash in 2 weekends' time, so I'm thinking I'll hold out until then.

What kinds of dancing do you like to do?

@Spirit_Healer ooh sounds like a wise decision hun!! Hope you feel better soon 🤞

I got into dancing a lot more intensely when I started going to doofs (a niche of psytrance festivals - lasers, phat beats, wholesome people). Biggest change was learning that it wasn't about how I looked, but about what the movement made me feel!

So I have no formal training or particular style, I just like to flail about in whatever way feels right in the moment hehe.

How about you?

@Jynx I got into street latin and swing dancing when I went interstate for uni. I've kept up my salsa and bachata on and off since my return to my hometown here.

I find that I enjoy the dances more when I let go of tension and just move with my partner and the music. Sometimes, it's easier to follow a lead if I close my eyes when I'm in closed hold. It's easier to move when I stop worrying about what my partner and other spectators think and just enjoy the moment.

I've been dancing for thirteen years, and there's still much more to master!

@tyme

Such an amazing past time @Spirit_Healer . I've done slasa dancing and it was so therapeutic. Having to always be counting the steps made it a mindful task for me. I've stopped making it a commitment now though.

Oh, I have to add, I wasn't very good at it either.. but I found it very therapeutic.

You've been doing it for ages! You're the first person I've met outside the ones I've danced with.

@tyme , once you've learnt how to salsa the first time, it's less difficult when you return to it again, even after a break. Covid forced a lot of dancers to take a break. My closest dance school even closed down, likely because they couldn't afford the rent at their beautiful studio without any revenue coming in. The dance scene is slowly recovering.

Another thing that has been keeping me busy is church. I go most Sundays and then also go to a Bible study group during the week. Do you do Bible study too?

And then, fitness takes up the rest of my leisure time. Since returning to work last week, I'm still working out a rhythm of using my gym membership. I went to a group fitness class this evening, the instructor worked us hard. I'm now feeling that comfortable kind of sore. I hope that translates into good sleep tonight.

Your self-care is really pretty amazing. Thank you for sharing. It seems like your posts are a paradigm of wellness. @Spirit_Healer

I attend church gatherings as much as I can.

We have Sunday 10:30-3pm, Tues 6-8:30pm, Thurs 11-1:30pm (once a month), Thurs 7-9:30pm, Friday (once a month) 6-10pm and Saturdays 5-9pm.

These are all weekly unless I've written monthly. Then there are other impromptu gatherings in between. I go 1-2 times a week.

So it certainly keeps me busy. I enjoy it though.

I do try to keep healthy habits, @tyme . Your recognition is encouraging, thank you!

I made it through my first five-day working week since my return, hooray!

Now chilling with feline company:

 @MissGremlin @Jynx @Till23 @Shaz51

Congrats @Spirit_Healer !

You work reduced hours each day, right?

How are you finding it all. I'm guessing there is a sense of liberty and independence in going back to work?

I'm sure the kids put a smile on your face.

Your feline must miss you when you go to work.

Yes @tyme , I'm working four hours each day at the moment. Haven't quite figured out how to take these sedating antipsychotics without needing a post- lunch siesta. I'm gradually reducing the dose, which will hopefully help as well.

I feel purposeful and useful, going to work. It's good social interaction, too. The older kids are happy to see me back. The younger student who emailed me with 'come back plz' three times during my absence just confronted me about why I never responded to her email. 🤣

Marta watches from the window as I drive out, and her face is usually there when I return as well.

That's so so rewarding @Spirit_Healer . Amazing. The power of a teacher. Good on you 🙂 So proud of you.