Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

It doesn’t need to look perfect, it just needs to feel good. Julie shares details of her love of dancing despite her two left feet.

Back in December, I had dinner and an episode of Strictly booked at a friend’s house. Both of us are Strictly fans and for a long time, it has been a tradition to get together on one Saturday during the series to discuss our highlights. 

I often wonder why I love it so much given that I am not very coordinated. I can do arms, I can do legs, but I can’t do them together! Neither is my friend. We can talk the talk – observing and breaking down areas of improvement – but we can’t dance the dance. We both have utmost respect for the celebrities that put themselves forward each week to have their dance moves scrutinized, analysed and critiqued. I have tried dancing at home, in the office, at events and other occasions. In fact, if you play a tune with a beat, I can’t help myself. I’m up and throwing some shapes. Does it matter that it’s not “glamourous”? 

Not if you read this article by Claudia Calvin which sums up my feelings and thoughts exactly – How to dance like nobody’s watching. Look at Ed, who is a dancer. There are professional dancers and people who dance. I fall into the latter category. But I really don’t mind. Like the racket sports I play and the tunes I sing, it leaves me feeling good. Just ask my colleagues about the time I broke out into Disturbed’s version of “Sound of Silence” in the office! Not sure they felt the same after I had finished… 

Like the end of Ed’s video clip, “I dance to feel good, not to look good.” And those feelings last for a very long time. I remember being a young primary school pupil and dancing in PE to “The Original Popcorn Song.” I still picture myself dancing with my Mum around the living room as she patiently instructed me in the waltz, the quickstep and the foxtrot (her favourite). 

Check out this video of Julie dancing in a meeting.

My mum loved to dance and was great at it. She regaled me of happy occasions at dances where she sang with a band and would later dance traditional ballroom. She was not short of dance partners; such was her skill. My Dad would also dance with me in the house, at family occasions and other events. We were perfectly matched! Neither of us were particularly good but both of us reveled in the moment. 

My brother and I still reminisce about the time that Dad and I were visiting him in Scotland, and we went to Hopetoun House. A very grand house with some very grand rooms. With no one else present and nothing but an open, wooden floor, we spontaneously broke out into a waltz, turning around and around the floor.  

I’ve never stopped dancing like no one’s watching. I’ve made more memories with my own children who absolutely have better co-ordination and moves than their Mum. Two of them have done – what I would call – ‘proper dance,’ so I clearly haven’t put them off… Yet! 

In fact, I think they enjoy that I’m still inclined to pop up and throw a few shapes. Ask them how many times they have looked at the video they took of me after asking Gavin and Stacey style, “Mum, do you want to step in?” And how many times they have felt the need to share it with anyone who is interested! Try this, I promise it will get you moving and give you joy. Just make sure there are no obstacles! Gavin and Stacey 2019