The transition from college to the workplace was tough. I look back now and joke with my professors that college doesn’t really prepare you for the “real world.” It takes a few years to settle in and find your groove. I put in my fair share of long nights and weekends at my first job. I was trying to find some sort of balance between work and a social life.
After I graduated college and began my career, I got swept up in the daily grind, as many of us do. I went to work, came home, ate, showered, watched TV, and then went to bed. I went from having a big social life in college to practically none overnight.
Being a former Division II college softball player, I was used to being physically active. However, I was often too tired after work to exercise. I tried to play in a few slow pitch leagues but it just wasn’t what I was looking for.
I decided on a whim that I needed to try something new and out of my comfort zone. I called a ballroom dance studio, where I had won three free private lessons. I had always wanted to try dancing; however, I never had the confidence. I am confident in all other areas of my life. Send me to a networking event where I don’t know anyone, and I’ll be just fine. However, there was something terrifying about entering a dance studio. I didn’t know what to expect. I was afraid I would make a fool of myself, and I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have any rhythm.
Needless to say, I got the courage to go to my first lesson and a year later, I competed in my first ballroom dancing competition! It was never my intent to become a competitive ballroom dancer. However, after my first lesson, I knew I was hooked.
For me, ballroom dancing is a challenge. I learn something new every lesson and I grow, not only as a dancer, but as a person as well. Most importantly, I have FUN! It is an hour a week that I look forward to. I am not on social media or checking my e-mail, I’m forced to live in the moment and just dance. Not to mention, it is great exercise too!
No matter if it is ballroom dancing or softball, I challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new like I did. Finding a hobby that you are passionate about is one of the greatest things I have learned since graduating college.
Ballroom dancing is skillset that I will be able to use the rest of my life, both personally and professionally. At galas, I often admired the couples that could go out on the floor and ballroom dance. I never thought I would ballroom dance at a gala; however, this past Derby, I had the opportunity to cross that off my bucket list when I attended the Julep Ball.
If you are interested in trying ballroom dancing, I encourage you to come to my dance studio, Dance Louisville. They offer a special for new customers: 30 days for $30. Check out this short video of Dance Louisville to hear part of my story and testimonial.
So now go, and Cha Cha Cha. 🙂
Bio:
Paige Wills is the Communication Manager at Signature HealthCARE, a long-term health care and rehabilitation company with 113 locations in nine states whose vision to radically change the landscape of long-term care forever. Prior to Signature, Paige spent two years as the Social Media Analyst at Sam Swope Auto Group, so she can tell you the make, model, year, and price of pretty much any vehicle! Paige, a graduate of Bellarmine University, also volunteers with several organizations and events throughout the community including: The Kentucky Derby Museum, the AT&T Kentucky Derby Festival Morning Line Radio Show, and the American Red Cross Wrapped in Red Gala.
About the Series
The YPAL Healthcare Blog Series, sponsored by Norton Healthcare, is part of the new Healthy YP Initiative, which will focus on the health and well-being of our Louisville Young Professionals. This blog series will feature various young professional bloggers in our community sharing their stories on health, wellness, nutrition, fitness and healthy lifestyles.
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