Feel: I noticed that when I dance I tend to feel as if everyone is watching and judging me. It can make me feel insecure and selfish.

Figure out: This week I realized that in order to unlock my true potential, I must release my insecurities and stay confident.

Takeaway: I really appreciate how the author put toughness into perspective by defining it through different points of views.

Skill: I'm learning how to be patient with myself and take each day as an accomplishment.

Find or create: Paris, Texas by Lana del Rey

Book takeaway: From chapter 2 I learned about how easily coping mechanisms can become habits, and I was able to become aware of my own

Definition of judgement and expectations: It is important to work on your goals free of self judgement because it will only bring you down. Valuing your effort over the end product will get you much further.

Course correction: Possible stressors include how i view myself, what other people will think of me, and how far i'll get in the end. I course correct by reminding myself that I have nothing to prove, and moving at my own pace is perfectly okay.

Prime your mind: Avoid pushing myself too hard by taking breaks when needed, focus on my breath.

Raise the bar: Being tentative, looking forward to completing everything I need to complete, caring a lot about my craft.

3 of my weaknesses: slow learner, easily distracted, typically rush things.

Accommodations: 1. I try to go in the second group and watch other people/ ask questions. 2. When I feel myself getting distracted I make it a point to snap back into it and remind myself where I am and why I'm there.

Trust yourself: I believe my confidence has grown greatly this year. Being new to the dance program this year made it a bit hard to feel confident in my movement. However, as time goes on I feel myself growing more faith in my work.

Takeaway: I really took away the tips given to reshape insecurity and morph it into true confidence. I found it very helpful!

Confidence role model: Graciela Templeton, mom.

What personal steps do you take to identify an emotion as a message without judgement?

When is a time you've let your emotions dictate your actions, good or bad?

What color can you match to the emotion that is easiest to become numb to in your experience? Make it the backgrounf of your entry.

ACDA PROMPTS:

1. During the conference, I learned to intake the beauty of what surrounded me without comparison. I find that typically when I watch others my age dance I often consider if I am capable of what they are doing. However, this time around I changed my mindset and was much more relaxed and content.

2. Durning ACDA, I struggled deeply with motivation. However, I changed my perspective into seeing the conference as a privilege rather than a task, and it made it much more enjoyable. The book definitely helped me shift into this new mentality.

3. During the concert, I was inspired by my surroundings. At this point in the semester, it is very easy to get burnt out and want to give up. However, ACDA helped me realize that I want to finish this year off strong!

Another take away I had from the chapter was the idea of a calm conversation. Especially when talking with myself, I find that I tend to say drastic things as a way to cope, without recognition of how damaging it can be to my mental health. By taking a step back, and resorting to a calm approach with myself, I will be more optimistic throughout the day.

Chapter 9: For my activity this week, I chose to change my scenery and make it a point to do my homework outside of my room. Typically when I do my work, in my room i find myself immediately crawling into bed to do it. I find that this makes me feel tired, less motivated, and sluggish. However, when I switch locations to a coffee shop, the library, or even the first floor of my dorm, I get my work down way quicker and more efficiently. A take away I had from this chapter was the idea of distracting oneself to avoid pain. Personally, I find that avoiding pain is much easier in the moment, but is far more damaging in the long run. I tend to struggle with this a lot and it has only proven to make me more anxious in the end. I am hoping to put the books ideas in practice and finally be able to face hard things.