If you were to have looked at my Instagram feed at any point in the last couple of months, it would look like all that I do is go line dancing and hit up local coffee stands. And while those parts of my world are fun and tend to get documented at a much higher rate than the rest of my life, I do have a job and a few other responsibilities.

I had been to a few line dancing nights with friends sporadically over the last two years and remember being surprised each time I went how alive I felt afterward and a yearning to know every song being played so I could be out on the floor. When line dance lessons were being offered last summer, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity for me to jump in. 

I fell in love week by week and as most of my friends and family heard that summer  I truly did “make it my entire personality” and tried to invite every single person I could to join me. One of the perks of a hobby like line dancing is that you can show up completely by yourself and still enjoy both the workout and the community of people that become regulars at each night as well. This is just what I needed at this stage of my life as I was newly single (not sure how long I get to claim the “new” in this label) and have busy busy friends who couldn’t always attend with me no matter how much I begged.

A few other highlights that I love about this hobby:
– it’s an amazing workout and I usually leave pretty damn sweaty and tired.
– it feeds the competitive spirit in me because there are always new and harder dances to learn and master. This typically involves hours of YouTube practice at home in front of my cats and son rolling his eyes at me.
– the community. From going to regular line dancing nights, you start to get to know some of the other amazing humans and at least at the nights I attend, everyone I have met has been so lovely and welcoming and as excited as I am to be there.
– no matter how tired or low I feel, I never regret going. I think it’s a combination of the music, the people, and the physical movement that is such a spark of dopamine and joy each night I go.

If you are interested in checking out my new obsession, I did start a Facebook group where there is a calendar of all the events in Whatcom County so you can check that out. And if you feel like you’re too beginner to attend, almost all of the nights begin with a truly beginner lesson and we will ease you right in (especially if you come to Monday nights at the Corner Taphouse when I’m teaching).