Gratefulness in the Dance: Navigating Motherhood and Ballet with Joy

Strolling with my little one through Siena

Balancing motherhood and a professional life is a journey filled with highs and lows, but it’s one that brings immense gratitude. As a dance teacher in Munich and a mother, I’ve learned to appreciate the small victories and challenges alike. Finding harmony between these two important parts of my life has become a source of deep fulfillment.

Grateful for the Challenge of Focus

Staying focused on work while caring for a little one isn’t always easy, but it’s a challenge that I’ve come to embrace with gratitude. There are days when my attention is divided between teaching ballet classes in Munich and meeting the needs of my daughter. In those moments, I remind myself of the privilege it is to be able to pursue my passion for dance while also raising a child.

Being present in the moment, whether during a ballet lesson or a family activity, has become a practice that brings me closer to both my students and my family. This approach allows me to fully appreciate the joys of both motherhood and my professional life.

Grateful for the Freedom to Travel and Explore

One of the greatest gifts of self-employment is the flexibility it offers, particularly when it comes to travel. Despite the complexities of managing work and family life, my family and I have been fortunate enough to continue enjoying our kind of holidays—active, adventurous, and full of discovery.

This year, our travels took us through the stunning landscapes of Italy, from Emilia-Romagna and Lago d’Iseo to Tuscany, Parma, Trento, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, and Lake Garda. These trips reminded me that even though motherhood changes your life, it doesn’t mean you have to give up the things you love. I’m grateful for the opportunity to create memories with my family while staying active and exploring new places together.

Grateful for the Flexibility of Self-Employment

Being self-employed in the dance world comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to financial stability. However, the flexibility it provides is something I’m incredibly thankful for. Running my dance lessons in Munich allows me to create a schedule that works for both my family and my passion for ballet.

Though there are uncertainties—like the occasional no-show at a ballet class or an unexpected doctor’s appointment—each day ends with a feeling of gratitude. Even on the toughest days, when I fall into bed exhausted, I’m thankful that I made it through. The exhaustion wears off, replaced by a sense of pride and joy in having managed my work, made my child happy, and handled the countless little tasks that fill my day.

As I reflect on the day’s challenges, a brief moment of uncertainty might creep in—what will tomorrow bring? A doctor’s appointment? A call from the Kita? Too many no-shows at a ballet class? But this uncertainty quickly transforms into a feeling of curiosity. I remind myself that I made it through today, and I know I’ll find a way to master tomorrow as well.

Inspiring Young Dancers with Gratitude

We all have our struggles and burdens in life. I have mine, and I’m certain that others might even face bigger ones. But maybe my story can serve as a bit of inspiration for you as you navigate your own challenges. If I can make it through a hard day, juggling the demands of motherhood and my work as a dance teacher, then so can you.

To my young dancers, I know you face your own challenges with school, dance, and the expectations placed on you. Ballet is a demanding art form, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Every challenge you encounter is an opportunity to grow and develop, not only as a dancer but as a person. Even on the hardest days, when you feel exhausted or unsure of what the next day will bring, be grateful for the progress you’ve made. The sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming challenges is something to cherish.

Final Thoughts: Grateful for the Journey

Managing the demands of motherhood and a professional life isn’t always easy, but it’s a journey filled with moments of gratitude. As a dance teacher in Munich, I’m thankful for the opportunity to share my passion for ballet while also raising my daughter. This journey has taught me to appreciate the little things and to find joy in the interplay between work and family.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can inspire other mothers and young dancers to embrace their challenges with gratitude and to find joy in their unique paths.

With Love,

Harriet xxx

Dancing Queen in Quarantine

With us all going through something very scary right now, I wanted to spread some positively about what us artists are doing while we can’t work

Never would I have thought I’d be writing a post about this. With the world on lockdown due to the quickly spreading Coronavirus, it has been one of the strangest and scariest times any of us have experienced and it doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.

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❝The entertainment and theatre industry is taking a huge hit❞

It is causing us all to go through our own difficult times and creating a worrisome atmosphere of what is to come and the possible effects it will have on us all. We have all been advised to say indoors and avoid contact with others, not to mention the unfortunate people that are having to actually deal with the illness and lives being turned upside down because of it. Continue reading “Dancing Queen in Quarantine”

Ask Me Anything

Sharing a video answering ten questions about me and my ballerina life for an ‘Ask Me Anything’

The life of a Ballerina can be quite an interesting one and very different to any other lifestyle there is. As I love sharing with you what I get up to through my blog and social media, I wanted to do an ‘Ask Me Anything’ to answer some of the many questions people are often wondering about us dancers.

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Performing one of my favourite roles ‘Juliet’ with Juliano Tuscano as my ‘Romeo’ (Photo: Admill Kuyler)

I got a great response through Instagram and some amazing questions, so much so I think I may have to turn this video into a series of videos to give as many answers as possible.

Thank you to everyone who asked me something, I loved answering them and it is also a great way to inspire me on things I should write about for the future. If anyone out there has a question for a ballerina please write to me and ask, I would be honoured to answer. 

Hope you enjoy the video and keep your eyes open for more.

With love,

Harriet

Inspiration All Around Us

Where do you find your inspiration? I find my inspiration in you

We all need a little inspiration in life and we all find it in different places. It can come from the simplest of things, like a sunny morning helping you get out of bed or a good song brightening your mood. Inspiration can be found almost anywhere and I think one of the strongest inspirations we have out there can be each other. Humans inspiring humans.

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Performing La Sylphide from the inspirational Peter Schaufuss

I wanted to touch on this topic because recently I have received a few messages and responses to my dancing and what I am writing about on here that have been so encouraging for me. Messages from people who I haven’t even met, and yet they kindly took the time to let me know that from watching me dance or reading my blog they have thoroughly enjoyed it and been inspired by it.

Hearing from these wonderful people not only encouraged me but reminded me I am in a position where I am inspiring people and the fact that it is through my job and I am uplifting people from doing the thing I love, is the greatest reward I could ask for. I get this from total strangers and I am so lucky that my occupation exposes me to such compliments. Unfortunately, not many people have that exposure, but this shouldn’t make a difference and we should all take the time to tell someone they did well and we appreciate their efforts, it can honestly inspire them to do more. This is the effect that it had on me. Continue reading “Inspiration All Around Us”