The Masks We Wear

Why Putting on a Costume Can Make You Feel More Yourself

It's baaaaaackk! 🧟‍♀️

Halloween week is here! 🎃👻 If you've been following me for a while, you know how much I enjoy throwing together a costume (or four), playing some creepy tunes, and hitting the dance floor for our themed classes.

But to be honest, this year I was thinking of giving it a miss.

With a full schedule of classes, corporate events, and my own continuing education, did I really have time to play dress up? 

 I even told Anna, our make-it-happen master, that I might let the holiday pass without the usual hype.  Her reply: "But... isn't Halloween like, your thing?"

Fast forward to past midnight last Friday night, trying to figure out how to transform into a K-Pop Demon Hunter, and I had to laugh at how well Anna does know me! 😜  

Like I talked about last week, play absolutely has a place in adulthood, not just because it's fun, but because it's a playground for creativity and connection. Sure enough, come Saturday morning in class, I was having a ball!

For me, dressing up isn't about hiding. It's the opposite. It’s about feeling free and exploring sides of yourself you don't always get to in "normal" life.

After all, everyday life sometimes requires us to wear other kinds of masks, doesn't it? The mask of the tireless worker, the girl boss, the perfectly put-together woman, the ever-patient parent and more. We use these masks to protect ourselves, to not disappoint others, to keep the peace or even keep the appearances up.

As someone who felt shy often when I was younger (and still sometimes do!), I think back to the years I performed burlesque. Having a stage name and over-the-top costumes gave me a chance to experiment with being a braver, bolder version of myself. The funny thing was, by "faking it" and playing with these different personas on stage, I actually started to feel more comfortable in my own skin.

That's the same feeling I get on the dance floor. It's a place where I can be strong, resilient, expressive, graceful, funny, and sultry, sometimes all within one hour. Setting aside the rigid masks of everyday life is one of my favorite things about what we do when we dance together.

So this week, I'm leaning into the Halloween holiday spirit again. I’m dressing up for each class and inviting you to do the same, wherever you are.

If you're celebrating, try it and see how it feels. See if putting on a playful mask gives you permission to take the pressure mask off. You might just unleash a side of yourself you didn’t remember was there!

Keep moving!

xx,

Katie