When do you know it's time to retire?

With the Christmas holidays here, and many studios taking time off until the New Year, I know many dancers are reevaluating their goals and ambitions for coming year. For the old dancers, many are wondering if this year will be their last in the competitive world.

Making the decision to retire was an extremely hard choice for me. My life revolved around dance, including my job, as a student teacher and my social life. I was almost 19 and I had no idea what else I was good at, other than Irish dance. I was proud of my accomplishments and loved dancing, but I knew if I were to continue dancing, which requires a huge time commitment, I would miss out on the college/ university social experience. I wouldn't be able to go out late with friends, or take road trips on the weekend. I didn't know if I was willing to miss out on that.

For the first few months into my freshman year at college, I commuted an hour each way to get to classes a couple times a week. For those of you who know me, know I went to George Brown College in Toronto for performing arts/ dance. I spent all day doing ballet/pointe, jazz, modern, musical theatre, acting, and vocal classes. The college program was perfect for me but adding Irish dance classes on top of my 6-8 hour days at school was exhausting. After many tears and nights on the phone with my mom I knew that the Eastern Canadian Oireachtas 2005 would be my last competition.

The ECRO 2005 was the worst I have ever done at an Oireachtas. Although, receiving a recall medal is lots to be proud of, I had always placed in previous years. The urge to continue was stronger ever. I felt ashamed I was leaving on a sour note. However, my mom took me aside after results and said "you have made your decision now do what you set out to do". So I did.

I finished 2 years at George Brown, where I learnt more than ever, about dancing, my body, and how I felt about dance in general. I also met amazing friends, had a thriving social life, and got to go out every weekend. I was happy without Irish Dance.

After 5 years without Irish Dance I decided to come back. I felt it was my time, and that I was ready to commit again to the late nights at the studio, long weekends at feises and a very sore body.

As for advice to my fellow older dancers, trying to make this very difficult decision.... You'll know. Follow your heart, and if you regret leaving, you can always come back. The door is never locked and the Irish Dance world is very welcoming if you decide to come back.

I wish you luck.

Merry Christmas to everyone and enjoy your break!

Much Love,

Maggie

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Comment by Gonefeising on January 18, 2012 at 2:31am: Such great advice about retiring. I love how you mention that the door in Irish dance is always open!

Comment by Margaret Wilkins on January 13, 2012 at 4:11pm: Wow! congrat caroline!

Comment by caroline griffin on January 13, 2012 at 12:43am: I left dancing at the age of 18. I didn't really want to - but i wanted to be a pharmacist and couldn't afford to do both. (also there were no dance schools taking on adults near my university). I stayed away for 16 years. Then i found a class for adults - non-competitive - an exercise class really. The teacher had competitive classes for younger dancers but i had no intention of doing that at the age of 34 lol. Very quickly i became good friends with my teacher. Then another girl (age 21) who had only been dancing 2 or 3 years and i decided it would be fun to enter a feis. We entered primary grade and placed quite well. A year later She has now all her dances in inter / open and i have all mine in inter. We are both hoping to qualify for the worlds in Boston. eventually we hope to take our teachers exams. Retire??? NEVER! :)

Comment by Aisling on January 4, 2012 at 4:51pm: great advice... i've thought about retiring many times but my heart won't let me do it just yet :) if i achieve some goals this year i may be re-evaluating but for now i am too happy dancing, even when i have bad competitions results i don't want to stop.

Comment by Margaret Wilkins on December 22, 2011 at 7:39pm: I'm not retiring again any time soon. Just wanted to give a helping hand to those thinking about the difficult decision themselves. I've been there.

Comment by Vicky Roberts on December 22, 2011 at 7:16pm: Wise words Margaret, thanks for sharing your thoughts & I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year! Good luck with whatever you choose to do, I'm sure you'll be brilliant at it!