can't live without it - dance

I tried to dig deep this week to come up with something that I need in my life...that I absolutely couldn't live without :)

And one of the answers is dance. 

I started dance as a young girl and continued taking lessons up until college. Then, I decided to minor in dance while attending university - not planning on doing anything with it career-wise, but just to do it for me, because I loved it. I've taken it all...ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, belly dance, modern, contemporary...but my favorites, still to this day, are ballet and modern.

While in college, I also started teaching at the studio where I grew up taking lessons...and I have to say, those were some of the best times of my life. I have lifelong friends (who are more like family) from my studio and the most amazing memories from those years. 

I love everything about dance - the emotion and release I feel, the endless hours of choreography, the creativity, the performing, the long hours and hard work needed...all of it. I remember going through an awful breakup when I was in college - my relationship ended with my high school boyfriend of 5 1/2 years and I was devastated, but I would go to dance class and literally forget about all of it - my mind would be crystal clear while I was dancing and in a way it was like therapy for me. That's one of the reasons I love it so much...dance can do amazing things for people. 

I haven't been able to take regular dance classes for awhile now, mainly because of grad school taking up most of my evening time during the week (and sucking the life out of me)...but I honestly miss it every single day. Once I graduate, I will absolutely be back in class regularly because it is a part of me, part of my soul. It's hard to explain and put into words, but if you have ever found something you connect with so deeply, I'm sure you understand what I am talking about ;)

What is something you can't live without?? 
Join the fun with Laura, Stephanie, and Caitlin - link up and share!!