.png)
Casting season can stir up a mix of emotions—excitement, anxiety, and sometimes frustration. As dancers, it’s natural to want to control every aspect of your performance, but casting decisions often come down to factors that are beyond your control. Instead of focusing on changing your body or stressing over things you can’t influence, it’s important to let go of body image pressures and stay grounded. This post reminds you to embrace food freedom and self-compassion, so you can feel confident and energized during this time.
understanding what you cannot control
Casting decisions are influenced by factors like:
Artistic Vision - Directors have specific looks or body types in mind for certain roles.
Logistics - Scheduling, casting balance, and production needs.
Experience - Some roles require certain skills or past experience.
Rather than trying to change yourself to fit these factors, focus on what you can control—your self-care, how you fuel your body, and how you show up as the best version of yourself.
letting go of body image pressures
Trust me, I understand that the pressure to change your body to “earn” a role can be enticing and, often even if not spoken, is an assumed measure dancers will take. This is incredibly harmful!
Letting go of this mindset is TOUGH and once you get there, it frees you to focus on your unique strengths.
Body Neutrality - Focus on what your body can do—its power, flexibility, and endurance—rather than how it looks.
Positive Affirmations - Remind yourself that your worth isn’t tied to your body shape or casting outcomes. Try affirmations like, “I am strong,” or, “My body supports my art.”
embracing food freedom
Managing stress during casting season is easier when you embrace food freedom. Nourish your body in a way that supports your performance AND enjoy the foods you love during periods of stress (like peak casting + performance season).
🗝️ My key reminders for you:
Listen to Your Body - Eat when you’re hungry, and fuel with foods that give you energy, without falling into the trap of restrictive dieting.
Balanced Nutrition - Focus on the variety and balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that meet your body’s needs, are satisfying, and keep you dancing your best.
Enjoy Your Food - Food has no morality. It should be enjoyed and enjoyable to eat. Food guilt is not helpful to your dancing, your mindset, or your overall well-being. Enjoy each meal, whether it’s a pre-rehearsal snack or post-audition meal.
staying grounded through self-compassion
Casting season can bring self-doubt, but self-compassion can keep us grounded.
Check In With Yourself - Reflect daily on how you’re feeling—are you being harder on yourself than you need to be?
Surround Yourself With Positivity - Lean on your support systems of friends, family, or fellow dancers who remind you of your worth beyond casting decisions.
Casting season can feel overwhelming, but letting go of what you can’t control—like casting decisions and body image expectations—allows you to focus on your health, mindset, and - most importantly - your dancing. By embracing food freedom and practicing self-compassion, you’ll stay grounded, confident, and energized, no matter the outcome. Remember, your journey as a dancer isn’t defined by one casting decision, maintain your passion for your craft!
Komentar