dance journal prompts to help you grow!

What’s the point of journaling?

That was your first thought when you saw the title, right? 

Journaling is so boring.

 What's the point of journaling? 

That’s not going to help me improve as a dancer!

It’s actually the opposite- by journaling, you can work through your thoughts regarding dance and create a plan to improve your skills, rather than just continuously dancing. Journaling is also a moment of pause to reflect and grow as a dancer. Studies have shown that you’re 42% more likely to achieve your goals by writing them down and you also gain more insightful knowledge about dance through reflection. So, here’s a long list of dance journal prompts to get you started- you don’t need to work through all of them, just whichever ones are most relevant at the moment.

You also don’t even need to write all these thoughts down! Simply thinking about them also helps you work through whatever you need. 

Journal prompts to handle constructive criticism

Let's be honest- whether it’s from competition judges or dance teachers, we all struggle with taking criticism or feedback, sometimes. These prompts can help you work through and understand feedback to apply it, and even determine if it’s relevant to you or not!

1. Do I agree with this critique? Why or why not?

2. How am I going to become a better dancer because of this critique?

3. How can I apply this critique? What habits or actionable steps can I take?

4. Is this a one-time fix or do I need to stay consistent with this?

Journal prompts to reflect after an event

These are perfect to refer to after a comp/dance performance/convention, to learn and grow from those experiences.

1. What did I do that last comp/performance/convention that was good? What could’ve gone better?

2. How can I improve for next time? What habits or actionable steps can I take?

Journal prompts for goal-setting

These are perfect to do when it's a new week/month/season/year for setting and accomplishing new dance goals or habits, or, if you feel the need to challenge yourself.

1. What exactly do I want to achieve? 

2. Why do I want to achieve that? 

Tip: Specify a value that aligns with you to stay consistent with working towards this goal! Ex: performance, creativity, etc. 

1. What habits or actionable steps can I take to reach this goal?

2. What is the larger picture with this goal?

3. How can I stay consistent with these new goals and habits?

i.e. How can I hold myself accountable?

1. What daily habits can I add to my routine to challenge myself and grow?

2. How can I stay consistent with these new habits?

i.e. How can I hold myself accountable?

Journal prompts for your mental health/confidence

These journal prompts are perfect to do when you feel negative or down about yourself, or find yourself constantly comparing yourself to others. 

1. Who am I comparing myself to, and why?

2. How can I stop comparing myself to them?

1. What can I control in terms of dance?

2. Why am I doubting my abilities?

3. I am . . .

1. Do I need a break?

2. What do I need to do to feel better?

References

Matthews, G. (2007). Goals Research Summary. Dominican University of California. Retrieved from https://www.dominican.edu/sites/default/files/2020-02/gailmatthews-harvard-goals-researchsummary.pdf

Oxford University Press Blog. (2016). Reflective Practices in Dance Training. Retrieved from https://blog.oup.com/2016/09/reflective-practices-dance-training/