Women Over 55 Building Confidence One Dance Step at a Time
Week Two on the dance floor: stiff knees, brain fog, and awkward moves. Discover how women over 55 are building confidence through persistence, humour, and joy.
This post is part of my ongoing series, Lessons from the Dance Floor, where I share stories from my adult jazz dance class—and the surprising life lessons they reveal. Each week, I explore how movement, music, and a beginner’s mindset can help women over 55 confront self-doubt, rediscover joy, and live with intention. This is Week Two.
Summary: Week Two on the dance floor wasn’t perfect: stiff knees, brain fog, and forgotten headlights. But that’s exactly how growth happens. This blog explores how women over 55 building confidence can lean on persistence, humour, and community — proving that showing up matters more than getting every step right.
A Preamble: Women Over 55 Building Confidence
Last week’s class left me with a glow of accomplishment — and two days of complete lethargy. I convinced myself that it was a good excuse to back off from my usual routine of working hard at home to get slimmer, stronger, fitter, more flexible, and more energetic.
Spoiler alert: Wrong moves. Wrong decisions.
By the time Week Two rolled around, I was not my best self. But as I’m discovering, part of the journey for women over 55 who want to build confidence is learning to keep going even when conditions aren’t perfect.
Last week’s class left me with a glow of accomplishment — and two days of complete lethargy.
But as I’m discovering, part of the journey for women over 55 who want to build confidence is learning to keep going even when conditions aren’t perfect.
Musings on the Way to Class
I left the house later than I wanted. My body felt stiff and sore, even after taking NSAIDs. My right knee and leg ached. My food choices hadn’t helped either — my mood was flat, my brain fog was thick, and I wasn’t feeling inspired about much, including my work on Loop See Ladder.
I wasn’t excited about class. I was anxious, irritable, and grumpy.
But I made myself drive there anyway. And along the way, I spotted a few interesting sights that gave me a little lift. I made mental notes for a better tomorrow, and I even promised myself a treat when I got home — because sometimes, survival is powered by snacks.
When I pulled up at the studio, I took a deep breath and said out loud: “We are here. Let’s do it.”
I wasn’t excited about class. I was anxious, irritable, and grumpy.
When I pulled up at the studio, I took a deep breath and said out loud: “We are here. Let’s do it.”
Musings on the Way Back
After class, I walked out to my car and saw I had left my headlights on. No one had told me! I sat there venting like a frustrated teenager, disappointed that my brain fog had gotten the best of me.
Luckily, the car started. Brain fog, 0. Battery, 1.
Driving home, I muttered: “I was not the sharpest knife in the drawer tonight.” And then I laughed, because just two days earlier, I had taken one of my knives to the farmer’s market to have it sharpened.
Life has a sense of humour if you’re willing to notice it.
After class, I walked out to my car and saw I had left my headlights on. No one had told me!
Luckily, the car started. Brain fog, 0. Battery, 1.
Lesson 1: Persistence Builds Confidence
In class, I didn’t feel as fluid or flowy as in Week One. Pain in my right leg made every move stiff. My brain fog blurred the sequences. I wasn’t executing the steps well.
But here’s the victory: I showed up. I stayed with it. And I smiled through much of it.
Takeaway: For women over 55, building confidence and persistence matter more than perfection. Progress is measured by showing up, not by nailing every sequence.
In class, I didn’t feel as fluid or flowy as in Week One.
But here’s the victory: I showed up. I stayed with it. And I smiled through much of it.
Lesson 2: Moods Shift When You Move
I started the evening irritable and anxious, convinced the night would be a wash. But by the end of class, I felt lighter. My thoughts were clearer, my voice stronger, and my energy better.
Takeaway: Confidence after 55 doesn’t always begin with a great mood. But movement and community have a way of shifting your outlook, even when your inner critic says otherwise. Regular exercise and joyful movement are linked to improved mood and mental clarity, according to Harvard Health.
I started the evening irritable and anxious, convinced the night would be a wash.
But by the end of class, I felt lighter. My thoughts were clearer, my voice stronger, and my energy better.
Lesson 3: Connection Creates Courage
This week, I opened up a little. I spoke to classmates. I mentioned that Jen is my daughter — and of course, they love her. I began to feel more myself in the room, even if my body felt stiff.
Takeaway: Building self-confidence for women over 55 isn’t just an internal job. Community matters. Sharing even small parts of yourself creates courage. For more on this, see my guide to Nurturing Joyful Connections.
This week, I opened up a little. I spoke to classmates.
I began to feel more myself in the room, even if my body felt stiff.
Lesson 4: Humour Softens the Edges
Between brain fog, sore knees, and forgotten headlights, I didn’t exactly shine. But laughter turned frustration into something I could carry lightly.
Takeaway: Humour is a secret weapon for women over 55, helping them build confidence. When you can laugh at the awkward bits, you shrink self-doubt and make space for joy. Research also shows that humour improves resilience and emotional well-being (Psychology Today).
Between brain fog, sore knees, and forgotten headlights, I didn’t exactly shine.
But laughter turned frustration into something I could carry lightly.
Practical Steps for You
If you’re working on your own confidence after 55, here are three small steps to try this week:
Lower the bar, not your standards. On tough days, simply showing up is enough.
Plan a reward. A cup of tea, a cozy snack, or a hot bath afterward can keep you going.
Find the funny. Forgotten headlights or clumsy moves are frustrating — but they’re also reminders you’re human.
An Invitation
If you’re ready to keep building resilience and quieting those “gremlins” of self-doubt, my Mindset Mastery Guide was created for women over 55 who wish to build confidence as they step into new chapters. You can explore it here: Mindset Mastery Guide.
Final Encouragement
I didn’t shine this week. My body hurts. My brain was foggy. My steps were awkward.
But I showed up. I smiled. And I laughed at myself on the way home.
That’s what women over 55 working to build self-confidence really looks like.
It’s not about being the sharpest knife in the drawer every night. It’s about persistence, humour, and one Monday evening at a time.
So if you’ve had a week where you felt anything but brilliant, take heart. You’re still moving. You’re still showing up. And that’s how confidence grows.
Confidence after 55 is a crucial focus to help you live an intentional life.
Women over 55 can absolutely find activities that will support them in doing this.
❓ FAQ: Women Over 55 Wanting to Build Confidence
How can women over 55 start to build confidence when starting something new?
Confidence grows through action, not waiting. Building confidence starts with simply showing up — even when unsure — which creates momentum and resilience.
What are the biggest challenges to women over 55?
Common challenges include physical changes, self-doubt, and feeling “too late to start.” Brain fog, stiff joints, or clumsy beginnings are normal. What matters most is persistence and humour.
Why is community necessary for women over 55?
Confidence after 55 doesn’t grow in isolation. Sharing experiences, connecting with others, and receiving encouragement all strengthen courage and self-belief.
How does humour help women over 55 when they build confidence?
Humour lightens awkward moments. Laughing at mistakes turns them into stepping stones, rather than obstacles, helping women over 55 shift self-doubt into self-compassion.
What’s one small step for women over 55 when building confidence this week?
Start with something simple: try a new activity, talk to someone new, or commit to showing up once. Each small action helps build confidence and courage over time.
NOTE: To check out my newest article on Medium, please click this link: Dance Diaries: Week Two — Not the Sharpest Knife in the Drawer.
👉 “I thoughtfully use AI tools to stay up-to-date and craft engaging posts, but every story and insight is reviewed, refined, and shared by me — with you in mind. The lessons I share come from my personal journey and experience.”
