Lessons from the Dance Floor: Women Over 55 Embracing Change
Learning dance with others in a studio isn’t just about steps — it’s about laughter, connection, and the courage to be a beginner together.
Week Four on the dance floor wasn’t easy: sore knees, old habits, and low energy. But dance has become my keystone — teaching me that for women over 55, embracing change, persistence and honesty matter more than perfection. This week, I share how pain, laughter, and community keep me showing up.
A Preamble: Women Over 55 Embracing Change
Week Four of my adult jazz class was a turning point. Dance is becoming more than movement. It’s becoming my keystone — the thing holding together all the other pieces of my journey.
This is the story of women over 55 embracing change — through sore knees, old habits, new victories, and the lessons that spill from the dance floor into everyday life.
Musings on the Way to Class
It was a warm, beautiful evening. The quarter moon was already visible against the fading daylight. Hawks circled above the fields. The apple trees glowed red, even in the drought.
But inside, I felt heavy. My confidence was low, and my body felt lethargic.
Last week’s class buoyed me so much that I took four long walks in nature — one stretching over 7,000 steps, which amazed me. But then, I comforted myself with too many carbs and slipped back into familiar patterns. The number on the scale moved up and down, but not far enough to show progress. An old, frustrating pattern.
I journaled about it, and my biggest takeaway was clear: I need to revise what I’m doing. Old habits aren’t serving me. And though I know better, it’s hard to change. That, I realize, is what this challenge is all about.
Still, there were victories:
Lunch with Jen and Michael.
Tea and half a sandwich at a café — people-watching at its best.
Four walks in nature.
Letting go of an old friend whose negativity had weighed me down.
A cleaner house, a clearer desk.
Signing up for the next dance session.
Dance is becoming my anchor, my keystone. It’s keeping me honest about what I want and how I want my life to unfold.
It was a warm, beautiful evening. The quarter moon was already visible against the fading daylight. Hawks circled above the fields. The apple trees glowed red, even in the drought.
But inside, I felt heavy. My confidence was low, and my body felt lethargic.
I journaled about it, and my biggest takeaway was clear: I need to revise what I’m doing. Old habits aren’t serving me. And though I know better, it’s hard to change. That, I realize, is what this challenge is all about.
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 Four.
In the Studio
Class was tough. Hurt, hurt, hurt. Pain, pain, pain.
I hadn’t stretched or strengthened during the week, and it showed. I forgot my Advil. My right leg and knee ached. My energy stayed dull. I was too much “in my head” and realized too late that I needed to centre myself.
I couldn’t fully feel the music, which made me tentative. And yet, I still had fun. I enjoyed Jen’s teaching. I enjoyed my classmates — supportive, encouraging, and kind. A classmate was absent, and I noticed. That says something.
It wasn’t just me struggling; many of us found the sequences challenging. As Jen reminded us: “We get tangled, and then we get it.” That’s dance. That’s life. We loop, then we untangle.
Even though nothing new was introduced, it felt like another layer of growth had been added.
Class was tough. Hurt, hurt, hurt. Pain, pain, pain.
I couldn’t fully feel the music, which made me tentative. And yet, I still had fun. I enjoyed Jen’s teaching. I enjoyed my classmates — supportive, encouraging, and kind.
Lessons from Week Four
1. Change Is Hard, but Possible
Old habits cling. Patterns repeat. But the act of showing up proves I’m committed. For women over 55 accepting change, the lesson is this: progress comes not from never slipping, but from getting back up with honesty and compassion.
2. Pain Is a Teacher Too
My lack of stretching and preparation made the class harder. Pain is a reminder, not just a punishment. It teaches me what I must change — to strengthen, to stretch, to prepare. It’s part of building consistency after 55.
💡 For more on how movement improves both body and mood, see Harvard Health on exercise and mental well-being.
3. Community Softens the Struggle
I wasn’t alone in my frustration. That solidarity matters. Confidence grows when others are laughing, struggling, and learning beside you. It’s one of the most powerful life lessons for women over 55.
💡 Research also shows that laughter and social connection boost resilience. See Psychology Today on humour and resilience.
4. Keystone Habits Shape Everything Else
Dance is my keystone. It motivates me to journal, go for walks, eat healthier, and think more critically. For women over 55, finding a keystone habit — something that holds the rest of their life together — is essential for resilience.
💡 For more profound insight into why joy and resilience matter, explore Greater Good Science Center’s definition of joy.
Old habits cling. Patterns repeat.
For women over 55, finding a keystone habit — something that holds the rest of their life together — is essential for resilience.
Musings on the Way Back
The quarter moon was bright, guiding me home. The smell of smoke drifted from a nearby wildfire — a sobering reminder of fragility. My phone buzzed with evacuation alerts, grounding me in the present.
I had forgotten my water bottle, so I borrowed a church mug that read “Jesus.” Somehow, it felt symbolic. Sometimes we carry what we need in surprising containers.
Despite the pain and the heaviness, I felt good. Good for going. Good for showing up. Good for committing. Week Four. Not a fight. Just part of who I am becoming.
Next week will be better. I’ll stretch. I’ll strengthen. I’ll snack with intention. I’ll keep showing up because this is not just about dance. It’s about life.
Despite the pain and the heaviness, I felt good. Good for going. Good for showing up. Good for committing. Week Four. Not a fight. Just part of who I am becoming.
Next week will be better. I’ll stretch. I’ll strengthen. I’ll snack with intention. I’ll keep showing up because this is not just about dance. It’s about life.
Practical Takeaways for You
If you’re working on embracing new habits after 55, here are three ways to start this week:
Name your keystone. What one practice holds your life together? Walking, journaling, volunteering, painting? Protect it.
Prepare for the pain. Stretch, rest, and fuel your body. Preparation is part of intentional living.
Untangle the loops. Remember Jen’s wisdom: we get tangled, then we get it. Loops are natural; what matters is learning your way out.
For more strategies, please read my blog on Decluttering for Downsizing and explore my Guide to Intentional Living.
An Invitation
If you’re ready to start navigating change after 55, my Master Your Next Chapter Guide offers step-by-step support to help you shift from old habits to new beginnings. Explore it here: Master Your Next Chapter.
Final Encouragement
I may not have been at my best this week. My body ached. My mind was tangled. But I went. I danced. I learned.
That’s what women over 55 embracing change looks like. Not instant transformation, but persistence, honesty, and commitment.
So if you’re feeling stuck in old habits or weighed down by patterns that won’t budge, know this: change is possible. One class, one habit, one moonlit drive at a time.
❓ FAQ: Women Over 55 Embracing Change
Why is it hard for women over 55 to welcome change?
Old habits are deeply ingrained, and physical or emotional hurdles can feel discouraging. However, women over 55 who are embracing new things while letting go of old habits can take it one step at a time, focusing on persistence over perfection.
What role does community play in supporting change after 55?
Community offers encouragement, accountability, and laughter. For women over 55, resilience is enhanced by being surrounded by supportive people, which softens the struggle and keeps momentum alive.
How does dance help women over 55 embrace change?
Dance combines movement, music, and social connection. It challenges the body while uplifting the spirit, making it a powerful keystone habit for embracing new habits after 55.
What’s one practical step to build consistency after 55?
Choose a keystone habit — a single activity like walking, journaling, or stretching — and make it non-negotiable. Consistency builds confidence and fuels intentional living.
How do setbacks affect women over 55 who are navigating change?
Setbacks are natural. They teach us what to adjust, whether it’s self-care, preparation, or mindset. What matters most is showing up again, even after a difficult day.
NOTE: To see a different version I published on Medium, please click this link: Dance Diaries: Week Four — Dance Is My Keystone
👉 I thoughtfully use AI tools to polish my writing, but every story comes from my lived experience. The dance class is real, the laughter is mine, and the lessons are shared with you in the hope they spark joy and reflection in your own journey.