What I’ve Learnt since Starting Beyond the Barre
When I first imagined Beyond the Barre, it was just a concept; a passion project combining everything I care about: dance, creative community, teaching, and digital storytelling. I knew I wanted it to be more than just a website or a portfolio. I wanted to build something that reflected real questions, real experiences, and real needs - especially for young dancers navigating a complicated, often unforgiving industry.
This blog is a reflection on that process. What started as a university brief has become something deeply personal - a platform rooted in care, reflection, and intention.
Lessons in Letting Go of Perfection
If there’s one thing this project taught me, it’s that perfection is not the goal - presence is. There were moments where I felt overwhelmed by the pressure to “get it right” - to say something meaningful, look professional, cover every angle. But the most honest and impactful work came when I let go of trying to impress, and focused instead on what I genuinely wanted to say.
Ironically, building a platform that questions perfectionism helped me notice the ways I still hold onto it. The creative freedom came when I allowed myself to be in process, just like the dancers I’ve written this for.
The Emotional Weight of Telling the Truth
Some of these blogs were hard to write. Not because I didn’t have the words, but because I felt the weight of them, particularly when writing about eating disorders, injury, or studio culture. I’ve lived parts of these stories. I’ve seen others go through them. And putting those thoughts into structured, research-backed writing required more than just memory: it required clarity and care.
But I also found empowerment in turning lived experience into knowledge. By framing these issues through both personal reflection and academic research, I felt like I was doing what Beyond the Barre set out to do: speak honestly, but offer something constructive.
Learning to Work across Mediums
This was my first time designing a full platform that integrated writing, visual content, and video. I had to learn how to think across disciplines - to not just write blogs, but consider layout, accessibility, SEO, and how each element contributes to the whole experience.
I now have a deeper appreciation for digital media as a space of choreography in its own right -shaping how people move through information, interact with ideas, and feel connected to content.
What This Project Has Become to Me
Beyond the Barre is no longer just an academic submission for my final year university project. It’s become a container for ideas I care about, a space for advocacy, and a small but intentional contribution to a more thoughtful dance culture.
It’s also reminded me of why I love this field - not for its perfection or prestige, but for its ability to connect, transform, and move us. Literally and metaphorically.
Summary: The Work Is Ongoing
This isn’t a finished product. It’s the start of something -and like any practice, it will grow, shift, and change. What I’ve built here is just one version of what Beyond the Barre can be. But it’s a version I’m proud of, because it’s honest, considered, and made with care.