I finally feel creative again!!!!

I finally feel creative again 

I was recently asked to be part of new choreography as part of a friend's university graduation performance. I was very excited to be asked and be part of something like this. Although my schedule is already very full, I knew I had to make time to be involved in this process. I’ve recently been struggling with why I do this job. I sometimes feel like I’ve hit a wall and there’s nothing else for me to do within my practice. Obviously, this is nonsense and there’s always so much to do, but I started to see dancing as a job and not a passion for the first time…. I've definitely lost a sense of purpose over the last year. I’ve suffered an injury that has meant I haven’t been able to perform or dance as well as I would want and that can be a hard thing to deal with. Starting this course and having a new focus has really helped and now to be part of the creative process, something I haven’t done for a while, has been inspiring. As a ballet dancer, I don’t often get to be within the creative process. A lot of what we perform in my company is classical works or ballets I’ve performed many times. Although I always try to find new ideas and feeling when coming back to a role, it’s also nice to be involved and create a new piece. I feel creative and like my job matters for the first time in a while. I know many of us have felt this before and it’s just part of the ups and downs of our industry. 

While creating this new work, my friend asked for involvement from the dancers, to give ideas and suggestions wherever we want. I love working with some so open and willing to listen to others' ideas. While working on a pas de deux I felt confident to say I love the idea but it’s very uncomfortable and not easy for me to help my partner like this, maybe we can slightly change the grip and make it more comfortable. I don’t always feel like I can speak so freely while creating something new, but I’m grateful to be working with someone so accommodating. 

In such a creative industry, I don’t always feel like I’ve been able to express my creativity… Am I the only one who feels this way?