Free to Dance

While on my morning walk today and listening to my music, I started to dance, as I often do and realized this: I have never seen anyone of the hundreds of people I see every day with earbuds in their ears dancing. WHY?!

Why? I had to ask myself. We live in the land of the free but when it comes to our bodies we do not seem  very free. What is this social construct that keeps us from moving in ways that help us enjoy life more? What is this western sense of propriety and decorum that we must not move in ways that may make others think we are crazy?

Is it crazy to dance in the park with your headphones on or while walking down the street if a song moves you thusly?

This photo has absolutely nothing to do with this article. 

Take that social norms.

In his article Social Norms Samuel Mcleod  says that "Social Norms are unwritten rules about how to behave.  They provide us with an expected idea of how to behave in a particular social group or culture." Our culture regulates dancing to stage shows and night parties.

We walk around with serious looks on our faces and must be going somewhere specific. But I challenge you to change the norm. Be authentically yourself without the pressures of society. I have to admit that as I got closer to my building, still dancing away, when a woman and her dog walked toward me I stopped, embarrassed. I challenge myself to not feel chagrin at my authenticity.

Join me in creating a brighter more free tomorrow. I promise your soul will thank you.
















McLeod, S. A. (2008). Social roles. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/social-roles.html