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Last month, we showered love on others for Valentine’s Day, but now that we’re stepping into spring, it’s time to turn that love inward. March and April bring fresh energy, renewal, and growth—so let’s embrace that by giving ourselves some much-needed appreciation on our pole journey. And that starts with one simple but powerful truth: stop comparing yourself to others.

We’ve all been there. Watching someone at the studio or on social media, effortlessly executing gravity-defying tricks, flowing seamlessly through transitions, making everything look so easy. And before we even realize it, we start that dangerous inner dialogue—Why can’t I move like that? Why am I not as strong? I’ll never be that good.

But let’s take a step back and add some perspective. That “effortless” dancer you admire? They might have 15 years of ballet training under their belt. Maybe they were a competitive gymnast before they even touched a pole. Perhaps they’ve been in sports since they were three years old, unknowingly preparing their body for pole before they even knew what it was. Comparing your progress to theirs is like comparing a sapling to a fully grown tree. You’re both growing—just at different stages, with different roots.

Pole dance is a uniquely personal experience. Some of us come in with zero athletic background, some with dance experience, some with strength but no flexibility, some with flexibility but no strength. And no matter where we start, we all bring our own challenges, insecurities, and breakthroughs.

Instead of measuring yourself against someone else’s chapter 20 when you’re on chapter 3, focus on your growth. Think back to your first class—what was impossible then that feels second nature now? That’s progress. That’s worth celebrating.

When you see an “elite” dancer nailing every move, remember: you’re only seeing the final product. You don’t see the years of conditioning, the injuries, the setbacks, the frustration, or the days they felt like quitting. You don’t see the hours of training, the discipline, the bruises, and the tears that got them to where they are. Pole dance is hard, no matter who you are. Every dancer you admire has struggled, even if you never saw it.

Instead of looking at someone else’s strengths and feeling discouraged, look at your own and feel empowered. Maybe your splits aren’t there yet, but damn, your shoulder mounts are looking strong! Maybe that aerial invert is still a work in progress, but your stage presence is fire. You bring something unique to your dance, something no one else can replicate—you.

So this spring, let’s plant seeds of self-love and nurture our own growth. Let’s celebrate what our bodies can do, honor the progress we’ve already made, and trust that with time, consistency, and love, we will bloom in our own way.

The only person you need to compete with is yesterday’s version of yourself. And trust me, they’d be pretty damn proud of how far you’ve come.

Now go dance, shine, and give yourself the love you deserve. 💜✨