The struggles of posting about pole dancing on social media

I am a pole dancer and I love to show others all the awesome possibilities that you have with a vertical piece of metal. But if I struggle with posting about it, then why do I do it?  

 Well, I have been pole dancing for over 6 years now and I did notice a big change in the pole sport. It seems that in the last few years, pole dancing finally started to be accepted as a sport (and a few weeks ago it actually became an OFFICIAL sport, woohooo!). However, when I just started out, I noticed that people had a lot of (wrongful) prejudice about pole dancing. Everyone thought it had something to do with stripping or being vulgar. Of course pole dancing is also used for other things than the sport but people must understand that the pole sport is completely different than what they see in particular movies.    

     This is me doing one of the moves I love to do in a spinning pole
         

I struggle too much about what others might think of it. Especially the ‘others’ who don’t get why pole dancing is awesome. On the other hand, I don’t know them so why do I care? But then I think… what if my future boss sees it, will he/she understand it? Does that person understand that my pole dancing skills have nothing to do with my intellect and professional skills?    

I often think: be the change you want to see in the world. And I want that pole dancing is being accepted more (without having to defend myself for things that do not really fit within the pole sport). But then I think. How far am I willing to go? Can’t someone else do it, be the change. E.g., am I willing to risk future jobs by being the change I want to see? By showing my pole skills even if it can be found when people search for my name? And then I think: No, I must do it myself if I am the one who wants to see a change. It’s not fair to think that others will do it for you. So I am staying true to myself. And let’s be honest, pole dancing is awesome!!  

 Pole dancing is so normal in my world, on my social media. But I must realize that this is not the case for everyone.  

 I am doing what I want to do and if people get to know me, they will understand. And if not… well.. then not haha. I don’t want to be held back, and the person who’s holding me back the most is myself by having thoughts that might not even exist. Crazy right?   

So let this be a reminder to share what you feel passionate about and don’t let others tell you (or make you feel) not to!