What are some Cons of Dancing?

If you've already checked out my post on some of the pros of dancing, here is part two in which I outline some of the biggest cons I've experienced in the industry. Some days, these cons will absolutely feel like too much to handle, and I won't sugarcoat that and lie to you. I've had moments where I questioned if the industry was still right for me. It isn't always thousand-dollar nights and glamour. Dancing is not for the faint of heart or thin-skinned. Be prepared and educated on both sides of this line of work before you enter it.

• UNSTABLE INCOME: While as dancers we do have the opportunity to make large sums of money in a single shift or week, there is also the very real possibility of leaving in the negative or not hitting your daily/weekly goal. You might be thinking I'm lying, but I promise you, I'm not. In the club, money will undeniably ebb and flow. You'll experience slow seasons or shifts, times when the club is broke busy (packed but with cheapskates who aren't spending a dime), and days that just are not your day, period. It is smart to be as prepared as you can for the times when money is tight and not flowing the way you'd like. A supplemental income provided by a side hustle or civilian job can be a smart way to make sure you're financially stable despite a tough time at the club. Planning ahead and having savings set aside is something I cannot recommend enough. When I first began dancing, I made it a priority to have at least 3 months of bills and rent saved up in case of emergency.
• PREDATORY PEOPLE: Yep, I'm going into this topic. You'll meet a wide variety of people in the club. A good portion of them will be decent people who won't give you any cause for concern. However, you will meet your fair share of creeps, assholes, and people with a shady agenda. It's unfortunately true that not every customer, dancer or staff member you meet will be kind, upstanding and trustworthy. There will be customers who try to push your boundaries and touch you or assault you. There will be dancers who are recruiting for P's or trafficking. There will be staff members who are in positions of power that they abuse to get what they want. While I have met some very wonderful, caring and trustworthy people while dancing, I've also come into contact with plenty I wish I could forget. Remember, you're there to make money and go home, not become best friends with everyone. Be mindful of how much you share with anybody at work, and please, watch your back! Always be aware of your surroundings, and if something feels off in your gut about someone, trust it.
• JUDGMENT/EXCOMMUNICATION: Not everyone is going to be accepting of your choice to be a dancer. Friends, family, coworkers and romantic partners may all potentially have mixed feelings and thoughts about the industry and your place in it. I know some people who have lost jobs, friends, relationships and family members due to their job as a dancer. While it is your choice to dance, not everyone will agree with or support you, and that's just something you'll have to be prepared to deal with. If I'm being honest, I think it's smart to tell as few people as you can, because our industry is so marginalized and demonized. I am in no way telling you to be ashamed of being a dancer, but for your own safety and peace, it can be best to try and keep this job on the down low.
• DRUGS/ALCOHOL: The industry is a hot spot for feeding addictions. Fast money and the nighttime hours can make uppers seem like a great way to keep your energy up and the party going. Alcohol can feel like the best thing in the world to help you loosen up and get to talking with anyone and everyone. I'm going to tell you right now, if you cannot do this job sober, don't do it at all. Addictions of all kinds can take you down so quickly, and they're extremely difficult to pull out of. Drugs and alcohol will almost always be readily available at any club with little to no effort to find. I promise you; money can always be made when you're sober. I've worked under the influence plenty of times and not once has it made me feel like a better dancer or salesperson. Typically, I'd end up getting too tired or too anxious depending on what I was on, and I'd cut my night short and go home. This is in no way a point I'm making to bash or judge anyone battling addiction - it's simply a warning to avoid getting taken down that road. 
• BODY IMAGE ISSUES: While dancing can absolutely give you confidence and make you feel sexy, beautiful and desirable; the opposite can also be true. Comparison is the thief of joy - remember that. Working around loads of beautiful women all day can leave many of us looking in the mirror and wondering why we don't feel like we measure up to another dancer. Some words of wisdom I'd like to impart here are to keep in mind that every customer likes something different. You may not look like Diamond or Kelsi, but you are beautiful, sexy and desirable for your own unique qualities. Dancing does involve some degree of looking well put together, sexy and presentable, but it also has a lot to do with personality. Do your best to focus on how well you interact with customers rather than comparing yourself to someone else and focusing on things you don't like about yourself. We are our own worst critics - and if there really is something you'd like to improve about your look, go about it in a healthy and safe way!
• INJURIES: Due to all of the movement on stage and pole tricks that we do as dancers, you can expect some injuries. This can range from bruises and scrapes to dislocations and fractures. I speak from personal experience about all of those injuries, too. While on the lower end of the spectrum, some injuries can just be annoying and painful for a couple days, others can put you out of work altogether for weeks at a time. My advice is to remember you don't need to push yourself to do anything crazy on stage for attention. Practice at home, take classes, and stretch before work. If there are pole tricks you really want to learn, I'd recommend finding a class or at the very least another dancer who is very experienced in pole work to help you learn in a safe way. Also, don't feel pressured to jump into 8" heels on your first day, wear what you feel comfortable in and work your way up if you wish.
• LACK OF SCHEDULE: Due to the fact that many clubs do not require you to work a scheduled, number of days, it can be easy to get off track and skip multiple days of work - especially if you've just had a really profitable night or week. While this freedom to take time off when you want/need to is great, it can also be a liability. Consistency is key to success in this industry. A fairly set schedule helps ensure you are maximizing your potential income and showing up as a reliable dancer for your regular customers. Take days off when you need to but try not to make weeks and weeks of time off a habit - it can be a hard one to break and will ultimately hurt more than help. 

Like I said in the last blog, there are more than just these cons to consider, but I've found that these are some of the ones that stick out to me the most. I wanted to be as transparent and real as possible about the hardships we as dancers often experience. Whether or not the pros outweigh the cons will ultimately be something you decide, but hopefully this has given you some things to think over before you make your choice. 

Please comment below and let me know if you have any questions or want to share any of the major cons you've experienced in the industry that others may benefit from knowing!