Pointe Shoes

My object of choice is a pair of pointe shoes. For years, these have played a pivotal role in my life and my identity. I started dancing when I was 3 years old, and over time it became increasingly important to me—an outlet to let go of stress, a place to make new friends, a deep passion. My dance studio holds so many of these memories and my friends, who became like family over time. At the end of 2020, a rough year for my health, I was finally ready to go on pointe. The first time I tried on a pair of pointe shoes was surreal. I was lucky to share this important moment with family members, who recognized how important it was for me. It was a big accomplishment that symbolized the time and effort that I put into dance. This hobby was always what I was known for, and what I associated myself with. So when I stopped dancing about a year ago when my health problems began to get in the way, I didn’t know who I was anymore. Migrating away from a place and people that I spent so much time with started a new journey for me, with many questions— who am I without dance? What other aspects of my identity exist without it? Should I go back? I’m searching for my identity, and I’m not quite sure who I am right now. 

– R

Relationship:  unknown unknown