Navigating Competitive Friendships In Irish Dancing

Whether you're doing your first reel or preparing for the World Championships, Irish dancing is a fantastic way to express yourself, stay active, and make amazing friends. But let's be real—sometimes, it can be tough to balance friendship and competition. Here’s a guide to help you navigate those tricky waters and keep your friendships strong, even when you’re both aiming for the same goals.

How to Navigate Competitive Friendships in Irish Dancing

1. Celebrate Each Other's Successes

One of the best parts of being friends with your dance mates is sharing in each other’s victories. When your friend wins a trophy or masters a difficult move, celebrate with them! Their success doesn’t take away from yours. Being genuinely happy for each other strengthens your bond and makes the journey more enjoyable for everyone.

2. Keep the Competition Friendly

Remember that while competition can be fierce, it should also be fun and motivating. Use it as a way to push each other to be better dancers. Cheer each other on during class and feises. Healthy competition can make you both improve, but it’s important to keep it respectful and supportive.

3. Communicate Openly

If you ever feel like the competitive aspect of your friendship is becoming a bit too intense, talk about it. Open and honest communication is key. Let your friend know how you’re feeling without blaming or accusing them. Chances are, they’ll appreciate your honesty and you can work together to find a balance.

4. Focus on Your Personal Goals

While it’s great to support your friends, remember that your biggest competition is yourself - this is something we talk about a lot in Move With Meg. Focus on your personal goals and improvements. Celebrate your own progress and set challenges for yourself that aren’t solely based on beating someone else. This helps you stay motivated whilst also reducing the pressure and stress you might feel from comparisons.

5. Practise Kindness and Empathy

Sometimes your friend might be having a rough day and another day, you might. Be kind and understanding. If they’re struggling with new choreography or feeling down after a bad feis result, offer a listening ear or some words of encouragement. Being empathetic strengthens your friendship and creates a positive environment for both of you.

6. Balance Dance with Other Activities

Irish dancing is a big part of your life, but it’s important to have other interests too. Spend time together doing non-dance related activities. Whether it’s watching a movie, going shopping, or having a sleepover, these moments help you see each other as more than just competitors.

7. Handle Disappointments Gracefully

There will be times when you don’t place as well as you hoped or when your friend wins and you don’t. It’s okay to feel disappointed, but try to handle it gracefully. Congratulate your friend and take some time to reflect on your own performance. You’re allowed to feel sad for you and happy for them at the same time - it doesn’t have to be either one or the other.

8. Support Each Other's Growth

You’re all on your own unique dance journeys. Encourage each other to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and grow as dancers. Whether it’s doing more work at home, working on your mindset, or attempting that cool new choreography. Supporting each other’s growth fosters a positive and inspiring environment. We learned a lot about this in the Meg Talks - Irish Dance Podcast episode we did with Sophie and Rebecca. 

Navigating competitive friendships in Irish dancing isn’t always easy, but with understanding, communication, and a supportive attitude, you can build strong and lasting relationships. Together, you can achieve incredible things, both on and off the dance floor.