Living With Grace-learning to have grace with ourselves

For those of you who have followed my journey on social media these past few years, you are already aware that I have been struggling with my eating disorder for quite some time, which has ultimately led me to become injured and to stop dancing for the time being.

For those of you who have followed my journey on social media these past few years, you are already aware that I have been struggling with my eating disorder for quite some time, which has ultimately led me to become injured and to stop dancing...

Injury aside, focusing on my health has been crucial for my recovery.

During the inception of this process, I lost the desire to create, something that has always been really important to me, from Youtube to this blog. I didn't recognize myself anymore and had no energy to do anything - being both mentally and physically drained.

Unfortunately, as I continuously cut out more and more foods, I also cut out friendships and relationships in my life. In the process, I lost major aspects of myself as an individual.

I was also cutting out ...major aspects of myself as an individual.

Starting recovery, for real, and having to step outside the studio for the first time since I was four years old, introduced a range of emotions. I have truly never had -or rather given- myself the time to nurture a relationship with myself. Until recently, I had no idea who Grace McCann was outside of "Grace the ballerina."

 I had no idea who Grace McCann was outside of "Grace the ballerina."

A major obstacle for me in everyday life has always been how I perceived myself. Eating disorder aside, I've always found it challenging to accept myself.

I've realized I am much more than "just" a dancer

I've decided to call this next phase in my life LivingWithGrace as opposed to the former, "DancingwithGrace." While dance will always be in my life, I've realized I am much more than "just" a dancer and that I have contributions to offer this world beyond ballet.

I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a teacher. I am an artist. I am a creator. I am a *hopefully* influential role model. I love things unrelated to ballet.... and that should be normalized!

I am beyond grateful to continue my passion for the beauty of the art form by teaching the next generation of dancers. However, I am well aware of the negative impact the dance industry can have on growing minds. My goal is to create a nurturing environment, not just for my students, but for any young souls out there who happen to stumble upon my page. I want to encourage healthy relationships with food and above all else with oneself. Sometimes we forget to prioritize our own needs and instead start living a life we "think" we should by societal standards.

My goal is to create a nurturing environment, not just for my students, but for any young souls out there who happen to stumble upon my page.

I thank you all for your continuous love and support, both online and behind the scenes, as I grapple with reclaiming my true self. I hope you find safety on my platform and beyond that an opportunity to create a life you want to live.

...to inspire you to create a life you want to live

I've spent so much of my life trying to achieve this unattainable, "perfect" version of myself that doesn't exist, and unfortunately that means I've deprived myself of many of life's enjoyments.

Obviously, overcoming these challenges within are certainly easier said than done, but I am inspired everyday by those around me to keep pushing through. This week in particular, was the first time I began to feel confident in myself for choosing to commit to my recovery.

I cannot express enough gratitude for your continued support and faith in me! I hope, through this page and my content, to give back to the same community that has believed in me over the years.

My experiences have certainly shaped me into the person I am becoming and I promise to share all the discoveries I make as I go through this transition in my life.

Let's all learn to have grace within ourselves.

Grace

photography by Noel Valero 2021