Doesn't feel real...

Doesn't Feel Real

It's been a few months since I've written a blog. To be honest, I don't even know who's reading these anymore, if anyone! 😂 But I thought I'd sit down and fill you in on what's been going on.

As many of you will have seen, especially those who follow me on social media, Smalltown Boy has just gone from strength to strength. It's honestly been better than I could ever have imagined.

It's taken a lot of hard work, and nothing has necessarily been handed to me. Yes, I've been given some amazing opportunities along the way, but I've also worked bloody hard to make the most of them.

One thing I've learnt, and learnt quite quickly, is that you can spend an awful lot of time waiting for things to happen, when actually, sometimes you've just got to get up and make them happen yourself.

I'm just hoping it continues to grow. We've already got dates coming in for next year, which is amazing, and I still find myself looking at the diary sometimes thinking, is this actually happening?

But something else has been on my mind recently, and it's probably one of the reasons I've called this blog Doesn't Feel Real.

I've been teaching dance for around 16 years now. SIXTEEN YEARS! Where on earth has that time gone?

The strange thing is, in my head, so many of the kids I used to teach are still seven, eight or nine years old. Except they're not. They're now in their late teens or early twenties, driving cars, getting engaged, working and living their own lives.

And that just blows my mind.

I've bumped into a few former students recently, and it's such a strange feeling seeing these little kids I once knew now standing in front of me as grown adults. One of the drummers who deps for Smalltown Boy is actually someone I used to teach when he was tiny! How mad is that?

It's lovely, though.

Every now and then I'll get a message from a mum or dad telling me that their son has passed his driving test, their daughter has got engaged, or that they've found an old Just J Dance T-shirt in a drawer and tried it on, only to realise how ridiculously small it is now!

And I love hearing things like that.

It's funny because to me it really does feel like yesterday that I was teaching nearly 150 kids a week. Rushing between classes, putting shows together, sorting costumes, choreography and everything else that came with it.

And whilst my life has taken a slightly different direction these days, I haven't forgotten any of it.

I do sometimes wonder about doing the odd dance workshop again. The problem is, the kids I once taught aren't really kids anymore! Some might not even be interested in dancing these days, and I'd probably be starting all over again with a completely new generation.

But who knows? Maybe I'll organise something towards the end of this year, or perhaps something a little special next year. Never say never.

Right now, though, my main focus is Smalltown Boy and continuing to make the show the very best it can be. There's always something I want to change, improve or add, and I don't think that'll ever stop.

Away from work, this year has been pretty incredible too.

I've had the most amazing summer, travelled to some fantastic places, made some lovely new friends and created memories that I'll hopefully be talking about for years to come.

I also celebrated my birthday in Gran Canaria with some wonderful people, before coming home and performing on Canal Street in Manchester on my actual birthday. Not a bad way to celebrate getting another year older!

And looking ahead, next year is already shaping up to be a really exciting one. There are a few things happening that I can't quite talk about just yet, but hopefully I'll be able to share more very soon.

I'll leave that one there for now! 😉

I suppose the reason for writing all of this is that sometimes you get so caught up in what's happening next that you forget to look back at how far you've actually come.

Sixteen years of teaching, hundreds of kids passing through my classes, shows, performances, friendships, places I've visited and people I've met.

And somehow, it all feels like it's happened in the blink of an eye.

Life is strange like that, isn't it?

Anyway, if you've made it this far, thank you for reading. Whether you've followed what I've been doing for years or you've only recently come across me, I really do appreciate the support.

And if there's one thing I'm reminding myself of lately, it's this:

Don't spend so much time looking forward to what's next that you forget to enjoy what's happening right now. One day, these will be the moments you wish you could go back to.

Much love,

Jay x ❤️