Erin Armstrong @thevanishinglake69 - Tumblr Blog

irishfolklore-deactivated201912

I love being in college because there are no actual adults around so everyone is just going around bullshitting their way through basic tasks. Like I can be like “I think I got better from my cold because I ate an orange yesterday” and everyone is like “Yeah makes sense” and somebody could just be like “I’m gonna put my pillow in the washing machine to clean it” and everyone’s like “Sounds like a great idea John”

brianttran-deactivated20120224

Reblog or your mom will die in 928 seconds.

ovod0se

I love my mom.

I am risking nothing

I AM SORRY FOLLOWERS, I LOVE MY MOMMY

Will not risk.

sorry followers :(

whatgracelikes-deactivated20190

omg im so glad to se so many people love their mummy

ameriagrae

Why’re you being mean to my mum?

larryismyhallelujah-blog

goddamn it

lollie-pond-deactivated20150728

Nope. Googled it. 15 minuets. Nope. Not taking any chances

steampoweredplayer

Koop

twirliest

This has 1.2 million reblogs … Ps not riskin it

nathanvj

1.4 almost ps not risking it

queenprotein-deactivated2016012

Fuck this post

i-likethesummer-rain

2.5 million notes I hate myself

froot-lupul

I reblogged this twice now

insidethe99-blog

I’m so sorry this isn’t b99 related and this isn’t real but I can’t not skip this I’m sorry

mayannaise-hart-deactivated2021

Not taking a fucking chance

lethamber

Sorry, guys, but Im not taking a chance

celestialkeyprincess

No chances… She’s out… And she must be protected.

bitchwithwifivevo

How dare you

riarkling

Whatcha doin to me Farkle!

chillyclarke-deactivated2018010

i can’t risk it

sorry babes my moms just my favorite person ever

prettylittleliarsfan901-deactiv

Sorry I can’t risk it

missprincessdancingsunshine

Fuck sorry guys I love my mom

incoherentlyblogging

Omg I hate these things but I am paranoid. So sorry guys.

feels-ships-lunars

2.8 million notes

CANT RISK IT

trapbvby

Sorry guys

desolves

sorry 😩

mexicanthighs-deactivated201605

IM NOT RISKING IT

gorillattacks-deactivated201703

I did, my mom is STILL DEAD. Works.

faggottt

3.3 million notes GURLLLLLL

fuckthisbloganditscurses

Happiness Will Come To You.

12goblins

when tho

fuckthisbloganditscurses

When You Least Expect It. Probably Late March

wizardshark

reblog for happiness to come for you in late march!

zigxortega

themissingbeat

Reblog and you will recall at your next major

planxtydrury69

REBLOG AND AT YOUR NEXT MAJOR YOU WILL DANCE YOUR BEST AND MAKE YOURSELF PROUD

drunkengauger69

LAST TIME I PROMISE…. Prolly not tho

diaryofagypsykid

Just cause nationals training is killing me rn

thehumoursofbandon

themissingbeat I hate you for this post

babyredzz

Rebloging because sat is my last feis of the year and I need luck

claddaghstrong

Would love a recall… But in my category I highly doubt that’s gonna happen :/

flips-wigs-and-jigs

Every time

theglasgowreel-deactivated20210

Dang this post doesn’t mess around. It ALWAYS works

lodgeroad109

@theglasgowreel I just posted this and now I got to do it again!!!!!!!!

theglasgowreel-deactivated20210

YES YOU HAVE TO!!! You must for worlds!!

lodgeroad109

Ahhhhh!!!! Don’t remind me of worlds!!!! I am most likely competing again my teachers sister who is currently 3rd!!!! I keep having dreams of being on stage with her!!!!!!!!!! Recalling is the dream right!!!!!!

theglasgowreel-deactivated20210

But now you will recall because of this post!!!! It works every time I swear!!! Besides, it doesn’t matter if you dance next to her because you’re so fabulous that it doesn’t matter if you dance with the winner or the person in last 😉

planxtydavis109

Werlds

lodgeroad109

Ahhhhh I’m trying not to freak out!!!

lifeinthefeislane

^^^^

glitzjigsandsass

the amount of notes on this holy shit people

rorypatm-deactivated20220505

ok worlds please

drunkengauger69

Haha

humusofbandon67

Lol my first world’s I wish

tabithaheger

Idk when my next major is but hey can’t jinx it

claddaghstrong

Here we go againnnnnn

lodgeroad109

^^^

drunkengauger69

Anotha one🔑

slipjigtreblejig

behindthezenes-deactivated20210

Note: I know this is a long post, but PLEASE read it to the end. I promise there is an important message that many of us could use right now when dealing with negativity online.

Over the last few months, I’ve seen many posts or Sarahah submissions to other dancers that discredit their achievements based on one factor - the size of their category. It first started when I was younger, but I’m noticing more aggression and anger towards one another as of late. Why does it bother me?

Because it’s frustrating.

“It was a fluke.”

“You had a small group which only makes it easier.”

“You only placed because all the good dancers have retired or quit.”

“If _____ wasn’t injured, he/she never would have won.”

“I should have placed. He or she shouldn’t have been in there.”

“You’re not good enough to be standing up on the stage with the rest of the top dancers.”

These are just some of the statements that are spreading online - particularly Instagram due to the use of Sarahah accounts to answer anonymous questions. Have you ever wondered why champ dancers are no longer as active on Tumblr? While I can’t speak for my fellow dancers, I do believe that a major contributor to this lack of activity is the negativity online. The waters have grown murky and there’s no “best way” to navigate them anymore.

The statements I noted above are just examples of what I have seen or experienced. They are examples of the hate or venom that are beginning to take root and spread. Like so many other sports, this is the dark side of our own.

There’s jealousy towards those who reach success. There’s bitterness when one doesn’t achieve the results he or she desires. There’s anger and lashing out in an attempt to temper the bitter disappointment one feels after missing their personal goal.

Arguing the Numbers Are Easier

Having a smaller group does not mean it’s any easier. I personally believe that it makes it much more difficult for a variety of reasons; some of which are fewer recaller positions, increased emotional stress and anxiety, and much more.

It does not matter if a dancer is from a smaller group. What does matter is that he or she achieved an incredible feat - one that nobody can take away from them. That dancer earned it on that given day in front of that panel of judges.

Unfortunately, this is something that will often be attacked by other dancers. From my experience, and please note that this is just a generalization on my experience with dancing, I find that most times angry statements are made by an individual who is disappointed with their own placement or lack thereof.

Are we allowed to have moments where we are mad? Yes. However, we must recognize that there is a time and place for it. If I’m upset, I save it for a private moment out of the public eye.

Personally, I deal with my moments of weakness in the shower at home. My stress, anger, fear and confusion will come out in full force in the confines of my shower. Why do it there? Because it’s not fair to take it out on anyone else and I can release it without it affecting anyone else.

Spines and Sportsmanship

I have INVICTUS tattooed on my spine between my shoulder blades. It’s Latin for “unconquered.” Why do I have it there? Because it’s a reminder that no matter how bad a situation may be or seem, I was raised to have a spine and come out OK. I’d like to clarify that this wasn’t tattooed for dance, but rather after a seriously troubling time in my life where I came out stronger and happier.

It also happens to be the name of my favourite poem by William Ernest Henley - a poem of which the two final lines are relatable to this discussion.

“I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

What does this have to do with the current situation in Irish dance and sportsmanship? We, as dancers, have the ability to change the outcome at any given moment. We are the masters of our own fate; we can decide when it’s time to make changes to our training, attitude and perspective to achieve our goals.

I remember my mother telling me her one cardinal rule at my First Feis. “If I ever catch you crying or throwing a fit because you didn’t get the place you wanted, I’m pulling you out of dance for good.”

To provide some context, my mother said this to me after a little girl around my age screeched and sobbed under a table after not winning her trophy competition. Her mother was trying to coax her out from under the table. My mother made it clear to me that day that I would congratulate whomever won the 1st place trophy and be happy for them.

I’ve seen dancers break or smash trophies on the ground because they weren’t as pretty as the winner’s trophy. I’ve seen parents lament to their kids about how they should have won and how the judges are blind. I’ve heard kids walk up to other kids saying that “you stole MY trophy from me.”

The sad reality is that we are in a day and age where everyone expects a medal or ribbon for showing up. It’s a sport - those who have worked hard and properly execute the sport to the best of their ability will be rewarded. It’s not a personal slight by the judges. It’s a competition.

Is it ok to be passionate about winning? Yes. Is it ok to be so determined that you’ll practice your butt off to achieve your goals? Yes.

Is it ok to berate or belittle another dancer for achieving what you wanted? No. Is it ok to lash out and treat others with cruelty? No.

Sportsmanship is not always easy. It requires you to check your pride at the door. It demands you to be understanding even in times where you can’t make sense of it. It asks you to be happy for others when you just want to be happy in your own journey.

But most of all, it means that you have to remember what’s most important in life.

The Truth

We all LOVE this damn sport. The amount of passion we see in one child, adolescent or adult is immeasurable. Dance is a BIG part of our lives…. but it’s not what defines us.

So don’t let it define you. Don’t let it turn you into something you’re not in a moment of weakness. Don’t let it distance you from potential friends, supporters and dance family.

Because I can honestly say that the people who lash out, berate, belittle and harass others will always be remembered for that. Dancers come and go. The success of a champion will always remain, but it will fade with time as others step into the spotlight.

Like the Invictus poem I mentioned above, we are the masters of our fate. We can decide what our legacy will be once we hang up our shoes.

Personally, I want to leave behind a legacy of humble successes and gracious losses. But most of all, I want to be remembered for being a GOOD PERSON.

Because that, folks, is the most important thing of all in this sport and in life.

Let’s support others in this community. Let’s stand up for one another. Instead of hating on one another, let’s channel our energy into something productive like personal growth and achieving happiness (whatever that may be for each of us).

And for those of you on the receiving end of hate, know that you’re not alone. Many of us are experiencing it as well. We can’t choose how people treat us, but we can choose how to respond.

As my late, and incredibly wise, grandfather once said:

“YOUR SHOULDERS ARE SLOPED FOR A REASON. LET IT ALL SLIDE AWAY.”

prettylittleirishdancer

City of Birmingham parade of champs!

Never got around to putting these gems on here #wro2017

shannonscotty18

I️m 23 and just qualified for my very first world championships. Never give up on your dream ❤️

thevanishinglake69

Yaaasssss Shannon!!!!!

steps-and-solodresses

The Western Region Oireachtas 2017 Parade of Champions from Sunday, November 19th! Congrats to everyone who competed!

3x Oireachtas champion!!! And to think that 10 weeks ago I️ had a broken leg and didn’t know if I’d be able to dance. Cannot thank all those that believed in me enough.