Indra’s blog: About Regrets, Second Chances and my Red Salsa Shoes

Indra’s blog: About Regrets, Second Chances and my Red Salsa Shoes 

Have you ever regretted something? Wished you did something and even though it was such a long time ago, you still feel you lost out to yourself? 

I certainly did and will tell you about mine. Maybe it will spur you on and do something about yours…

Many many moons ago ;), say I was about age 12 - 16, (yes, this does go back THAT long ago) we used to go ballroom and latin dancing. I don’t know what it was like in the UK in the 80s and 90s, but I grew up in the Netherlands and everybody would learn some ballroom dancing. It wasn’t a thing, it wasn’t cool or not cool, you just did. It was like learning to swim, it was part of your development. If there would be a party, any big party like a wedding, a 50/60/70 year celebration, a 12.5 year anniversary (yes, that actually is a thing in the Netherlands that gets celebrated BIG) or something alike then there would be ballroom dancing. If you couldn’t do it, you would be sitting on the side the whole evening. So you learned to dance. It’s not like that any more now. You will hardly see it, maybe only when the people celebrating are real ballroom dancers, but … most people my age and older had lessons when they were young. 

To us, the dance lessons were an absolute sport that we loved. We would go with a whole bunch of friends. Even though most youth would learn how to dance, there were often not enough boys in the room, so my girl friends and I would stand in for younger groups and help out. This meant that I could do most dances as a leader and as a follower, which made sure that I could always dance. 

Beside our dance class we would also go to dance evenings. It was in a different village where the main big dance school was and there was a whole disco night, but in stead of disco dancing, you guessed it… we would dance the night away from slow fox to tango, from English Walsh to Jive and on and on. Hoping to be asked by the prettiest boy, the coolest guy or the best dancer.  The nights were hot and amazing. We did this for years. 

Then there were the exams. To progress to the next level we had to dance off at exams and would receive certificates for every level. Beside the exams there were dance competitions where we sometimes competed, only on amateur level of course. And then there was the point that you went through all the levels and for us that meant you couldn’t continue unless you had a fixed dance partner to train with. 

And here we go… the BIG regret… I did get asked to pair up and continue dancing by a boy, doing the thing I absolutely loved, but…. At that age friendships are deep and you do not let your best friend down. She did not find a dance partner and so I declined. 

You did what??? Yep, I flipping declined the chance to continue dancing. 

And ever since… I have regretted it. 

We stopped going to the dance evenings. My sisters finished their dance classes and I didn’t have to come and show up as a leader any more. Life took over. I went off to study at Uni. And deep down … there was always this feeling of regret. I am sure you have something somewhere bubbling too… or maybe you took action… like I finally did. 

I hear you thinking: Did you? Yes! Here comes the good part.

Last year life took a turn and I was not in a great place emotionally. And I thought: what can I do for me? What would really cheer me up? What did you enjoy, but did you stop doing, because life took over, kids came, business came, and so many others things came first? You already know I started running again.. but yes I wanted to dance again too! 

I found a dance class half an hour away. They did ballroom and salsa. I never did salsa before, but my little sister is an amazing salsa and bachata dancer and I thought why not… let's start something new as well now we are at it. 

I contacted the dance teacher and explained I had not danced for 30 years, didn’t have a dance partner and would not really like to start as a beginner again. He thought I could try out the advanced class and see where I was at and if I could pick up the pace quick enough. And I did. 

My sister reminded me to buy the shoes. You need real dance shoes as the soles are different, making it easier to sway over the dance floor. The joy when my new red shoes arrived and I got to put them on! Super silky red ones and let’s not forget the glittery silver pair I bought as well… because you can’t work with just one pair of dance shoes can you?! ;)

There was so much I had forgotten or what we did differently, as apparently there are different dance styles to the main land and the UK. But my muscle memory kicked in, it’s amazing how that goes, and before I knew it, I was floating over the dance floor again. Well, let’s be honest. I am not as young and fit and as much of a dancer as I used to be, but neither are my dance partners. We are not trying to win awards, but do have a lot of fun. Now and again our teacher Ken throws in a dance evening with a theme and it’s almost a Saturday night like they used to be. Except we are certainly not waiting for the hot guy to ask us, we just dance when we get the chance. 

How about you? Any unresolved regrets that you might be able to work on? 

Do it now! It might not be the same as what it used to be, but it can still be amazing in its own right.

And if it’s got to do with teeth and smiles in any way or form, we are here to help! Go for it! 

Swaying and flying over the floor, 

Indra x

Just a small reminder that I am training for the Great North Run. I am taking on the biggest half marathon of the North East in aid of the Sick Children’s Trust and the Tiny Lives Fund. 

If you like to know more or help me support these amazing charities, you can do so here:

https://ajbellgreatnorthrun2025.enthuse.com/pf/indra-rampersad

It is greatly appreciated. Thank you.