Bouncing Back - What to Do When You Don't Reach Your Placement Goals

So, you've worked really hard, you've given up your Saturday lie-ins and sacrificed days out with your friends. You’ve worked on your mindset, your movement and made sure you were well rested for the big day. Then the big day came…you went full-out. But when the results were called, your name wasn’t quite where you wanted it to be.

Ouch.

Before you start to argue with your mum or dramatically throw your heavy shoes in the bin, let’s talk. Not hitting your placement goals doesn’t mean you’re a rubbish Dancer - it just means you’re human.

First Things First: Let Yourself Cry

Yes, really. Let yourself feel it. Cry, eat the post-Feis treats, have a moan to your mum, your friend, your dog. Just don’t stay in the sulk. You’re allowed to be disappointed, but don’t unpack and live there.

The Myth of the Magical Result

Remember, Feis placements aren’t a full picture of who you are as a Dancer. Judges get a snippet of your Dancing journey for a matter of minutes. Maybe your shoe came untied. Maybe someone kicked your shin mid-leap. Maybe it just wasn’t your day. You’re still you. You’re still fabulous. You’re still a brilliant Irish Dancer.

Reflect - But Don’t Obsess

Once the eyelashes have been taken off and you’ve had your post-Feis nap, it’s time to be brave. Ask yourself:

• Did I give it everything I had on stage?
  
  
• Were my corrections improving in class?
  
  
• Was I mentally present, or did I zone out thinking about my homework?
  
  

Use your brain like a coach, not a bully. It’s not about blaming yourself. It’s about learning.

Celebrate the Wins (Even the Tiny Ones)

Did you remember to breathe during your Slip Jig? Big win. Hit that timing in your Reel? YES. Land the click you’ve been working on for weeks? Massive. Not every win comes with a trophy. Some come with personal pride and maybe a high-five from your teacher.

Re-set. Re-focus. Re-Feis.

This is not the end. It’s a plot twist. Grab your notebook (or phone notes), and jot down your new goals. Not just “place top 3”, but real, personal ones like:

• Nail turnout in that new section of my Set.
  
  
• Get to class early and do my own warm-up.
  
  
• Say one positive thing to myself after every class.
  
  

Small steps = big leaps. Literally.

Remember Why You Dance

Not for medals. Not for social media. Not even for that post-Feis McDonald's (though that is a bonus). You dance because it is your safe space. Because it’s fun. Because you get to wear sparkly things and it makes you happy. If you’ve lost sight of that, take a break, go to class just for fun, or choreograph something completely bonkers in your kitchen. Fall back in love with dancing.

Remember…

You’re not defined by one result. You’re defined by your grit, your love of Irish Dancing, your resilience, and all your amazing Dancing friendships. So chin up, toes pointed, and get ready - because the next Feis? That one could be yours.

And if not… we bounce back. Again.