How to Stay Motivated During a Plateau

Let’s talk about something every Irish Dancer faces at some point - the plateau 😩. You know what I mean… that moment when the buzz of starting something new fades, progress slows down, and your motivation decides to disappear faster than your hardshoe rhythm on a slippery stage!!

I call this the “messy middle” - and guess what? It’s not a sign that you're failing. It's a sign that you’re right where you should be.

What Is the Messy Middle?

The messy middle is that in-between phase. You’re no longer a beginner, but you haven’t quite hit the breakthrough moment either. Maybe you’ve been working hard on your kicks, turnout, stamina, or mindset, and you’re wondering...

"Why am I not improving anymore?"
"Why does this feel so hard all of a sudden?"
"Should I just give up and try something else?"

Trust me - every Champion, every coach, and every Dancer has felt that. Even me 💁‍♀️

And the truth is… this is where the magic actually happens. You’re building resilience, grit, and real strength. The kind of strength that doesn’t just make you better at Irish Dancing - it makes you unstoppable for the rest of your life 💪

Progress Isn’t Linear — And That’s OK

We often expect our Dance journey to look like this:

📈 Constant improvement, all the time.

But reality? It’s more like this:

🔁 A wobbly, twisty, messy scribble with highs, lows, and looong flat stretches where it feels like nothing is happening.

Plateaus are part of the process, not the end of it. They’re your body and mind recalibrating. It’s when new choreography is being absorbed into your brain. It’s when your muscles are learning. It’s when you’re on the edge of something brilliant, even if you can’t feel it yet ✨

5 Things To Do When You’re Stuck in a Plateau

Let’s not panic - let’s pivot. Here’s how I coach my Dancers through a slump:

1. Zoom Out 🧭

Take a step back. Reflect on where you were 3, 6, or 12 months ago. You’ve improved more than you think! Plateaus often feel worse because we’ve forgotten how far we’ve come.

2. Change the Focus 🔄

If kicks are driving you mad, shift your focus to posture. If stamina work is burning you out, have fun with performance drills. Growth still happens when you move your energy elsewhere.

3. Stick to the Plan (Even When It’s Boring) 📋

Boring is good. Boring means consistency. And consistency is what wins. You don’t need a new trick - you need trust in the process. Be patient with your progress and keep showing up.

4. Celebrate Small Wins 🎉

Did your crossover improve by 5%? Win. Did you keep a positive mindset through a hard class? Win. Small wins stack up to big ones.

5. Talk It Out 💬

Sometimes just voicing how you feel helps clear the fog. Chat with your teacher, your parents, or drop me or Annabelle a message in the Move With Meg app community. We’re here to support each other.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For the Parents: Your Role in the Messy Middle

Parents, this is a gentle reminder: your Dancer won’t always feel motivated, and that’s totally normal. Progress isn’t instant, especially when things get physically or mentally tough.

Here’s how you can help:

• Notice and praise effort over outcome
  
  
• Ask questions like “What felt better today?” instead of “Did your teacher say you improved?”
  
  
• Encourage rest - mental and physical recovery is a vital part of our sport
  
  
• Remind them of their “why.” A simple, “Remember how amazing you felt after your last Feis?” can go a long way ❤️
  
  

Motivation vs. Discipline

Motivation will fluctuate; that’s just life. But discipline? That’s what carries you through when motivation takes a nap 😴

So on those days when you really don’t feel like practicing, just do a little something. A 10-minute stretch. A softshoe drill. Even putting on your hardshoes and dancing for fun in the kitchen.

You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to keep going 💥

💬 Final Pep Talk

The messy middle isn't a setback - it's a sign.

It means you’ve committed.

It means you're growing.

It means you're learning to work through something that feels emotionally or mentally uncomfortable (we don’t want you Dancing through injuries!!) and that’s where resilience is born.

So next time you feel stuck, remember this: your breakthrough might be one more consistent week away, one more class, one more tweak to your technique. Keep Dancing, keep believing, and embrace the mess — it's where all the good stuff lives.

✨ Keep Going — We’ve Got You

Need a little help pushing through?
Join the Move With Meg Gold Club for support, structure, and serious progress.
Try the Move Like a Champion mini course — it’s FREE and full of helpful mindset tips.
Chat with others in our supportive Facebook group for parents. You’re not alone!