I was a dancer and I loved it but two and a half years ago I dropped it, due to some bad circumstances and a minor injury. I tried to start again, but every time I think about it, I'm in too much pain to imagine beginning again. I've been depressed about it for a long time, and I'm only in my 20s but a lot of people say that's late to start a dance career.
So I don't know if I can just try to keep dance in my life without it being my work, or if I should try to have a career of it. But with either of those options, I would have to stop feeling like a failure.
I don't know what to do. I love to dance. Can I start again? I don't want to be on my deathbed years from now regretting that I never even tried. But it makes me so sad to think that I could fail at it.

[Travelinglady]

Hi, bluedonna, and welcome to Psych Central! I am not sure of all the issues that might be involved in such a decision. For example, if you are talking about being in physical pain when you try to dance, then that concerns me. I suggest you talk to a doctor about it and see what he/she says.

And what are the bad circumstances? Why are you feeling like a failure?

Not knowing these details hampers my being able to answer your question, but I suggest you do try to dance again. You will never know until you try. Yes, there is a possibility you might fail, but if so, then there are many, many other things to do in life. Is it possible for you to dance part-time right now, seeing how it goes, and doing something else as a main livelihood?