Hannah Russell Keep It Real... value between filter and reality

Hey I’m Hannah Russell …

If you follow me on Instagram you know I lived in New York City for 18 months, you also might say, ‘Oh she's a dancer’, while others say, “How’s teaching?”, well yes that’s me… all those things are true and I like to share them in Clarendon with a little extra saturation.

Music moves me, the athleticism and creativity of dance keep me on my toes (haha..hem). But there is more… Real people and their stories, bikes, entrepreneurism, singing, acting, adventure, and those little moments of humour.

A couple of things i’d love to share with you on my blog

Tips, the things I’ve learnt in show biz and are still learning

2. Show biz and ‘KEEPING IT REAL’

3. My future adventure, getting exciting in the next month. UK, US, UK who knows?

I’m a big fan of point 2. ‘Keeping it Real’

This morning I felt compelled to write and introduce you to a few of those ‘keep it real’ moments. While I am still chasing my big goals in performing arts, there are many golden moments, hilarious fails and challenges i’ve experienced. I hope by sharing them you can rest assured, you're not alone with reality.

A few highlights and fails from my time in NYC

Dancing: Everyday, performing, class

The Emergency Room: The close friend who almost lost her life, was in hospital for a month, and made me promise not to tell anyone including her parents

Running: In central park with that New York sunrise

Visa sponsor relationship: Sorry your visa does not allow you to work that job

Opportunity: Sorry I can’t my visa doesn't allow that dance gig, commercial or feature film

Breaking point: Not just sobbing but ugly crying through the streets of Manhattan, 2 hrs late to work, lost my phone on the street, found it 1 hr later. (Shout out to Cody and Find my iPhone).

Sorry: you can’t do work study to pay for class. But i’m on a working visa? contact us when you're on your 01

Why am I getting fat: Get’s significantly bigger for just 3 months

The apartment hunt: A $1500 corner in someone’s kitchen, blocked off by a sheet, or an $800 palace; what’s the catch?

It’s 11pm: The 1 train is not in service

It’s 7am: I’m late again. yes I can and I WILL fit onto the 1 train, i’m wearing Lululemon (luxtreme), let’s share this summer sweat New Yorkers

Getting Jumped: By an old lady with a walking frame

Said lady: Denying to NYPD she stole my money

Said ladies saggy cleavage: Leaking with my bills as she pleads not guilty

Social: ABT Spring gala, Broadway shows, dinner and drinks at friends apartments.

or what about the week early September 2018 when I survived off $3.99USD,

A dear mentor joked with me “well you could've made it at least $4 Hannah”’. It’s okay though, I had a full pantry of food and classes on my account at Broadway Dance Center. And really that’s all that mattered because my goal in NYC was to use my one year opportunity to dance, grow, soak up all the city had to offer in the arts, and submit a successful application for my 01 visa.

The streets of Harlem and it’s vibrant culture

New York is more then opportunity for a career in performing arts. New York is where I have made lasting friendships, found mentors who have changed my life and challenged my comfort zone. NYC is where you thrive for ‘keeping it real’. Have you ever read Dancers of NYC or Humans of New York? It’s the real deal. New Yorkers have a story. Ask someone WHY they moved to New York and how their first year was, your’e in a for a treat! A hub of creativity, energy and adventure, from billionaires to beggars separated by a block. It’s inspiring, hard, and rewarding. You very quickly learn to work harder then you thought you could, and give a little more than you can.

I’ve caught the New York disease. I never thought i’d be able to save $27,000 to live as a student for three months, but I did . I didn't think I would be able to save enough to return 8 months later… I did that too. Nor did I think I would ever have the credits and contracts to submit for the extraordinary ability in the arts 01 visa, It’s happened and any day now i’ll get my response.

At the end of 2016 all of the above were just dreams. What happened when I moved overseas alone is this life changing thing called ‘facing your fears’ and not being able to run away from them (because thats a 24hr flight back home). I used to have a delicious savings account, completed a business degree, owned my own car, frequented high class restaurants, and I could have well been married by now. The best decision was to give all those things up. Focus on my faith and take a leap. A leap that has opened doors, taught me to take responsibility for what I really want, and fight to make it happen.

And that’s why I want to leave you with just a little part of my New York Journey. I hope a few of these very ‘real’ moments resonate. I want to be transparent about the things we don’t often see on the gram, the things we all experience, the moments of challenge that build character.

Please let me know what you would like me to write about here. NYC, dance, my favourite citibike moments (winking emoji if you know me).

This blog is for you… value between filter and reality.

In the meantime I encourage you to also ‘Keep it Real’, Share your moments of joy AND doubt, even if it’s just with one friend. You're not alone. Take risks that energise you and allow you to grow. When you live with a vibrant energy, you inspire others to live the same way. Money, location, feeling trapped in a relationship, or not having the right support… these are all issues that can be solved. Even if it does feel impossible right now.

The best thing i’ve learnt when things are overwhelming is to follow the next immediate step. No matter how small the step or how big your situation is. Small steps compound, before you know it progress will motivate you and you can begin to see signs you CAN achieve what you truly desire.

Martin Luther King has helped me this past year. I’ll leave you with some of his wise advice.