All About The Dance Part
Get to know more
Why I Chose This Name
The Dance Part is a phrase I heard at the end of a song and for some reason it stuck with me. I imagined myself in a room with nice music and my friends around, feeling the itch to start moving. It takes some courage to start dancing, at first it feels awkward and slightly uncomfortable, but when you keep going it is so much fun and there is so much of freedom in it. And that is what I wanted this to be. To be somewhat challenging for me and maybe for my audience as well, but to end with joy and laughter – heading back home with full hearts.
The Question That Fuels The Dance Part
Is it possible to live in constant joy and peace? That’s what I’ve been exploring for a long while now and I’ve found many interesting things along the way that I want to share with you here.
My journey got especially fuelled by these things that Jesus Christ said:
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
Whether you are a Christian or not, I think this discovery is for everyone. I do not just explore the Bible, but I look into nature, books, movies, art and anything that brings a sense of joy to me. I believe we all can find it if we pause to dig a little bit deeper in our hearts.
What I mean by joy? A deep, peaceful gladness inside my heart that I can experience even in the midst of difficult circumstances. To me it has everything to do with being close to my Maker.
I find joy in things like hearing the rain drops fall, beholding the clouds, watching tiny flowers and creatures, painting and making things and discovering treasures in books and music.
I hope all this will inspire you to see beauty and joy in even the simplest things – so your joy may be full :)
The History of The Dance Part
For as long as I can remember I’ve been creating – In high school I discovered acrylic painting and Photoshop and after school you could usually find me in my bedroom working on some creative project, I just enjoyed it. When it was time to find what I wanted to study, I had no idea what to do, I looked here and there but I didn’t like anything enough. Until some day I visited an art school and was amazed to find that this was something I could study. I applied quite late, got accepted and started to study Graphic Design in Arnhem. Unfortunately I wasn’t prepared for what was awaiting me there. Almost 40 hours of classes each week that were mandatory, a lot of things to make and create and I couldn’t do it in the crowded classrooms. So after a couple of months I found myself burned out and uninspired. I missed my friends, I missed creating just for fun, I missed learning from text-books and so I decided to quit. It was not for me.
I ended up studying Communication in Ede, while that whole time the idea to start my own business was burning in me. At this school I learned a lot of tools that would help me to start my own thing. I learned how to build my own website (with html-code back then) and I started a blog where I shared my thoughts and creative projects. I really enjoyed it. Simultaneously I was discovering photography and got more and more photo-assignments.
I officially launched The Dance Part in 2014 in the last year of school. After I graduated I pursued running my own business full-time. I did many things over the years, I started out mostly with wedding- and family photography, designing cards and having a little webshop where I sold some art and other things. Over the years the longing to focus primarily on art grew stronger and in 2021 I decided to stop photographing professionally so I could focus on what was in my heart. Since then it has been a journey of letting go and discovering a new path, which has now led me here.
A Few Things About Me
- I enjoy reading, sewing, taking walks and cycling
- Currently I live in Oosterbeek (Netherlands) with my husband
- I used to be a photographer as well and I have lots of old analog camera’s
- Tea is my favorite drink
- Every few months I move the furniture around in the house
- I was in art school studying graphic design for a couple of months, but dropped out because it was too much pressure and I didn’t have time to make what I wanted to anymore
- After that I studied Communications, that’s where I learned to build websites and start my own business
- I think there’s always a way, and I like to look for ways to solve problems creatively
Conversations with Merith
Audio recordings on different subjects to inspire one another
Thoughts on Winter
Here is my first conversation about Winter. It’s not an easy time for everyone and it has its challenges. I’m sharing a few thoughts and ideas how to get joyfully through the winter.
Do you agree? Do you have some ideas to add? I’d like to hear from you!
Pursuing what’s in your heart
We often do things a certain way because we think that’s how we’re supposed to do them. Often it’s influenced by what others (might) think. Here I share some thoughts on that. I hope it encourages you to follow your heart more often.
What do you think?
I’d like to hear from you!
Je hebt gelijk, heerlijk kijken naar wat we zien om ons heen, er is veel moois dichtbij. Ja dat maakt ” rijk” !