“Dinner, dancing, and a night to remember.” That’s what the invitation said. All I saw was: panic, sweat, and a night to survive.
I thought I had one job: wear a suit, show up, smile for the photos.
Then I saw the word “dancing” on the invitation—and everything unraveled.
I wasn’t just underprepared. I was a walking rhythm emergency.
If you’ve ever pretended to tie your shoe just to avoid being pulled onto the dance floor—we might be related.
Things I Googled Instead of Admitting I Was Terrified
- how not to ruin a wedding with dancing
- beginner moves that don’t look too beginner
- can you die from public dancing anxiety
- how to not look like a wounded baby giraffe
At some point, I landed on something called the Social Dance Starter Bundle. It claimed it could help a complete beginner feel good enough to show up at a wedding and try.
So I downloaded it. Mostly out of panic. And a little curiosity.
Spoiler: It Wasn’t About the Wedding
That night, I sat at my coffee table, opened the rhythm drill, and started clapping to the beat like the video told me to.
I may have gone a little too hard.
I spilled my coffee everywhere.
But for the first time, I was moving. Trying. Starting.
The Real Reason I Said Yes
It wasn’t really about the wedding. It was about Ruby. About not being the guy who always said no. About showing up for something even when it scared me.
So I clicked download. Not because I thought I’d become some ballroom god.
But because I was tired of sitting this one out.
I wasn’t scared of dancing.
I was scared of looking stupid.
But doing nothing? That started to feel worse.
Want to see how it all fits together?
Step into the full story at The Jack Nolan Story—where panic meets partner dancing, and awkward meets kind of magical.
The Reluctant Dancer 