Why & How Dork Dancing Began in Da Nang
I (Ethan) was only traveling in Vietnam but got stuck here because of COVID-19. I had no intention of living here, but plans & reality frequently don’t match. Life often delivers unexpected twists and turns — it keeps things interesting — and sometimes that can work in your favor.
In 2020, during the months of April & May, it became quite evident that this world was (and is) hurting. Economically, socially, medically. People going crazy, locked indoors consumed by fear & insecurity. Pain everywhere. I asked myself, what is my role? Why am I here? How can I be helpful? And what can I realistically do?
Lockdown lead to some serious self-reflection. It made me think about my story and how that story might shape potential contribution. I reflected on passions & strengths.
This year things are different. And so am I. I wanted to change course to channel my energy more productively and purposefully. The world needs people to pursue their purpose, I thought. So here I go.
With sufficient reflection, I identified some internal patterns of behavior, thought, and energy. Mental health is what matters most to me and in this moment of global mental health crisis, it’s time for me to get over my doubts, step up, and emerge as a mental health leader.
This decision to see myself as a mental health advocate required action & vulnerability. I needed to speak about this personally, to tell my truth in a way I had never done before. I needed to be open about my experiences of mental illness, because these experiences have shaped who I am, what I believe in, and how I make decisions. It’s time to be seen.
So I wrote some short stories of my psychiatric hospitalizations — the experiences that most changed my life. After reflection, I shared. I did it. The stories were received well online. My hypothesis was right. My words and my story matters. And people care.
The world is in extreme pain and in my story I have found something that works: dorkdancing. It has helped me through moments of pain. I was healing and I was ready to share this alongside others.
Experiences of human suffering isn’t unique. It’s shared. It’s universal. “Mental illness” is human, and yet we treat it like it’s something outside of us. Something too taboo, difficult or undesirable to talk about. I find irony in this, because it’s these topics that connect us most powerfully. It’s these stories of shared pain & purpose that ground us, that direct us.
When lockdown ended, I came out of it ready, with a singular focus to advocate for mental health openly, authentically, and purposefully. By focusing on the larger mission that I wanted to serve, I more easily forgot about myself and concern for judgement became secondary.
So I went out to the beach, danced, and recorded myself, introducing Da Nang to the idea of Dork Dancing, something fun that I’ve been doing in the privacy of my room for years. This was my first time dork dancing in the open public while making an open invitation for strangers to join me.
My first post on Facebook got around 350 likes and 100 supportive comments. That was surprising. It gave me some early encouragement.
June 14th, 2020 in Da Nang, Vietnam. That was the very first day I danced in the open public with an open invitation for others to join.
One person joined. His name is Thai. He changed my life here. I haven’t danced alone in Da Nang since the day I met him.
Thai is from Vietnam. He was shy at first. Later, he revealed to me his story of that first day. He hid behind a tree, left back for his bike, and then turned around in courage. He joined me and was uncomfortable at first, but after a few short minutes he started to relax and have fun. In two short months, Thai has joined me at Dork Dancing more than anyone, having attended over 40 events.
June 15th, 2020 in Da Nang. That was the second day dancing in public. Not only did Thai decide to join again, but another risk taker decided to give Dork Dancing a try. Her name is Anna Volokhova. She’s from Ukraine.
Anna changed the game, elevating Dork Dancing from a couple weirdos dancing on the street to an interesting party worth noting. Anna, like Thai, showed up consistently during these early days.
The next day, attendance doubled and our numbers have grown from there. In 3 short weeks, the party got so big that we got kicked off the sidewalk. It only took 3 weeks for Dork Dancing to grow into a sizable, meaningful, and impactful mental health community.
Dork Dancing started in the privacy of my room years ago, but it was the lockdown that gave it life in Da Nang. Dork Dancing grew from a fun, personal hobby to a passion project to an emerging, and aspiring, mental health movement.