I know IABU - hobby teacher moving away

[PakkaMakka]

As per title, I know I'm being unreasonable, I'm just a little taken aback about how bereft I feel!
I started a new hobby in lockdown - a dance class. Something I always wanted to do, didn't get the chance when i was little and then started an online class in lockdown [after thinking I was too old to try something new at first]. That then became a regular face to face class when restrictions eased.
I didn't have much confidence and only started because the teacher was really pushing brand new beginners. I absolutely loved it. The teacher is very outgoing and friendly, and since the classes have been in person it has become a really sociable thing to do - we go for food after class, our teacher has been teaching us about her culture etc. We had an event planned in London we were going to travel to as a group next year.

Due to life in the UK getting harder - cost of living, cost of running a business, experiencing racism etc - my teacher has decided to move back to her home country.

I know it's not unusual for a class to end. In lockdown this class became a bit of a lifeline for me, and it has since become my main social life (my pre-covid social life of pubs etc never really restarted)

I hadn't realised how much I'd invested/relied on this class and how big a part of my life its become. I know I can find another hobby, though I've not had something interest me like this for a long time. I live in a small town and there's not an awful lot to do - the usual Zumba, yoga etc, but nothing that grabs me particularly.

I feel like a silly schoolgirl. I know IABU, I just needed to vent a little on here as I'd be too embarrassed to tell people IRL how I feel! And without getting too political, it frustrates me at how unwelcoming our country has become for non British people, and how avoidable that is. I know it hasn't been an easy choice for her to move back, as she was hoping to put her children through school here.

I’m sorry OP, it’s hard when you throw your heart into something. Are there alternative teachers out there?

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. It sounds like this was far more than ‘just’ a dance class - it was your lockdown lifeline, a chance to put right things you missed out on in the past, your passion, a source of joy and friendships. It sounds like this class awakened new parts of yourself, parts you really like. Viewed in entirety like that, it’s a big loss, so of course you are upset - especially as it’s so unfair that your teacher feels pushed out by outside forces. Please allow yourself to feel sad rather than criticise yourself for it. Criticising and dismissing your feelings won’t make them go away - quite the opposite - but allowing space for your feelings means you can work through them quicker and better, and then move on.

Thanks @Namechangehobby. Unfortunately not for what she teaches, at least not in my area. Where I live isn't very multi cultural and the usual type of classes we have here are what you'd get at the leisure centre - fairly standard things and not taught by someone specialist.

I know it'll pass. I think it has been a while since I've met someone really passionate and knowledgeable about something, and in the mundanity of lockdown life it was lovely to do.

@MajesticWol I think I cross posted before, but that's a lovely message, thank you. I think you're right, lockdown gave me a chance to re-evaluate things and try something I thought I'd missed a chance to.
I think as well, some of the people around me became quite inward looking with lockdown, focusing on their families only. The teacher was a community activist as well so I think it was a marked difference to be around someone who was very community focused and keen to arrange things and get a group together. And with not being able to travel, learning about another culture was really lovely.

I will have to see what else I can focus on now!

Lots of these things aren’t financially viable for the instructors, sadly.

Would reflect on what you liked in particular and seek something with some of those things, or just try out what’s available locally.

Maybe one of the students could take over teaching temporarily to keep the group going?

Unfortunately there aren't any students who would be in a position to take it over. As well as there not being anyone who's at a high enough level, it is quite culturally specific and I don't think anyone local would feel suitably qualified to teach it. We might be able to arrange some get togethers I guess.

I can certainly reflect on what I liked about it, but tbh I think I'd need to move to a city to find something along the same lines! It was unusual to have her in our relatively backwater town!