--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't choose ballet, it was my mum's…" description: "\"I didn't choose ballet, it was my mum's choice.\" — Sergei Polunin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1f/sergei-polunin-3855_ballet_i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-c_1599080.jpg" --- # I didn't choose ballet, it was my mum's choice. ![“I didn't choose ballet, it was my mum's choice.” quote by Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1f/sergei-polunin-3855_ballet_i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-c_1599080.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1f/sergei-polunin-3855_ballet_i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-c_1599080.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1f/sergei-polunin-3855_ballet_i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-c_1599080.jpg) > “I didn't choose ballet, it was my mum's choice.” [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing ballet was not a personal decision but a familial expectation, highlighting external pressure in artistic careers. **In simple terms:** He was forced into ballet by his mother. Key Takeaway Recognize and evaluate external influences on life choices. Themes family career pressure identity autonomy Mood thoughtful conflicted Type psychological inspirational When to use this quote - dance training - career counseling - family discussions Key Concepts self‑determination cultural expectations artistic pursuit Questions to Reflect On - Do you pursue passions or follow others' wishes? - How can you assert autonomy respectfully? A Different Perspective Balancing personal desire with family expectations can be complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) [Ballet Mum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet-mum-6076955/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose/) [Choose Ballet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-ballet-4786797/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Didn Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/didn-choose/) [Mum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mum/) [Mum Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mum-choice-2843368/) ## Related quotes > [ Every girl - and boy, if you so choose - should take some ballet. Because ballet gives you grace. It gives you \[the ability\]… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-nicks/every-girl-and-boy-if-you-so-choose-should-take-some-ballet-because/) [Stevie Nicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-nicks/) > [I won't be made to feel guilty about being a working mum; it's my choice, and I know I'm doing a good job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vogue-williams/i-won-t-be-made-to-feel-guilty-about-being-a-working-mum-it-s-my/) [Vogue Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vogue-williams/) > [Mum, who had been a dancer with a small ballet company before she got married, was full of encouragement. She didn't say, "This is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dannii-minogue/mum-who-had-been-a-dancer-with-a-small-ballet-company-before-she-got/) [Dannii Minogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dannii-minogue/) > [Whoever thought of making ballet? I mean, what is it? It's so alien. You just look at people's behavior as well - people trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/whoever-thought-of-making-ballet-i-mean-what-is-it-it-s-so-alien-you/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Royal Ballet was good to me. They gave me everything I asked for. It's just... I felt tricked. I became a principal and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-royal-ballet-was-good-to-me-they-gave-me-everything-i-asked-for/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [There's no agents or managers to represent them. Dancers don't have any voice. They have nothing. Nobody can afford a flat to live in.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/there-s-no-agents-or-managers-to-represent-them-dancers-don-t-have/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [You know when you believe in Christmas? I was like that with ballet. I thought I would reach a level where I'd have enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/you-know-when-you-believe-in-christmas-i-was-like-that-with-ballet-i/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Royal Ballet School looked after me very well, they were like my family, and the company gave me everything. But I was unhappy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-royal-ballet-school-looked-after-me-very-well-they-were-like-my/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [What you need to know about me is that I always just wanted to be a country singer. I didn't choose the path of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-shelton/what-you-need-to-know-about-me-is-that-i-always-just-wanted-to-be-a/) [Blake Shelton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-shelton/) > [I like to say that I didn't choose acting - acting chose me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ving-rhames/i-like-to-say-that-i-didn-t-choose-acting-acting-chose-me/) [Ving Rhames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ving-rhames/) > [If I didn't choose art, I would have become an astronomer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-max/if-i-didn-t-choose-art-i-would-have-become-an-astronomer/) [Peter Max](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-max/) > [I keep one eye on the path I didn't choose every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-keep-one-eye-on-the-path-i-didn-t-choose-every-day/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [“So, with all the wide world to choose from, you didn't choose at all. You simply stopped wandering one day”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/so-with-all-the-wide-world-to-choose-from-you-didn-t-choose-at-all/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [I didn't choose Goldberg because I wanted to be the flagship for the Jewish movement, not by any stretch of the imagination. I chose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-goldberg/i-didn-t-choose-goldberg-because-i-wanted-to-be-the-flagship-for-the/) [Bill Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-goldberg/) > [Taylor Gang or Die. Obviously Bin Laden didn't choose Taylor Gang.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-gang/taylor-gang-or-die-obviously-bin-laden-didn-t-choose-taylor-gang/) [Taylor Gang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-gang/) ## More by Sergei Polunin > [I wasted so many years just traveling and sitting in hotels, searching for things, not knowing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-wasted-so-many-years-just-traveling-and-sitting-in-hotels-searching/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Royal Ballet was good to me. They gave me everything I asked for. It's just... I felt tricked. I became a principal and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-royal-ballet-was-good-to-me-they-gave-me-everything-i-asked-for/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I didn't want people to think I'm a dancer. I'm much more. I'm a human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-didn-t-want-people-to-think-i-m-a-dancer-i-m-much-more-i-m-a-human/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [Art and war are opposites, so our goal as an artist is to build and create, not destroy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/art-and-war-are-opposites-so-our-goal-as-an-artist-is-to-build-and/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I normally don't regret. I enjoy everything, even if it's bad or good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-normally-don-t-regret-i-enjoy-everything-even-if-it-s-bad-or-good/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [What made my mind go free is that I wanted to become an artist. As soon as I said to myself, 'Oh I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/what-made-my-mind-go-free-is-that-i-wanted-to-become-an-artist-as/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I do get depressed sometimes, I don't know why. It's since I was a kid and it's just part of my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-do-get-depressed-sometimes-i-don-t-know-why-it-s-since-i-was-a-kid/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I went and got a tattoo of James Dean on my shoulder without actually seeing him in any movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-went-and-got-a-tattoo-of-james-dean-on-my-shoulder-without-actually/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Sensorium Galaxy Planet of Motion is the future. We are memorizing dance because dance will exist in a virtual world forever. The Planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-sensorium-galaxy-planet-of-motion-is-the-future-we-are-memorizing/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [The Royal Ballet School looked after me very well, they were like my family, and the company gave me everything. But I was unhappy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/the-royal-ballet-school-looked-after-me-very-well-they-were-like-my/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [As soon as I said to myself, "Oh I'm not a dancer; I'm not an actor," it made me so free to do anything.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/as-soon-as-i-said-to-myself-oh-i-m-not-a-dancer-i-m-not-an-actor-it/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [Just let me live my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/just-let-me-live-my-life/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I'm not a bad boy now I'm living in Russia. London was great but there were too many distractions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-m-not-a-bad-boy-now-i-m-living-in-russia-london-was-great-but-there/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [I actually always have good intentions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-actually-always-have-good-intentions/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [You know when you believe in Christmas? I was like that with ballet. I thought I would reach a level where I'd have enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/you-know-when-you-believe-in-christmas-i-was-like-that-with-ballet-i/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) [Explore all 120 Sergei Polunin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) ## More Ballet quotes > [“Afterwards Isabelle often wondered if the moments themselves were greater or the memory of them. At least the memory did not pass, while the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-bentley/afterwards-isabelle-often-wondered-if-the-moments-themselves-were/) [Toni Bentley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-bentley/) > [One can be a great artist without being a great technician. There have been many famous ballet stars who did not have the ideal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-bujones/one-can-be-a-great-artist-without-being-a-great-technician-there-have/) [Fernando Bujones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-bujones/) > [So I'm studying ballet every day and really training so people will see me as a ballet dancer, which no one's seen before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sutton-foster/so-i-m-studying-ballet-every-day-and-really-training-so-people-will/) [Sutton Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sutton-foster/) > [No matter the style, the farther one goes the more obstacles increase, and the more distant appears the object it is desired to attain.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-georges-noverre/no-matter-the-style-the-farther-one-goes-the-more-obstacles-increase/) [Jean-Georges Noverre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-georges-noverre/) > [What I love most about ballet is being able to express my emotions through dance, and to be able to bring others joy through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michaela-deprince/what-i-love-most-about-ballet-is-being-able-to-express-my-emotions/) [Michaela DePrince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michaela-deprince/) > [It is not a question of who dances but of who or what does not dance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-st-denis/it-is-not-a-question-of-who-dances-but-of-who-or-what-does-not-dance/) [Ruth St. Denis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-st-denis/) > [Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-martins/ballet-is-pure-and-demands-that-you-serve-something-larger-than/) [Peter Martins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-martins/) > [Even though I am a professional, and I know what the steps are, I don't quite know how I'm going to do them, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-farrell/even-though-i-am-a-professional-and-i-know-what-the-steps-are-i-don-t/) [Suzanne Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-farrell/) > [I'd rather be a guy that can build a house or fix a car than be able to walk like a ballet dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/i-d-rather-be-a-guy-that-can-build-a-house-or-fix-a-car-than-be-able/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) > [When I was 16, I moved to Torrance, California to train at a more advanced studio, and by 19, I joined the American Ballet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/misty-copeland/when-i-was-16-i-moved-to-torrance-california-to-train-at-a-more/) [Misty Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/misty-copeland/) > [Bob's work gleaned from hoofing, from vaudeville, from ballet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-reinking/bob-s-work-gleaned-from-hoofing-from-vaudeville-from-ballet/) [Ann Reinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-reinking/) > [You can imagine me as a kid growing up in redneck Texas with ballet shoes, tucking the violin under my arm. I had to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-swayze/you-can-imagine-me-as-a-kid-growing-up-in-redneck-texas-with-ballet/) [Patrick Swayze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-swayze/) > [I only started writing in the latter days of Spandau Ballet. I didnt know I could write because all had our roles within the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-hadley/i-only-started-writing-in-the-latter-days-of-spandau-ballet-i-didnt/) [Tony Hadley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-hadley/) > [All ballet, all reading, all music. That was my world, my inner world,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalia-makarova/all-ballet-all-reading-all-music-that-was-my-world-my-inner-world/) [Natalia Makarova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalia-makarova/) > [I can dance. I like hip hop and stuff and jazz movements, but I'm horrible in ballet. I tried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keke-palmer/i-can-dance-i-like-hip-hop-and-stuff-and-jazz-movements-but-i-m/) [Keke Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keke-palmer/) [Browse all 1,227 Ballet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ballet/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't choose ballet, it was my mum's choice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sergei Polunin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-choice/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ballet" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-choice/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1f/sergei-polunin-3855_ballet_i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-c_1599080.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1f/sergei-polunin-3855_ballet_i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-c_1599080.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1f/sergei-polunin-3855_ballet_i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-c_1599080.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I didn't choose ballet, it was my mum's choice.” — Sergei Polunin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sergei Polunin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I didn't choose ballet, it was...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-choice/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/i-didn-t-choose-ballet-it-was-my-mum-s-choice/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```