My direction in life...?

You don't mention the type of dancing you do or the training you have had. You should know that is you haven't taken at least 15 hours of technique class a week your training is considered recreational not professional. If you love to dance and have not had training and think it is time to pursue it now, you are way late and the boat has passed on that. Dancers of all types train for years to build dance technique. The fact that you say you dance everyday and anywhere makes me think you are talking street dance. Do correct me if I am wrong. You should know that dancers who dance in music videos and on tour with singers are trained in classical ballet as well. It is the job of a dancer to make it all look easy. Like anyone can do it. You are not supposed to see the effort in it. Professional dancers need to be able to do every type of dance well. You never know what a choreographer might call on you to do. 10% of the best trained dancers get work and only 10% of them can make a living at it. A dancer's career is very short. Then it is time to look for another career. The best reality check you can do is to go to some auditions and see what your competition for work is. If you haven't done so, go to a summer Intensive audition. They are listed in January's addition of Dance Magazine.

Remember, dance can always be part of your life. Who says you have to be paid. Dance for the joy of dance. That should be enough to keep most people happy.

Well, honestly I'd say don't give up on dancing. But don't make it your focus. It's dang hard to get into that industry and even the ones who do, lots of times have a side job so they can keep making money. Make money as a chef, have fun as a dancer. And who knows, maybe you'll win a few competitions and get a name out there for yourself. Or, be a career chef, then later on, open a studio...just don't lean on dancing as a money Making venture, because there's not too much money in it. And happiness is better than money, but a house is better than a cardboard box...

About cooking -

If you cook you will, most likely, become a short order cook in a small out of the way restrurant. You will probable make a passable living. A lot of people can pass themselves off as 'cooks' with little or no experience.l

About dancing - I have no experience here.

I suggest you go into engineering.

Good luck.

Have you taken dance classes previously? If so, try make time and get back into them. As for culinary, if you think you can continue doing it, go for it!

Can you dance when you are 40?

Can you be a chef when you are 40?

If you don't dance you will never know.