Rollerskating as a tool for healing

In July 2020 I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and saw Oumi Jana flowing and grooving in rollerskates.  I was enchanted, not only because she looked so cool and carefree, or because she was having fun, but because she was an adult doing something that, in my mind, was limited to kids and teenagers.  As a kid, I used to love rollerskating and rollerblading, but stopped as a teen because I felt self conscious about being seen as childish.  Now, as a woman in my mid-thirties, I had to get my hands on a pair of skates so I could be carefree and magical too.

It was our first pandemic summer and I was working a job that I hated where I was experiencing high anxiety and stress every day as I walked towards my work building.  I needed an outlet and skating became a godsend. I ordered a pair of rose gold Impala skates and watched all of the skate-related YouTube videos I could get my hands on.  I didn’t start off smooth.  I fell a lot, but I had fun adjusting my balance and learning to change my posture (shoulders back, head up, knees slightly bent at all times).  Work was still terrible and the pandemic was frightening, but rollerskating gave me something else to focus on and something to look forward to after a hard day.  As I got more comfortable, I could glide in the parking garage I used to practice in.  I could skate backwards, I could dip, I could spin!  My confidence in myself increased.  If I could do that, what else could I do with some practice and patience.

These days I don’t skate as much as I used to.  I’m a new mom, working a full-time job, and starting my own business.  But when I can, I make the time to go to the rink, or find an empty tennis or basketball court to vibe out on. Skating isn’t the only way to deal with anxiety, there are so many more, but I’m so thankful for this healing tool. What are some coping tools that are helpful for you? Feel free to share in the comments.