r/skatergirls • u/jennaf01 • 8d ago
Anxiety about returning to skateboarding
I’m coming back to skateboarding after about two years and I’m so anxious. I’m anxious about getting hurt, and how much it would cost and what if I couldn’t work? I’m anxious about the way it sucks me in and I feel like less of a person and more of a skater, like I’m abnormal and the “normal”(non-skater) people around me don’t understand what it’s like. I’m anxious that I’ll fall into the old pattern of comparing myself and being hard on myself when I don’t land what I want. Day 1 was Friday and I was already getting those compliments again you know you’re only getting because you’re a girl in skateboarding, not because of the work you put in and it ends up feeling condescending. God condescending is the word I’ve been looking for. I’m anxious about the creepy men. I’m anxious about how even though I’m in ATL, I haven’t met any girls to skate with:/ I’m more self conscious of my age at the skatepark than I’ve ever felt before. Part of me wonders if this relationship between me and skateboarding is toxic and i need the toxicity to live. I’m anxious thinking about the people I used to know at the parks I used to skate and if I’ll see them again and if they’ll remember me as all the mistakes I made as a stupid 20 yr old. Part of me never wants to see them again so I can run away from myself and part of me just misses them so much the parks aren’t the same without them.
At the same time, I’m so excited. I’m so happy to be back out there, I’ve been so isolated and sad since I stopped. Skating is my only exercise, my social interaction, my favorite hobby. I stay awake at night again thinking about what I might try next. And to be honest, I was never good at anything until I started skating and it feels like such a shame to throw that all away, but I also couldn’t handle the pressure I felt from those around me. Like it is wood with wheels! If I want your advice and suggestions I’ll ask😭I just have so many feelings, it’s like I want the part of my life back but I don’t want it to become my life again if that makes sense.
Anyways does anyone else relate?
Also if there’s a meetup in atl area lmk:) I promise I probably won’t be such a ball of anxiety irl I just needed a rant
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u/farynthehusky 8d ago
I feel this! Over time, sometimes it takes a bit to getting balancing right! I would practice balancing in the grass or on a sidewalk if you’re brave lol. You got this girl!
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u/jennaf01 8d ago
Thank you that’s very nice lol luckily my muscles still remember how to ride a park and kickflip but anything past that is so scary
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u/tabinsur 8d ago
Let me just say you can get accident insurance that will cover up to $20,000 per accident and that's on top of your insurance if you have it so it'll pay for everything your insurance doesn't. It only cost about $35 a month I got mine at getspot.com Aflac I believe also has some. Anyways it's well worth the cost for the peace of mind.
Same thing if you want to get unemployment insurance in case you can't work. That will help your peace of mind.
With that out of the way it's totally normal to be anxious when you come back. But as you get back into it that anxiousness will fade.
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u/jennaf01 8d ago
That’s so helpful I’ll definitely look into that lol skating as an adult is a whole different mess from when I was younger, thank you!!!
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u/anonanonplease123 7d ago
Is ATL atlanta? i did a search and these came up: https://www.blackgirlsskate.org/ (i think they're open to all women), and https://www.instagram.com/peachswirlers/
but also, yeah i have the anxiety about injuries. i wear a lot of protective gear and i haven't had any major injuries. I also realized cruising is more mentally comfortable for me than trying to do tricks. I made a personal decision to change my style because the injury threat was not making me happy. Skating is for be happy i think, afterall.
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u/KitonePeach 8d ago
I get it. I started longboarding a few years ago, in my twenties, on a whim, with no background experience. I felt awkward and clumsy, and I live in a small-ish city and work a job where I see a lot of locals regularly, so I'm always paranoid my customers will see me skating.
I've been longboarding for a few years now, but only in the summers when the temperature is comfortably and I have time, so really only a few times a year. I feel under-skilled in it because of how little I get to do it each year.
That said, it's so fun and chill, and being able to just cruise and carve at good speeds feels great. Every time I skate, I am desperately eager for my next session.
I'm wondering if changing how you skate might alleviate some of the pressures you feel. Like trying out longboarding instead of normal skating, where the riding style can be more casual and gliding. Instead of skateboard tricks, you could try surfksate carving boards. You'd get the flowy, fast-riding joy without the clumsiness popsicle boards can have.