Roller Skating is often perceived as a young person's game, however, the huge influx of us Gen X and boomers is changing the playing field. As a collective, we've firmly decided that skating is for anyone who dares to ride the wave — a notion supported by the wider community.
Learning to skate later in life is a journey that can begin as a physical pursuit, then quickly expand us in quite unexpected ways. The physical challenges — balance, technique, timing, rhythm — can progressively open into something much deeper. As older skaters, we find ourselves navigating renewed perspectives on growth, community, trust, courage, self-image, and the ever-evolving narrative of who we are [or allow ourselves to be]!
Recently, I’ve been sharing rhythm skating clips to the words of any voices that resonate — thinkers, creators, and culture-shapers offering small but powerful pearls of wisdom. These insights and flows shine a light on the unexpected blessings hidden within the journey of a skater: the challenge, and thrill of unlocking new skills, unexpected friendships, and parts of ourselves we didn’t even realise were waiting to surface.
What initially appears to be an outward physical pursuit, can gradually become a deeper inward exploration. As we go deeper into the rabbit hole, we realise just how much this skating game wants to stretch us mentally, emotionally, and creatively.
This round-up gathers the month’s wisdom for older skaters — reflections to accompany you as you find your way.
The scene is rich with opportunity for integrating the deepest of truths.
February Reflections
"I don't always pick up the phone and call people to casually speak, sometimes I dont call my friends and family members for weeks, I don't think that is a problem if they do the sane with me.
I like my solo time, is there something wrong with me? You might reach out twice a week, I might reach out twice a month, I'm thinking its calm and sweet, you might think its not enough, some people are fine with this, but some people do need more, especially if there was a mutual consistent effort before.ADHD, I wonder if I'm also autistic or avoidant at my core - not sure."
~ Deeriginal
I'm not one for labels, but I do like how Deeriginal broke it down. I don't think a lot about the reasons why I like a bit of me time anymore, although I know that I definitely do. I always have, and probs always will.
Skating solo (or time spent in green space) is quite literally THE ONE. That's how I regulate my mind and soul. Or, am I just "avoidant at my core?" Don't get me wrong, I love the richness, creative spark, and connection that being amongst others brings - just not all of the time/on a daily! I enjoy the light and shade of blending both together in any given week. OK, I more than like it, I feel I need it.
When I make time to show up for myself - solo, I feel better able to show up well for others. In the end, it becomes a win/win scenario. When I skate solo, I find fresh truth about what's going on for me, and I'll often find fresh new creative flows. I more easily align with my sense of peace. Like I said, it regulates me.
Q. Where do you stand on this? Is solo time a blessing or a curse for you? I can't be the only one!
🕯Watch Video Clip: Solo Time Hits Differently!
"When you own that skate floor, moving and groovin, and somebody falls and it doesn't affect you one bit. Why? Because you're able to avoid them effortlessly.
Now if you haven't had one of these moments before - it'll come, and when it does, you have to be prepared.You never know when you're gonna need those skills, and trust me, you're gonna need those skills.
I literally cannot count on my hands how many people I have avoided the flasless way. I've jumped over kids while their parents were watching, hell you want me to do? I've jumped over other skaters. I know what I did and it was a very proud moment. That was my biggest skate-avoiding moment ever, but I know more are to come. And, one day, if it hasn't already happened for you - you're gonna be just as proud as me!"
~ Quad Skating Hinton
Quad Skating Hinton said it - when you're movin'n groovin across the skate floor, you've gotta be prepared for anything! Be ready to duck, dive, dodge, weave... and jump. You need to be ready to switch things up at any time. Anything can go down at the rink! Practise those one foot drills and quick transitions. Avoiding potential collisions part of the fun.
Get onto those one foot drills and skills asap!
Q. Are you ready to go toe to toe at the rink?
🕯Watch Video Clip: How Prepared Are You?
"A friend of mine once said, beauty's nice to look at, and yeah money gives us peace of mind, but if you really want to find love, first ...first find someone who is kind, and let all the other check boxes run behind.Not to say there not important too, but before I hold the keys to your heart, one needs to see how your interior is designed. How have you arranged your furniture? Don't be fooled and fall for what's beautiful to find portraits hanging behind broken walls, where the boards are cracked and the paint is peeling, look for someone who's kind for no reason."
~Louis The Hippie
A poetic excerpt from Louis The Hippie on love in the form of kindness.
First shine loves light upon youself. Then, reserve your love for someone who is kind.
🕯Watch Video Clip: Love In Kindness [Valentines Day Message]
"I'm not gonna dim my light, I am gonna shine at full wattage, I am gonna proceed and pursue the dreams that keep waking me up at night. I am going to choose that even in a difficult situation, I'm gonna be the bridge, I'm not going to be someone that tears people down, I'm gonna lift people up. I'm going to keep being the example of the person I wish would come talk to me, would show up for me."~ Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys was sure - don't spend time diming your own light. Pursue your dreams while embracing all the stages of the journey.
Remember, we're coming into this scene with years behind us already. So, why not make the very best of the experience.
Enjoy the journey and celebrate the small wins as you - they matter. They are paving the way for bigger things. Appreciate just how much you give to the process, and continue to show up as best you can. This in itself will brighten your light.
Q. Do you appreviate/enjoy the small wins, or do you spend more time stressing about the things you haven't yet done?
🕯Watch Video Clip: Pursue Your Dreams
January Reflections
"Your journey is YOUR journey and dont compare it to someone elses, and don't think that something has to happen for you the way it happened for somebody else - or the way you think it happened for somebody else.
You give yourself completely to what you are doing because its in you to do. You give yourself completely to your studies as a student, because its in you to do.
The measure of excellence is measured by your commitment to your work. That's the measure of excellence."
~ Phylicia Rashad
Phylicia Rashad stated it so well. No two paths are the same. This is the truth. We should always aim to approach things in a way that fits our own specific needs - and desired outcomes.
We each want something different from the journey. We go through the various stages at different rates. We meet the experience from different stabd points. Therefore, we should respect our differences. Do what works for you. Switch some things up if and when you choose to.
Just keep going - in your own unique way.
Q. Are you moving through in a way that feels right for you?
🕯Watch Video Clip: Your Journey Is Unique
"Can I say? You lot are taking the mick. These 50 year olds are different! Nah, nah, I don't know what you're eating, what happened in that year - what is it? The 1979's? Like, I don't know what's been going on, but you're different - your skins glowing, your body shape good, everything set straight, your face - there's no wrinkles, it's smooth like it's been ironed, your energy levels suroass us in our 40's and 30's, even in our 20's. Everything cut, everything firm ....I mean, all size, all shape, your intelligence is there, your conversation, your vibe ...you lot not tired? 50 is young anyway, but you lot are taking the mick!"~ Judi Love
Shout out to my fellow 50 plusers. Yes, that's right, it's our time! 🔥
Like Judi Love just said, we ARE actually going on different - there's simply no other way to go, right? And, no - let's not look at the other options! 😅
Q. What do you think about the 50 plusers in our community? Are we showing up differently? And, is there something in the water?
🕯Watch Video Clip: 50 Years Of Age Be Like...
"Don't let life ...f**k you up! It's yours. It's yours to drive. Get up in the morning, write down what your gonna do in a day. Be happy on your way to your job, even if you don't like it. You've gotta be happy on your way to happy, don't think your gonna get there and be happy. You carry yourself with you."
~ Jenifer Lewis
Sorry for the explicits, but Jenife Lewis said what she said, and I felt her words!
Oftentimes, as skaters, we get so wrapped up with PUSHING towards our skate goals and generally being unsatisfied with where we are at. We seem to think that life will be better once qwe can do this or that! But [in my experience], that's just not how it works. Yes, we're likely to feel the sweetness once we eventually hit our target.
It's the challenge of the journey [and the time it takes to get there] that paves the way for us to experience the sweetness. It wouldn't mean as much if we could all hit that milestone in a day!
We have huge respect for those that are accomplished in their skills, because we understand that they've put in the work. If you want to reach those levels, you have to too. So, if we can relax a bit, trust the process, and enjoy the whole journey for what it is - we can't lose.
Q. Is this the big unspoken lesson?
🕯Watch Video Clip: Be Happy On You Way To Happy
Hold tight untill next months Wisdom Skate Reflections - I've gottcha!
Kelly
Cranial Osteopath | Wellbeing Coach | Roller Skate Instructor
🗯️ Which was you favourite Wisdom Quote and why? Share your point of view in the comments or, leave us a lil emoji response.
