Anonymous asked: I understand that you may well have given up on going to freestyles - but I'll try to persuade you anyway. I'm a beginning skater. Everyone my age is doing doubles and I'm still working away at my toe loop. I've just learnt my first spin. Freestyles seemed so daunting, I felt looked down on and felt like I was interrupting people with more important practice to do than me. But I decided to change my attitude and consider myself a proper skater. Everyone doing doubles once had to do a (cont)

single toe loop. Now I have a much more positive attitude - I try to practice my hardest so I’m not the weakest on the session anymore. I watch the high level skaters and let them inspire me. I’ve improved so much because of this (although I’m still not as good as you - I haven’t started loop or scratch spin!) and I’m so glad I got over it. I really hope you can do the same <3

I really appreciate this note and I want to say that I’m glad you’re working through the basics. Loops and scratch spins are just around the corner!

I love skating and I want to get better. And I have a great group of very supportive women that I skate with (as well as an amazing coach) that I lean on when I’m feeling insecure. It’s a small community within the community at large, but I love them. So I know I’ll get over my fear eventually! Right now, I’m in the process of moving apartments and I’ve got a health thing to get sorted, and the rink will probably be adjusting their schedule again soon. But once those two things are out of the way I’m going to work freestyle sessions into my routine.

I promise I’ll update about it once I finally do!