Anonymous asked: I'm sure this sounds cliche, but I saw what you said about caring about what others think of your skating. Don't. Skate because you love it. There are people out there who will never have any single jumps or any spins, but they still skate. Keep it up, because skating's in your blood. It never leaves. I left skating while I was in college, and came back. Now, my skills have significantly diminished, but I don't mind - because I love skating for skating. Please don't get discouraged!

Thank you so much for the note! It can be hard sometimes, I’ve always had a weird combination of a thin and thick skin. Once someone is rude to me, I get my hackles raised and I’m ready to fight and argue. But if I’m just worrying and anticipating that someone might be rude, I get all freaked out.

Part of the problem isn’t that I care if they think I can’t skate. I’m aware of my deficiencies and I know what my own successes are! But I’m really bothered by the idea that they think I’m somehow holding them back, getting in their way, etc., simply because they have to share the ice with me. Objectively I know they don’t own the rink, they don’t set the rules, but man does it stress me out! I don’t like feeling at fault for something.

But I don’t think I’d ever genuinely leave it behind. At least not while I have knees and a solid pair of skates. If the cost/restricted rink time/falls/plateaus haven’t gotten to me yet, snottiness is the least of my worries in the long run.

I’m happy to hear you came back to skating! Best of luck!