In 2021, I took on a 365 Challenge, skating every single day for a full year. Some days, I trail skated several miles, and other days, I just rolled around my kitchen while making dinner. The key was that I kept showing up. That experience taught me that getting better at skating is less about big, show-stopping achievements and more about small, consistent steps. Setting skate goals isn’t about perfection — it’s about growth, consistency, and finding a reason to lace up regularly.

Start With Meaningful, Realistic Goals

If you’re tempted to write down something like “do a backflip on skates by March” (hey, do you, but that’s pretty ambitious), try focusing on realistic, bite-sized goals instead. Maybe you’ve always wanted to feel more stable going downhill, or finally learn to transition from skating forward to backward without feeling like a baby deer. Those are legit, solid goals. Specific is better than vague, and progress is better than instant mastery. Some other suggestions:

• Endurance Marker: By the end of March, skate continuously for 30 minutes without feeling like your lungs are on fire.
• Skill Milestone: Learn to smoothly transition from skating forward to backward by the end of February.
• Exploration Challenge: Find and skate at three new spots this spring: maybe a quiet parking lot, a local trail, or an empty basketball court.

Being specific and realistic means you can celebrate little wins along the way, and that’s pretty motivating!

Focus on Fundamentals Before Getting Flashy

Before you try working on complex footwork or park moves, it’s important to nail the basics. This could be practicing balance drills, footwork patterns, or simple agility moves. Then, work your way up to bigger movements. I’ve seen a lot of newer skaters decide to visit the skate park before they’re ready, and this could lead to frustration at best and injury at worst. Want to feel more confident at the park? Spend time on gentle ramps first. Want to look cool at the rink? Lock down your crossovers and backward gliding. Interested in beginning roller derby? Derby stance, derby stance, derby stance. 

Regardless of the style of skating you want to learn, strength and stability exercises (like squats or lunges on skates) can help you find that elusive smoothness that helps make skating feel effortless.

Consistency Over Perfection

If my 365 Challenge taught me anything, it’s that showing up regularly beats waiting for the perfect day. Not every session will be stellar or groundbreaking — you’ll have some that are downright clumsy or just “meh”. That’s normal. Celebrate tiny wins, like the day you finally feel steady on one foot, the moment you roll over a crack without panicking, or the time you get all 8 wheels off the ground to jump over something. These small victories stack up over time!

Gear & Safety: Because Broken Bones Aren’t a Vibe

Goals aren’t limited to skills. This could be the year you upgrade your wheels, finally get a helmet that fits right, or commit to regular maintenance so your bearings don’t hiss at you. Feeling safer and smoother on your skates makes hitting your targets way less stressful.

Community & Accountability

Skating can feel like a solo pursuit, but involving others can keep you motivated. Maybe join a local skate group, find an online community, or pair up with a friend who’ll encourage you (and call you out when you’re slacking). Accountability can turn a “maybe I’ll skate today” into “hell yeah, let’s do this.”

Track Your Progress (Trust Me, It’s Motivating)

Keep a simple journal, use your notes app, or even just snap a quick video of yourself every skate session. Watching yourself improve over time is equal parts inspiring and validating. When you see how far you’ve come, it’s easier to stay committed. I documented my 365 Challenge by posting an Instagram reel every day. Choosing cool filters and music to document my skating videos made the whole thing even more fun.

Adapt & Adjust

Life happens. If an injury, busy schedule, or plain old burnout knocks you off course, tweak your goals. This isn’t about punishing yourself — it’s about enjoying yourself and letting your skating journey evolve with you. Goals should guide you, not trap you.

Let’s Go!

The new year is a blank slate, so why not scribble some skating goals on it? Whether you’re aiming to skate every day (been there, loved it), learn a few new tricks, or just feel more confident rolling around your neighborhood, remember that this is your journey. Make it meaningful, make it fun, and most importantly, make it custom so it keeps you engaged.

P.S. Want to keep track of your progress and stay inspired? Download my free PDF weekly challenge sheet — it’s a fun printable guide that gives you a different skill to work on each week! Feel free to modify it to suit your own skating journey in 2025. And, if you need some pointers, reach out to me to schedule a learning session!

The post Roll Into The New Year by Setting Skate Goals appeared first on Janna Stevens.

When I began my yoga teaching journey, I had a lot of big goals. I aimed to wake up every morning to meditate. I planned to practice asana every day. I was prepared to supplement my yoga practice with strength training. In other words, I wanted to be the kind of teacher who set a good example for students. But life often has other plans. And when there’s a pandemic looming over our heads and affecting every aspect of our lives, we do what we have to do to get through the days, the weeks, and the months.

I spent an inordinate amount of time in my teens and twenties striving for perfection. If I reread something in my journal that seemed irrelevant or silly to me, I started a new journal — it’s how I’ve amassed an embarrassingly hefty collection of notebooks over the years. If I wasn’t good at a task or activity immediately, I’d feel so discouraged that I’d quit (it’s why I still claim to dislike the game Settlers of Catan after only playing it once). Going through yoga teacher training was actually the kick in the ass I needed to not only accept imperfection but also develop a reverence for it.

Practice is the goal.

I’m not a perfect yogi. I’m not a perfect skater. I’m not perfect at anything I do, and I feel okay saying that now. Yoga teacher training showed me that practice is the goal. Patanjali’s first yoga sutra, Atha yoganusasanam, or “now we begin the practice of yoga” was the first lesson my instructors discussed to kick off my training. The more I thought about this, the more I realized that every time we step on our mat, sit to meditate, lace up our skates, or work on breathing techniques, we’re starting a practice. It’s the epitome of “come as you are.” It’s more about the journey than a particular destination. So, as you read my blog, speak to me in person, or take a class from me, please remember that my goal is never to be perfect or to encourage you to be perfect. It’s to be real and connect with you through the real. It’s to meet you where you are and guide you with the knowledge I’ve amassed as a teacher. Ultimately, my goal is to support you. We’re all on our own journeys, and the most important thing we can do for one another is cheer each other on.

The post Practice Doesn’t Make Perfect (And That’s Okay) appeared first on Janna Stevens.

Nearly a month has passed since I made the difficult decision to step away from roller derby, and I’m still untangling the mess of emotions that came with it. While the choice wasn’t easy, there’s also a strange sense of relief. Putting my thoughts into words has been helping me unravel what I’ve been carrying.

The Alabama All-Stars had a game in Tuscaloosa at the end of September — a game I’d already decided would be my last for 2024. On our drive to the venue, Brian cracked a harmless derby-related joke, setting off an emotional bomb. I responded, “Nothing about this sport brings me joy anymore,” and the words hit me harder than I expected. I’d known it for a while, but saying it out loud made it real. I still tried to push through that day. I did my bout day tasks for the first two games, then geared up and took my spot on the bench, ready to block. But after just one jam, I was back on the bench in tears. I played a few more jams in the first half, but by the second half, I knew I was done. Not just for the day. For good.

Derby brought me a lot of happiness for a while after the pandemic. Playing locally wasn’t an option for me, so I joined Tuscaloosa’s team. This meant long hours of commuting for practices and games. Even though the time spent out of town was brutal, my teammates became my second family. They lifted me up and gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have had if I’d skated closer to home. But life shifted. My car became less reliable, my new pup Finn needed more attention than Oscar had, and work and family demands piled up. Earlier in 2024, I took a leave of absence and got a taste of what life could be like without spending hours out of town each week. By the time my leave ended, I knew I liked the extra time too much to go back as a skater.

I stayed on the state team hoping to keep derby in my life. But not practicing regularly made it hard to grow, and I started to feel overlooked and undervalued. Imposter syndrome crept in, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that if the state team had been more established when I tried out, I probably wouldn’t have made the cut.

While in Michigan for a tournament, I learned that I wouldn’t be playing much in the first game. Despite assurance that my playtime would increase throughout the weekend, the news was a blow to my already fragile mental state, and I cried to Brian on the phone that night. I tried to be a good sport, but I felt expendable and found myself further questioning my place on the team. It felt like I was just a body filling a roster spot. It was hard to feel unseen, even as an introvert who thrives in solitude. It was difficult to recognize my value when everything inside of me told me I could easily be replaced. Feelings aren’t facts, but they still deeply affected my self-worth.

I spiraled into doubt. Why did derby sometimes feel like a popularity contest, even among a supportive team? Was my quiet nature mistaken for indifference? Could I have shown more enthusiasm or been more engaged? Should I have stuck around after practices or been more animated on the bench?

Lack of support weighed on me, too. I joined derby for myself, but it became increasingly harder to stay motivated when no one showed up to my games. What stung the most was hearing someone I care about admit they didn’t want to watch my games being streamed because they just didn’t like to watch roller derby — even though they are actively involved in the sport. That deepened my feelings of isolation and made me question why I was pouring so much into something that felt so one-sided.

I recognize now that much of the stress I felt is a natural part of playing higher-level derby. The more competitive environment simply wasn’t a good fit for me and was exacerbated by not being able to practice as much as my teammates. I’m not inherently competitive, and the pressures of a higher-level environment only highlighted this fact.

It’s eye-opening to reconcile how something that once brought me so much happiness and fulfillment could later cause more pain and stress than anything else. This isn’t the first time it’s happened; first yoga, now derby. Both became huge parts of my life, making stepping away feel like surrendering a piece of who I am. Losing them forces me to confront difficult questions: Who am I without these passions? Who do I want to be moving forward?

When I dive into something, I tend to go all in, often allowing my hobbies to occupy so much mental space that they become part of my identity. As I navigate this loss, I’m learning that my worth isn’t tied to what I do. Untangling myself from something I’ve invested so deeply in is challenging, but I’m working to find balance — learning how to enjoy what I love without letting it define me.

There are also deeper issues within roller derby’s culture that didn’t align with my needs — particularly its DIY ethos, which often chews up and spits out those who volunteer their time and energy. The burnout from juggling the demands of gameplay and the expectation to keep everything running smoothly took its toll. It wouldn’t be fair to place all the blame on myself or the sport entirely. Ultimately, it was a combination of these factors that led me to step away.

I originally intended to learn to be a referee, but the truth is, I know it’s going to hurt to be involved in the sport without playing it. At this point, I don’t even want to put on gear or be involved in any capacity. Watching from the sidelines feels like a constant reminder of what I’ve lost, and I’m not ready to face that just yet. Maybe with time, I’ll feel differently. Maybe I’ll heal enough to see the sport through a new lens.

But for now, I need space. Letting go of something that was such a big part of my life wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. And I’m coming to terms with the fact that it’s okay if something doesn’t fit forever. Moving on doesn’t erase the joy, the friendships, or the growth I found through derby. It just means it’s time for a new chapter.

Will I ever go back? Maybe. But for now, I’m at peace with letting go.

The post When the Wheels Stop Turning appeared first on Janna Stevens.

The Toxic Cycle of Stress, Burnout, and Resentment

Maintaining a balance between passion for roller derby and daily life is an ongoing challenge. Stress, overcommitment, and exhaustion fuel emotional fatigue, physical injuries, and bitterness among skaters. Trying to find an equilibrium between the sport and personal life often leads to guilt and resentment. One skater confesses, “Roller derby was once my escape, but now it’s a source of anxiety and exhaustion.”

Post-COVID-19, the pressure has intensified. Leagues that survived the pandemic have pushed hard to make up for lost time, as a skater shares: “Coming back from isolation, we knew we had to act fast and decisively to regain our footing, so we poured a ton of time and effort into doing just that.” Another adds, “We’re proud that our efforts helped our league bounce back, but many of us are starting to feel the effects of the breakneck pace we set for ourselves after returning from COVID.” The relentless efforts made by skaters to rebuild their leagues is a clear indication of devotion to the sport, but it has come at the expense of their mental health and overall well-being.

Interpersonal drama and uneven participation can escalate the stress. When members need a break, they may face flak from teammates for not pulling their weight. This lack of empathy can compound feelings of frustration and bitterness. If key members shouldering the brunt of the workload step away, the remaining crew is left to pick up the slack, creating a domino effect of burnout and resentment.

The burden of league management often falls on boards and committees. These tasks include conflict resolution, enforcing bylaws, collecting dues, ensuring financial stability, organizing events, recruiting new members, and preserving league culture. Given these demands, it’s no wonder that members may be reluctant to take on leadership roles. As one skater candidly shares, “My current role in derby is a balancing act between ensuring my league’s survival and maintaining my own sanity to actually be able to play the game.” Another skater acknowledges the challenges, stating, “In leadership roles, we’re forced to tackle difficult decisions and navigate drama, pushing us to our limits.”

As a result, veteran members frequently bear the weight of leadership responsibilities, leading to burnout and resentment. Newer members stepping into leadership roles may find themselves facing the same cycle of exhaustion and frustration when experienced skaters relinquish their duties.

Resentment’s Ripple Effect

Resentment in roller derby arises from various sources, including burnout, imbalances in league responsibilities, interpersonal conflicts, and juggling on-track and off-track demands. If left unchecked, the combination of burnout and resentment can push even the most dedicated skaters to take a break or quit altogether.

While skaters must acknowledge their role in managing their emotions, leagues must also support members by minimizing burnout triggers. Encouraging empathy and understanding within leagues helps alleviate burnout and resentment, cultivating a supportive environment that fosters long-term engagement and enjoyment of the sport. To achieve this, leagues must reevaluate policies, emphasize self-care, and address factors contributing to resentment, ultimately creating a healthier atmosphere for all.

Reworking League Policies for Sustainable Skating

Here’s a hard truth for league leadership: skaters’ well-being should be your top priority, not rankings or game schedules. It’s crucial to adopt non-negotiable measures like open communication, flexible attendance policies, manageable season schedules, and a genuine commitment to members’ health.

As one skater notes, “Feeling valued is honestly so important.” Keep this insight in mind when making decisions that affect your athletes’ experiences. No bout, ranking, or ambition is worth sacrificing the sanity of your skaters.

Many leagues are already reevaluating their attendance policies and gameplay schedules. If skaters consistently struggle to show up, take it as a clear sign that your league may need to reevaluate its attendance policy. Some have already decided to eliminate attendance requirements altogether, while others are paring them down significantly. And while our sport thrives on competition, it’s also important to address the issue of competitive play within the context of your league’s size and attendance. It’s critical for leaders to be realistic about capacity and consider focusing on building a solid recreational foundation rather than striving for an ultra-competitive environment. There’s nothing wrong with embracing a more casual approach to the sport if that better serves the needs and well-being of your skaters.

Resist the urge to continuously pack schedules during periods when major governing bodies, like the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), don’t sanction games. This “derby never stops” mentality perpetuates an unhealthy cycle of overwork and burnout. Instead, champion a balanced schedule that includes a genuine off-season. This will provide skaters with much-needed downtime to rest, grow personally, and enjoy life beyond derby.

Organize workshops, seminars, and support groups that educate members about burnout, mental health, and self-care. This commitment fosters a supportive environment where skaters feel empowered to share experiences and seek help when needed. It’s also crucial to establish channels for gathering continual feedback from your members. Actively listening to their concerns and ideas will ensure your league remains responsive to your skaters’ evolving needs.

Finally, remember that skaters are not just sources of membership dues; they are the backbone of your league. Regularly check in on them, offer support when needed, and work to create a nurturing environment that values each individual. If you’re a league leader, keep growth in your purview, but never lose sight of the talented individuals who make this sport what it is. Ignoring their needs risks skaters taking time away or retiring altogether, robbing our sport of its vitality and talent.

It’s worth noting that not all leagues have formal leadership structures in place. In these cases, prioritizing open communication and collaboration is a must. When power dynamics become unbalanced or frustrating, members have to be able to voice their concerns and work together to help distribute responsibilities. To achieve this in your league, you can work to implement informal leadership roles, ad-hoc committees, and a system for rotating tasks. Seek advice from leagues with formal leadership roles — after all, building relationships both within and beyond our leagues will foster the growth and progress of the entire roller derby community.

Sharing Responsibility & Cultivating Self-Care

Newsflash for skaters: it’s not just the responsibility of your league’s leadership to mitigate burnout. You probably joined roller derby partly for the community, and a solid community means everyone pitches in. It’s imperative to divide up the work and support each other like our lives depend on it — because our derby lives do.

If we keep dumping responsibilities on the same handful of people, they’ll inevitably crash and burn. We have to break the vicious cycle of overburdening a few dedicated people until they burn out and pass the torch, only for the next group to inherit the same overwhelming workload. To end this pattern, get involved by taking on leadership roles, volunteering your time, or simply asking how you can help. By sharing the responsibilities, we can foster a healthier balance for everyone. This collaborative effort not only supports the well-being of our community members but also contributes to a more sustainable and vibrant future for roller derby as a whole.

As a skater, you also play a vital role in managing your own stress and staving off burnout. It’s essential to take breaks, listen to your body, and seek professional help for any physical or mental health issues. Establishing clear boundaries between your derby life and personal life is crucial too, and remember to explore hobbies or activities outside of roller derby (even if it’s just skating in a different form). By putting self-care at the forefront, you’ll not only benefit your own well-being but also contribute to a healthier, more supportive league environment.

Extinguishing the Burnout Blaze

Ultimately, tackling burnout in roller derby is a responsibility that falls on every single one of us. We must collaborate and communicate openly to build an environment that empowers and nurtures athletes. As one skater states, “We’re in this together, so let’s rally to find ways to support each other and prioritize our own well-being.”

It starts with tearing down the barriers that prevent honest discussions about burnout. Communication is key, and every voice matters. By openly sharing our experiences, we’ll not only shed light on the issue but also uncover innovative ways to support each other and maintain a balanced lifestyle within the sport we love.

As roller derby continues to evolve, prioritizing burnout prevention will be crucial in shaping its future. Focusing on the well-being of our athletes will help us create a more sustainable environment for junior skaters as they age up and join adult leagues. By nurturing a culture that values balance, support, and seamless transitions, we’ll prevent potential culture shock that might deter young athletes, ensuring roller derby continues to grow and reach new heights. And who knows? Maybe we’ll even see it on ESPN on the regular one day — but we’re not holding our breath on that.

The post Skate Against the Machine: Breaking the Cycle of Roller Derby Burnout appeared first on Janna Stevens.

Wheels

One of the most common questions I hear from new skaters is “When do I need to get different wheels?” The answer really depends on where you skate and what kind of skating you do. Wheels come in varying levels of hardness — the lower the number, the softer the wheel. Softer wheels are better for skating outdoors on rougher surfaces like asphalt and concrete, while harder wheels are better for skating indoors or on smooth concrete at skate parks. There are also hybrid wheels that some skaters use both outdoors and indoors. So, what wheels do I love?

Outdoor Skating

Radar Energy: These soft wheels are great for rolling over errant pebbles and sticks outside.

Moxi Gummy: I actually prefer these over the Radar Energies for street skating on rougher asphalt. These wheels are GIANT, so they can roll over debris easily while keeping you steady.

Sonar Zen: If you’re looking for a more affordable outdoor option, the Sonar Zens are great! They’re not quite as soft as the Energies or the Gummies, but they still work very well for outdoor skating.

Luminous: People seem to love Luminous wheels. And while I do enjoy their smoothness (most come in 85A) and overall aesthetic, I have sort of a cautionary warning for anyone interested in light-up wheels. There’s a little magnet that sits in between your bearings, and that’s what makes the wheels light up. This is awesome because you never have to worry about replacing any batteries. However, because there’s an extra piece in light up wheels that normal wheels don’t have, they take up more room on your axle. It’s recommended to screw on your axle nuts backwards so that these wheels stay put.

Indoor Skating

Rollerbones Day of the Dead: These wheels have slightly rounded edges and tread. I have the 94As, and they’ve been great for cruising around the rink and for derby footwork. It looks like these are sold out in a lot of places, but I highly recommend them if they ever come back in stock!

Radar Halos: After I became more experienced with roller derby, Halos were my go-to. I typically skated on an 88A/91A split regardless of the floor (I’m a grippy gal). These wheels are affordable and lightweight!

I’ve also tried Luminous Wheels in 97A at the rink, and although they’re fun because they light up, I don’t love them for anything besides cruising. I got some Moxi Trick wheels as a gift and have also tried those at the rink, but I didn’t really like them either — they’re very slim and they’re treaded, which meant that any little piece of gunk or dirt I picked up at the rink caused major impact to my skating.

Park Skating

When I was a baby park skater, I used Moxi Fundaes, which are a hybrid wheel with 92A hardness. They are smooooooooth like butter, and I really love them. I highly recommend them for the skate park or just for smooth outdoor surfaces. One caveat is that as you gain more experience at the skatepark, these wheels won’t give you the speed that’s required for a lot of advanced tricks.

These days, I roll on CIB Park Wheels (which, unfortunately, have been discontinued) and Estro Jen Bowl Bombers. I’m at the point where I think I need a very hard wheel at the park to get the speed I need for stalls in bowls and half pipes.

Toe Stops

Depending on the kind of skates you have, your toe stops will either be bolt-on or adjustable. I don’t have recommendations for bolt-on stops (sorry!), but I do have a few go-to adjustable stops.

Chaya Cherry Bombs: These have been my favorite toe stops for outdoor skating, and they were the first pair that I wore down (outside of the stock toe stops that came on my Moxi skates.)

Gumball: I’ve only used the natural version of the Gumball stops, but now they come in a variety of cool colors and hardnesses! These are extremely durable and have lasted me quite a long time. There’s also a giant version of the Gumballs called the Superball, and I used this one for derby.

Grindstone Heartstoppers: These toe stops are adorable, and I have a pair on my non-derby indoor setup. However, I would not use them for derby! The shape and slickness of the Heartstoppers make stopping quickly awkward.

You may notice that toe stops typically have long or short stem versions. The version you get comes down to personal preference and the kind of skating you do. I prefer short stem toe stops at the skate park, because long stems could potentially trip you up. I like long stems for derby because I rely on my toe stops a lot for footwork and pushing, and I also prefer long stems for outdoor skating. I don’t jam skate, but potentially, both long and short-stem toe stops can get in the way of a lot of dance moves. Never fear though! There are plenty of varieties of jam plugs you can use if you’re looking to get into jam skating.

Tools & Stuff

Rollerbones Bearings: If you have wheels, you need bearings to put in them (two per wheel). Rollerbones bearings are very inexpensive and are primarily what I use.

Bones Bearing Cleaning Unit: If you skate outdoors a lot, your bearings will eventually need to be cleaned. I use the Bones cleaning unit and 100% acetone to wash my bearings, then I lay them on a paper towel to dry.

Bones Speed Cream: If you ever clean your bearings, you’ll also want to lubricate them before putting them back in your wheels. I use Bones Speed Cream for that. It only takes a drop, so the little bottle will last you for a while!

Y3 and Y4 tools: I have both of these tools, and they’re so convenient! If your skates have toe stop locknuts, the Y3 is great and allows you to adjust the locknuts on your toe stops as well as the axle nuts to remove/replace your wheels and your truck kingpins. The Y4 is great for toe stops that require an allen wrench, plus it also allows you to adjust axle nuts, kingpins, and micro-adjustable kingpins.

Moxi Skate Tool: This inexpensive little buddy goes on your keychain so you always have a way to tighten/loosen your axle nuts. You never know when axle nuts can come loose, especially when you’re rolling on rough, bumpy outdoor surfaces, so this is a convenient and small option to help keep you safe.

Powerdyne Bearing Press: You do NOT need a bearing press to remove and replace your bearings, but this thing is a huge convenience for me. I find the whole bearing cleaning process to be a big chore, but this bearing press saves me a lot of time. If you change your bearings a good bit, I definitely recommend it. If not, I’d stick to a simple bearing hand tool instead.

There you have it! These are just some of my recommendations — I could write a whole other post about safety gear and actual skate boots (and I probably will in the future.) I’m an open book, so if you have specific questions about the items I discuss in this post, please feel free to reach out for more thoughts! The world of hardware and accessories really can be overwhelming, so I would love to help you focus less on those questions so you have more time to enjoy your rolling experience.

The post Roller Skate Hardware I Love appeared first on Janna Stevens.

From Peace to Pandemic

Let me start with some background. In early March of 2020, I was at Alabama’s lovely Cheaha State Park attending HereNowYoga’s annual mindfulness retreat. This retreat kicked off my yoga teacher training with a group of 11 other students who I would come to know as my “sangha.” During that retreat, we got word that the world was shutting down because of rising Covid-19 cases. I came back from a beautiful, peaceful experience of being sequestered away from daily life by choice to a world of obligatory isolation and uncertainty. And I knew my mental health would suffer if I didn’t find channels to keep myself engaged and active. Enter roller skating. I’d done it as a casual hobby in middle school and again in my late twenties. Because I couldn’t really do a lot of group activities during the pandemic, I decided to fully lean into skating.

Roller skating actually experienced a surge in popularity during the pandemic thanks to TikTok, but I get why! It’s a fun way to exercise, and it’s easy to do alone. I began following other skaters on social media and was inspired by those skating daily and the progress they were making. So as I began thinking about what I wanted to accomplish in the next year, I decided I wanted to try skating every day for a whole year and document it on Instagram. That was the only New Year’s goal I made for 2021.

The Lessons

I could probably talk your ear off about the endless fun experiences I had during my 2021 skating adventure. I tried several unofficial skate spots here in Birmingham like parking lots, parking decks, and just parks. I took my skates on a plane to keep up with the challenge while traveling. I visited skate parks in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Tennessee. If you ever want to have coffee or a drink with me, I’ll tell you all the details. But if you know me well, you probably know I try to boil big experiences in my life down to the lessons I learned from them. So more important than the little details are the big lessons. Here are my top three takes.

Progress is progress.

Don’t beat yourself up if the steps you take to you accomplish your goal aren’t exactly what you thought they’d be. When I set my goal, I told myself I’d skate at least 45 minutes every day. But some days, I was just too effin’ tired. There were many evenings after a long workday that I skated for only 10 minutes. The first few times I did, I felt like a fraud — was I really putting forth my best effort if I didn’t skate for the amount of time I’d planned? But anytime I had those thoughts, I’d tell myself that I was still spending time on wheels. Wasn’t that ultimately my intention? Progress is progress, my friend.

You can see it through.

I’ve started so many things in my life that I just haven’t finished — books, craft projects, and a short-lived candle-making phase, just to name a few. When I set the goal to skate every day of 2021, I had a little nagging voice in the back of my mind telling me that I’d eventually give up just like I’ve done on many other plans. Even when I hit the 6-month mark, I had doubts that I’d get to a full year. You know what, though? My inner cheerleader and advocate was louder than the little buzz of doubt in the back of my mind. Or maybe I’ve just learned to hear them better.

Choose what brings you joy when you can.

If you genuinely enjoy doing what you’re doing, it won’t feel like a task. When I decided to try running a few years ago, I held out for a while. Finally, I had to admit that I just didn’t like running. Every time I’d lace up my shoes to run, it felt like a chore, and it was because running didn’t truly make me happy. I know we can’t only do what makes us happy all the time, but when we get to, it sure doesn’t feel like hard work.

Looking back on my year of skating, I see it wasn’t just about the streak but about reclaiming joy when it felt scarce. Even on tough days, hitting the pavement brought a smile and a sense of accomplishment. So, whether you’re facing uncertainty or just want to shake up your routine, remember that it’s okay to take small steps, adjust your goals, and prioritize joy. Keep rolling; the journey is what makes it all worthwhile.

The post Three Things I Learned from Skating Every Day for a Year appeared first on Janna Stevens.