Blading is a lot of things to a lot of people, but something it’s really good at is often overlooked: creating a relatively safe venue for dudes to talk.
Yes, today we are fortunate to have a fast growing community of bladies and non-gender specific bladers — thank god! The bigger we can make the tent that houses our community, the more likely we are to bring new people and perspectives into the fold. These are righteous and noble goals we align with fully.
But today that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re specifically talking about the weird, sometimes unhealthy world of masculinity that hurts ourselves as much as those around us — and how just getting together with your blade buddy is a great antidote against all that stress.
Because let’s be real: life throws a lot of shit at us. Some of us are better at laughing it off than others, but no matter what it all adds up. Talking about it with friends can be a great way to keep from bottling it all up.
I’ve been a session buddy. I bet you have. And I’ve needed the blade buddy to come to my own rescue plenty of times, too.
A blade buddy is open for deep conversations — but deep conversation is not a requirement.
The blade buddy understands there are no easy answers to the complex questions of life.
Sometimes it’s the silence a blade buddy can provide that is the most valuable.
Because feeling the ground rolling beneath your feet, wind pushing through your hair, grinding a ledge or rail, and maybe slamming your ass on the ground once or twice, is its own sort of therapy.
So are the dumb jokes, encouraging words, and sharing a moment outside of life’s regular tempo made possible by the love of rollerblading.
Let this be a reminder that you never know what someone else is going through. We are all complex individuals with our own internal stories and struggles, and sometimes just showing up to roll and laugh with your blade buddy — or having someone show up when you need them! — can keep things rolling smoothly across the potholes and cracked concrete of life.
Most days it’s not the tricks that really matter — it’s just knowing someone else is rolling beside you.— JE
They mean skateboarding but same.
[The END]
