I’ve decided to teach myself how to longboard.

I have wanted to learn to longboard for many years now, but I am A) so clumsy (lest we forget, I broke my ankle tripping over the tiny curb in the garage last year), B) prone to embarrassment, and C) not a fan of learning new things (former GT kid here. I shouldn’t have to learn things, I should just know them already, and if I don’t, I am a failure. A blog…or therapy session…for another time.). But for some reason, a couple of months ago (you know, right after having my second kid because that’s the best possible time for this), I decided to buy myself a longboard.

And then I decided to leave it in my closet for two months.

I thought about starting during those two months, but I always found a reason not to (please refer to items A, B, and C from earlier). Finally, the other day, I decided to go. Honestly, it was mostly because I needed to be away from my house and unavailable for a while. And being outside this time of year is good for my soul, so I went.

I was immediately bad.

I expected, logically, to be bad. I am not coordinated, light on my toes, or any kind of athletic. After nine months of being pregnant (and a decade of being lazy), I am not in shape. I knew in my head I was not going to pick this up quickly.

In my heart, though, I thought maybe I would.

I did not.

After spending ten minutes or so trying to figure out what to do with my feet and stopping every time someone walked by so I didn’t face plant in front of them, I finally googled “how to ride a longboard” and watched a Youtube video where a girl who looked much cooler than me told me the possible positions to put my feet in. Apparently, the style I ride in is called “goofy” which is honestly the most appropriate term for how I’m sure I look wobbling at 0.2mph in my big blue helmet (I’m still a mom, y’all. Safety first.).

You guys. Turns out, I love longboarding.

It took me several attempts, but I (almost) have the hang of it now. I can go without falling, push to continue moving, twist my feet in the correct position, and even glide back and forth to avoid obstacles on the sidewalk. I am still by no means what you would call “good,” but I am much better than when I started. And I am having a blast learning.

Every couple of days, when Sam gets off work, I leave the babies with him and go ride for an hour on a trail near my house. I put in my headphones, step on my board, and just forget about the responsibilities of life for a while. I’m positive that I look like a huge dork, but I do feel pretty cool, and that’s really what counts, right?

I guess it can be nice to learn something new.