To The Unsealed Community,

There was a period when I was 24 years old when I was drowning in guilt, stress, and confusion. I was engaged to an incredible person. But, sadly, my beautiful ring felt more like a handcuff than a gift, as it chained me to a life I was not yet ready to live. How was I supposed to tell someone who loved me, encouraged me, and lived with me that I just wasn’t ready?

It wasn’t easy, but I burst into tears one morning and let my feelings out. As my ex-fiance played the song Breakeven by The Script, I packed up and left. Hurting someone, I cared about – someone who would have never hurt me – was one of – if not the most – difficult thing I have ever done.

Even though I left him, the days and months after our breakup were not easy for me. The guilt was exhausting. I questioned my decision – or why I felt the way I did in the first place. Not to mention, I missed my best friend, who I ate dinner with every night and shared every bit of my day with for four years.

Immediately after I moved out, I started to escape into my safe space. I’d lace up and take off 6 – 10 miles every day. Rollerblading was my safe space. At the time, Central Park was my go-to path. I’d go around the big loop, stop at the fountain near the boathouse around 72nd street, and just be still for about ten minutes before I headed back.

I always skated by myself. Skating helped me dump whatever weight I carried – literally and metaphorically speaking. It cleared my head and released a lot of tension. Over time, after many miles, I started to heal and move on with my life (as did he).

To this day, I still skate regularly, and it’s still very much a safe space for me. Whether it’s a loss, a relationship, career woes, or anything else making me feel stuck or trapped in my own life, my skates can and will always set me free.