On Sunday I did something that many people do every day, but for me it was a long way out of my comfort zone.

I wore rollerblades!

About 20 years ago I decided to buy rollerblades in the post-Christmas sales. I was going to get fit, and be one of those people who rollerbladed along St Kilda beach.

Well, my dream was ended rather abruptly when about 6 steps in to my new activity when I broke my back.

I have made a full recovery, physically.

But for several years I could not even watch others rollerblade.

And for longer I got nervous on any slippery surface.

In the back of my mind was the fact that the rollerblades won.

I had this idea about just wearing some rollerblades once more and just standing in them. Maybe for a minute. To even the scales a bit. But I let fear stop me.

Then last year my sister-in-law invited me to go roller-skating with her, my brother and their young kids.

I decided it was my chance!

And then we went into lockdown.

Fast forward to this year and the invitation was reissued – mother’s day at the skating rink!

My expectations were low, and my trepidation high. I had a goal to stand in the rollerblades, but was fully prepared to not even mange that.

My brother suggested roller skates instead, but it had to be the blades.

The rental counter handed over my size 7s and I went back to our table.

Step 1 – putting them on- went ok.

Standing up… I was not sure it was going to happen! But after quite a bit of self-talk I stood. And then let go of the table. For a minute!

Then I sat back down.

Part 3 was going from the table to the seat beside the rink – holding my brothers hand. I managed to shuffle across. I watched people of all ages skate and shuffle about the rink. And started moving around a bit myself, on the carpet.

After a while I realised that my rollerblade confidence was at it’s limit, so I switched them out for rollerskates – with the wheels tightened.

And I am proud to say that after quite a few trips along one edge of the rink holding the rail, I did a full lap of the rink without holding onto anything or anyone!

It was slow. It was wobbly in places. It was more shuffle than skate.

But I feel I have conquered my fear of being on skates, and am going to go again!