How I Skateboard With Social Anxiety

[@ZackDowdy]

Share your tips for skateboarding with social anxiety below! The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/zackdowdy09211

[@Ayd3n.405]

I'd say wearing headphones and listening to music can help you focus on skating more and less on other people

[@ZackDowdy]

@@Ayd3n.405 100%

[@i-never-look-at-replies-lol]

Realize the majority of humans don't have the courage to do things on their own or operate independently. The real test begins when you go out to eat by yourself and don't bring your phone.

[@darkwaterblack]

I can relate to all that you said here. I remember turning up at a Skatepark and not getting out of the car till everyone that looked better than me had left. Now if I turn up and there's a load of good skaters ripping I like to watch and study their lines, get talking to them, ask how they get speed out of a certain corner or something and before I know it I'm joining in the session.

[@TipsyFGC]

I feel way cooler falling off a skateboard then I ever felt just walking in public. I can even approach random skaters and ask them if they want to ride or whatever. Skating has helped my social anxiety so much.

[@charliereis]

Great bowl skating! There's something in psychology called the "spotlight effect" this is when you perceive that people are focusing on you and your behaviors when in reality, most people don't notice or care. Skating definitely has a huge psychological component and I think any skater can admit to feeling nervous or pressured during some point while skating. I think being welcoming to others and trying to create a good atmosphere at skate parks definitely helps people relax -- especially true for helping beginners feel more comfortable.

[@JBezza]

A great example of this is C-roys game of skate in BATB 12. Guy got skunked and messed up easy tricks cos he was nervous and under pressure

[@encyclopediabrown1334]

I dont know why but I get that so bad. For example, Ernie Torres is a local and I have skated with him and seen him film at spots since I was 16. Ramondetta and Dompierre as well. But when i am skating and know that they or just anyone is watching I turn to spaghetti.

[@jodo1971]

Same. As I’ve gotten older, my social anxiety has gotten worse.

[@robertborden2666]

I’m coming up on 45 and have only been back at it a little more than a year. But at this age, most people are happy to let me be and just get stoked when I pull something off that is unexpected or a “still got it” moment. Internally, I feel I am a young kid who is still learning how to ski and looking to one day get to a good level. The people who watch me simply appreciate that there is someone out there breaking tradition by skating at an age when most people start to slow down tremendously. A lot of my peers complain about back, knee, and foot pain. I’ll do it for me, and try my best to stay out of that camp.

[@JillySkates]

I feel you big time. I hate skating around people. I feel like everyone is staring haha

[@JoshuaJeffersFL]

Big thing for me is to already be warmed up and skating with some flow before other people show up. If I show up to a spot, or a park where I have to get warmed up in the mix of people already ripping, I am so uncomfortable and that gives me a ton of anxiety. Even though, I know, that no one actually cares about someone warming up. Crazy how our mind works against us sometimes. Having some things to skate at my house has also made learning tricks easier, so I can do them faster once I go out and about.

[@svensnijer2131]

I would not imagine somebody with such great skating skills as yourself to feel anxiety in a skatepark. Love your honesty and really like your videos. Learning on different levels here.

[@turbojugendgelderland34]

Starting to learn how to skate at 35 with literally no prior experience on a board and social anxiety has meant getting up extremely early to just be at the park before everyone else and practice.

[@MC_795]

It’s why I skate early in the morning by myself mostly. No reason to change that honestly. I know myself and what works for me. Also, you and Al rip

[@cloakedgod3026]

Best advice, don’t wanna waste time at the park because you’re scared to look like a newb. Just go when it’s empty and build confidence

[@ImageMaven]

Love this Zack. I see social anxiety a bit like learning a new trick - you gotta commit! As a 58 year old female skater I feel this. But I’m blessed to have a wonderful bunch of local skaters who never judge me. That’s skateboarding!

[@paullucci]

This is great to hear from someone at your skill level. I went to a new (to me) park last Sunday. There were several very good skaters already ripping. I couldn’t believe how much it effected my skating. It was like I couldn’t get my legs to warm up at all. One of the guys was like “oh hey did you just start skating”. I’ve been skating for years. Feels bad, man.

[@samle9207]

Thanks for sharing. Life is tough man and it's important to have homies that understand you and got your back.

[@antihero898]

Man, the whole "not caring when a kid" bit is so true. I often wonder why I get social anxiety when rolling up to a crowded park now vs. when I was a kid and it must just be a situation of being less oblivious and more aware of my surroundings at an older age. Really glad you made this video.

[@brandonw675]

As someone in their late 30's, this was really dope; I needed it. Appreciate you sharing

[@troymacarthur]

I just recently started skating again in my 40's. I suffered from different anxiety disorders CBT has helped. But as a 10 year old til my 20's I got anxiety doing group activities or sports so skating was the place where I excelled. however, like you mentioned I hated people watching me and being complimentary. I became a big fish in a small pond and early in my 20's gave it up for academics. Thats one of my biggest regrets. Now as a former street skater, I'm starting from scratch skating transition and maybe some curbs and rails. I have never found a channel I connect with more. You are an amazing skater with tons of RPMs and it shows in your style. Thanx.

[@omgnagel2897]

I have this as well but also just genera anxiety it’s kinda held me back from progressing because I think of the 100s of ways a trick could go wrong it’s a battle but the most important thing is to just keep pushing.

[@matthewayres1104]

So many skaters have had videos about living with physical and mental issues recently and I am HERE for it. 🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@KyleAndersonSkates]

I relate to this so much. and spot on with the transition vs street. I feel like sessions in transition are so much less about how gnarly you are, even if it's some big session, others are hyped on little things, even just carving. street section sessions you need to throw down bangers or it looks like you dont know what youre doing. at least thats how I perceive it at times.

[@markrivers4179]

Some fantastic bowl skating on view by you two..The thing I found especially starting up is that everyone is so supportive and wants you to achieve your goal no matter how good you are at skateboarding. I found that getting into bowl skating almost takes you away from the pressure as I feel secluded and alone inside the bowl which then gave me more confidence to skate other parts of the skatepark.

[@komoonkh]

In Russia, anxiety has you. You guys ripped in that pool, loved the session!

[@usernamed4642]

This is a super dope video, thanks man

[@ihavebig6179]

I have always had crippling social anxiety and its all I can do sometimes to get out and skate. I go to the park early in the morning and almost always leave when anyone else shows up. Its a mental struggle all the time to just try and ignore other people. I know they dont care but it weighs on me a lot. I have the same thing with compliments as well. That rings so true! Thanks for this video!

[@rabbitterrain]

Everyday and every video I look forward to your sunrise, brothren

[@robertborden2666]

Zack, you ride better than anybody I have ever seen in person. I know that it’s the anxiety talking and not the skating.

[@Dadbot]

SIMPLE: if you’re anxious about who is at the skatepark. So are the other people there. Stop thinking you’re the only one there that’s nervous. That’s just egotistical thinking

[@MEMPHIS9ETHER]

Love going there

[@humanbeans7952]

Seeing you skate Venice after seeing so many other vids there really shows your skills! sick skating man! im 29 now and have struggled with SAD my whole life. Therapy has helped so much. Skating with music also helps me when theres alot of people in the park.

[@ZackDowdy]

Thanks for the kind words! Therapy rules so much.

[@RusselLarson]

Rad to see someone shooting on a hassleblad 500 as well. Gotta keep that film skate shooting alive

[@Ozimundis]

As someone who has been dealing with social anxitey for the last decade, I can massively relate to how you feel. Even before I developed anxiety, I still got the classic performance anxiety that comes with going to a busy or popular skatepark. But like you say, looking inward and trying to pin-point the root cause can be a helpful techneique to overcome it. For myself, It's my Dyspraxia, as while I am comfortable on a board and appear capable, my actual ability to do more than ride confidently, is far lower. (Dyspraxia affects hand-eye and full body coordination, plus other elements) Skating with friends is also a big help, as long as you can just have fun with them and not focus on others, it does wonders to off-set any anxieties!

[@petervanschaack8361]

I get it. I skateboard on rail trails where you run across the occasional long boarder. Fear the park if there are other people there. I'm not good at tricks just like to ride. Bit I did set a goal of learning to drop in on a ramp. Having surgery in a month so a have a little time. I enjoy your videos always inspiring.

[@bitumenboyy]

Even if i am absolutely annoyed by Skillshare-Ads, i am happy to see your video sponsered ;) Thanks for talking about social anxiety, i agree that its an important topic and somehow common in skateboarding. You always expose yourself and constantly fail in a public spaces, which makes you feel vulnerable if you are not able to cultivate a certain attitude. Starting to skate as a grown up person, its a real issue for me, but i know that also young people are scared of starting to skateboard or sticking to it because of anxiety. What a pity. I am happy to see this topic adressed by you and other skateboarding KZbinrs aswell, it certainly helps to have more people overcome their fears. Also, the community on youtube seems to be really supportive nowadays! Skateboarding certainly is some kind of therapy and has a lot of potential to grow mentally. Not just with social anxiety, you also have to overcome fears like getting hurt and you build confidence in your abilities. I guess this also a reason why skateboarding is so awesome, for me at least!

[@ZackDowdy]

Well said! The skate community on YT really does feel supportive!

[@richardbarclay9095]

Honest and awesome. A winning combination... great video :)

[@dominikhadlow6348]

the fact that all your videos connect with me on such an emotional level scares me at this point youre probably just looking at me outside of my window for relatable vids LOL big ups tho

[@OBnice777]

i relate that when i was a kid i skated no problem now im older its hard

[@thekinghasbeenslain]

very relatable thanks for this video

[@lauraroberts5547]

shredding that bowl. nice.

[@tim.jenkins75]

funny thing is... skatepark and skating is my safe place... i got serious ptsd and struggle real bad... skateparks... no problem :)

[@transferz]

I still freak out how people have such a positive attitude towards skaters. In the 90’s we were hardly watched

[@colinysselmuiden7489]

Great video I can really relate to all the anxiety of going to a busy skate park

[@Yomanchamcru]

I get far better at tuning out and going into my own little world with my skating as I get older. Just being in the space as long as it isn't super hectic. I always try to remember the Japanese concept of mushin or no mind. That said, I don't like feeling on display; there's a reason I lived in London for nine years and skated South Bank literally once. I think that goes double for somewhere like that where you've kind of got to be 'good'.

[@joeferruccio4018]

You killed the big boy bowl!!

[@johnchang7]

When I was younger, I sorta felt like I needed to “perform” at a certain level for whatever reason. I’m in my 40s now and I rarely feel like that anymore. I’m just stoked to be out skating. Who said it best I think it was Mark Gonzalez who’s the best skater? The one that’s having the most fun. I mean I really enjoy how sessions turn out. Sometimes all of a sudden there’s new peeps that show up and the heat gets turned up. I get motivated to skate harder, try other tricks and maybe that stokes someone else out. But I’ve got a smile ear to ear. That’s the only reason why I skate to have fun. Progression is cool and I need that but if I ain’t having fun what’s the point. Here’s my advice - turn the bullshit off and just skate like you wanna skate. Skate for yourself. Be respectful and thankful for what skating gives you and have fun cuz this won’t last forever.

[@Oldstylo71]

I tell myself that everyone better has been where I am and skateboard culture has a well known brother and sisterhood culture so that combined tells me that in other peoples heads they are just hoping I get better like them. Hope that helps also

[@Salba_sauce]

sick ripping !!

[@Old_man_Rob]

Nice Monty grind in the pool.. 🔥💯🤘

[@digital_nobody]

Im 31, havent skated in 15 yrs (just few times 6 yrs ago at night time when i assembled new board, but it welt weird skating alone, landed some flips but it wasnt joyful) Wanna get back to skateboarding since i work from home and have so much extra time. But i have some huge irrational fear of being judged. Or maybe im depressed and afraid to be that stress free kid i used to be. Maybe i will give it a try tomorrow, ride my board to get smokes. I have a newly big paved parking lot just downstairs from my house, big empty place, wanna enjoy skating as i used. Maybe if feel old. Idk..

[@encyclopediabrown1334]

Damn bro you and your boys shred

[@benjaminfowler4513]

I appreciate this. I have severe anxiety issues and a list of other shit and I'm trying to use picking up skating again to confront some of it and it's not going great yet lol but I figure once I start getting the endorphins from the physical exertion I should see some results.

[@OBnice777]

i have trouble even just skating in my parking lot havent been to skatepark yet

[@chyeaOGKush]

great video mon

[@HarperMarshallSkate]

I used to have really bad social anxiety. Since I cut out porn use (weirdly enough) it has gotten a lot better.

[@Sam72865]

I have a cruiser because i just want to skate to places and not break my bones and i have a huge amount of anxiety to just go outside and skate, because im not a little kid anymore and it feels weird to be a beginner. Honestly a pretty stupid fear

[@brycer2203]

Damn y’all were seriously ripping!

[@CarsonDalzell]

Love the videos! What camera do you use?

[@purplepig4747]

I really want to try but it's impossible for me to do anything while people are around me or watching me

[@RegularFootisChris]

I Deal with Social Anxiety Every Day!!

[@andrewcomments5812]

I like to think that if someone started laughing at skaters falling, someone else would be there to tell them to STFU.

[@olearris]

That skate location is annoying. So popular you cant skate it. To many people in the way and to many spectators looking for TonyHwak. I like an empty park and I mean empty. I mist be super anxious ...

[@handmadezebra7366]

was this vid made for me??

[@thorgoodlife1865]

Angry gutter punk homeless dudes caused me some anxiety at Venice Beach. The skate locals were super friendly.