3 Reasons Why I Got A Skateboard For My 30th Birthday

You know that feeling you get when people ask you what you want for your birthday, and you actually have no idea? I didn’t have that this year.

See, over the last few years, as my love of minimalism has grown stronger and I’ve gotten more clarity on my values and what’s most important to me, I’ve become less and less concerned with physical stuff.

Those closest to me will know that my favorite gifts now are experiences, quality time, and healthy snacks (nut butter, anyone?).

Oh, and books!

(Side note: Here are some of the books I’m keen to get my hands on.)

But despite knowing all this, it can still be kinda awkward when people ask you what’s on your wishlist.

Not this year. 🙂

In my last post, I shared my 30 wishes for you on my 30th birthday. But I did, in fact, have a couple wishes of my own.

And when my family asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I knew my answer immediately:

“Books and a longboard.”

I got both. Haha!

So why was this year different? How did I know so clearly what I wanted, like a kid at Christmas, and why a longboard??

Believe it or not, there’s a method to this madness…

Why I got my first skateboard at 30 years old

1. New skills. One of the most beneficial things we can do for our brains is to keep learning new things. I’ve been wanting to learn a new skill for a while now and always thought it looked awesome when I saw guys and girls gliding effortlessly down the side of the road or along the beachfront. So why not?!
2. Fun! Another big reason is that I want to consciously find ways to inject more fun and playfulness into my life on a regular basis. This is a big focus of mine for the year, along with strengthening social relationships, and I thought this would be a great solution to both.
3. Discomfort. Finally, I’ve been feeling the call to get uncomfortable again and trying something as a complete beginner is one of the best ways to do so. Staying comfortable is a one-way ticket to stagnation (see what I did there?). And, knowing that the way we do anything is the way we everything, having the patience and persistence to be okay with being a total newbie will carry over into other areas of my life as well.

Not your typical reasons for getting a skateboard, I’m sure…

I realize that this was not the most minimalist thing I could ask for or receive, but remember…

Minimalism is not about having as few possessions as possible, but rather about filling your life only with those things that add value.

And for the reasons mentioned above, my board does.

I’m sure the weeks ahead hold many bumps, bruises, and scratches, but that’s what life’s about, right?

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some cruising to do. 🙂