I love shoes. Adore them really. In my book there has never been such thing as too many shoes. At one point I think I may have had more than 30 pair. (Not including another 10-12 pair of flip flops.) Because I love shoes so very much, I have always gone for quantity over quality because lets face it, Manolo's are hot but so NOT in my budget! Payless Shoe Source and Target were two of my favorite destinations for cheap yet chic shoes and I had many of them. Comfort was never my concern, as long as I didn’t have blisters after the third or fourth wearing.
Arch support-who needs it?
Quality construction-does it really matter?
Super high heels-why not?
Cramped toe box-if it’s cute, who cares?
And of course, my favorite shoe was the flip flop. *sigh*
The flip flop. No socks required. Toes sporting fresh pedicures. Sparkly straps and bamboo soles. HEAVEN!
And then my neurologist took a look at my perfectly pedicured feet, shod in the flip flop sandal de jour and said, “Those shoes are not going to work.”
*blink, blink, blink*
“Why?” I asked in a bit of terror and indignation.
She went on to explain that because of my current balance issues it was not only a safety concern to be walking around in “unstable” shoes; it was doing me no favors in the long run. I was an accident looking for a place to happen. Additionally, because my gait was already compromised, wearing flip flops, unstable heels and shoes without support were a danger to my continued health and well being. Finally, wearing sandals and other shoes that did not provide coverage over the top and sides of the foot, promoted my toes and arches working really hard to keep the shoe on; therefore compromising my gait further.
She then suggested that I start wearing “sensible shoes”
*cue the crickets*
My grandmother wears “sensible shoes”. Really old ladies wear “sensible shoes”. People in nursing homes wear "sensible shoes".
This is my idea of a “sensible shoe”.
Arch support-who needs it?
Quality construction-does it really matter?
Super high heels-why not?
Cramped toe box-if it’s cute, who cares?
And of course, my favorite shoe was the flip flop. *sigh*
The flip flop. No socks required. Toes sporting fresh pedicures. Sparkly straps and bamboo soles. HEAVEN!
And then my neurologist took a look at my perfectly pedicured feet, shod in the flip flop sandal de jour and said, “Those shoes are not going to work.”
*blink, blink, blink*
“Why?” I asked in a bit of terror and indignation.
She went on to explain that because of my current balance issues it was not only a safety concern to be walking around in “unstable” shoes; it was doing me no favors in the long run. I was an accident looking for a place to happen. Additionally, because my gait was already compromised, wearing flip flops, unstable heels and shoes without support were a danger to my continued health and well being. Finally, wearing sandals and other shoes that did not provide coverage over the top and sides of the foot, promoted my toes and arches working really hard to keep the shoe on; therefore compromising my gait further.
She then suggested that I start wearing “sensible shoes”
*cue the crickets*
My grandmother wears “sensible shoes”. Really old ladies wear “sensible shoes”. People in nursing homes wear "sensible shoes".
This is my idea of a “sensible shoe”.
See. Not cute.
I spent a few weeks resisting. I would just prove her wrong. I could still wear cute shoes. And flip flops. I was NOT giving up the flip flops!
And then I twisted my ankles. Both of them. In the same week. Not bad enough to sprain them. Just make them sore. Then I tripped a few times. I almost fell a few times. I noticed that I was working really hard to keep those darn flip flops on my feet.
So on the VERY off chance that the neurologist might be on to something, I wore tennis shoes for a week.
My balance improved. Significantly. I didn’t have to concentrate so hard on walking from point A to point B. I stopped rolling my ankles. I didn’t trip as much.
*sigh*
I hated to admit it, but she was right. The cheap shoes were causing me grief.
So with much reluctance and bemoaning, I cleaned out the closet. All the cheap yet chic shoes came out. Anything with a stiletto heel? Gone. No arch support? Out. Cramped toe box? See ya.
And the flip flops? Okay, so I haven’t removed them from my closet yet. I love them! But I did stop wearing them. By next spring, I will pitch the worn out ones and give the rest to one of my girlfriends that has feet my size. I already sent the rest of the cuties home with her. (Kelly, I knew if anyone would give them a good home, it would be you!)
So here I am walking around in “sensible shoes”. No, I do not find most of them as cute as some of the unsensible shoes that I wish I could wear still. But, there are some REALLY cute “sensible shoes” out there that even I would be caught wearing. And the added bonus? I don’t have to work as hard to keep from tripping over my own two feet. That is far cuter than falling flat on my face!
I spent a few weeks resisting. I would just prove her wrong. I could still wear cute shoes. And flip flops. I was NOT giving up the flip flops!
And then I twisted my ankles. Both of them. In the same week. Not bad enough to sprain them. Just make them sore. Then I tripped a few times. I almost fell a few times. I noticed that I was working really hard to keep those darn flip flops on my feet.
So on the VERY off chance that the neurologist might be on to something, I wore tennis shoes for a week.
My balance improved. Significantly. I didn’t have to concentrate so hard on walking from point A to point B. I stopped rolling my ankles. I didn’t trip as much.
*sigh*
I hated to admit it, but she was right. The cheap shoes were causing me grief.
So with much reluctance and bemoaning, I cleaned out the closet. All the cheap yet chic shoes came out. Anything with a stiletto heel? Gone. No arch support? Out. Cramped toe box? See ya.
And the flip flops? Okay, so I haven’t removed them from my closet yet. I love them! But I did stop wearing them. By next spring, I will pitch the worn out ones and give the rest to one of my girlfriends that has feet my size. I already sent the rest of the cuties home with her. (Kelly, I knew if anyone would give them a good home, it would be you!)
So here I am walking around in “sensible shoes”. No, I do not find most of them as cute as some of the unsensible shoes that I wish I could wear still. But, there are some REALLY cute “sensible shoes” out there that even I would be caught wearing. And the added bonus? I don’t have to work as hard to keep from tripping over my own two feet. That is far cuter than falling flat on my face!
*And for those of you who know of my shoe love, no; I did not have to give up ALL of my cuties. I still have my black boots (Aerosole, quality construction, chunky heel, not too high, room in the toe box) and my Pink Pointy Toe Princess Shoes (NYLA, 1/4 " heel, room in the toe box, VERY broken in. Also, you would have to pry them out of my cold dead fingers! I have an unhealthy attachment to that particular pair of shoes!)*
