What does it say about me that my most memorable shoes are the ones that have been the most painful: the hiking boots that left me with such bad blisters when I hiked solo for four days around Mt. Hood, the second-hand pair of Merrill walking shoes that I bought in Bolivia that caused plantar fascitis, the cute red and white polka dotted Mary Jane tennis shoes "I had to have" when I was five even though I knew when I tried them on that they were too small. Again, blisters. But also some wonderful adventures.
Thank you for sharing your shoe stories Kaarin, your cute Mary Jane tennis shoes sound delightful! I had a hot pink pair once which I loved! But yes certainly our shoes lead us into great adventures 😊
I loved this because, well, I have a thing for shoes too. Not collecting them, but investing time and energy in them. I wear my walking shoes every day. I finally found a brand that supports my feet and posture while walking. My hiking boots are sturdy, so they feel heavy by the end of a day hike. My new favorite for exercise and errands is my barefoot shoes, which help my feet to use more muscles. A few years back, in my early 60s, I had my feet measured for a new pair of walking shoes and discovered they had stretched enough to change my shoe size. I have a few pairs of expensive dressy-type shoes that I have kept despite being the old size. The rule for wearing them is that I can only be sitting!
Thank you Sue for sharing your love of shoes, they clearly bring you lots of joy. I have a pair of Vibram fivefingers and they are also big favourites of mine 😊
Thank you Melissa, for your kind wishes. I am happy to read this reflection resonated with you. May 2026 also brings you ease, as Ram Dass so beautifully said "We're all just walking each other home"
What does it say about me that my most memorable shoes are the ones that have been the most painful: the hiking boots that left me with such bad blisters when I hiked solo for four days around Mt. Hood, the second-hand pair of Merrill walking shoes that I bought in Bolivia that caused plantar fascitis, the cute red and white polka dotted Mary Jane tennis shoes "I had to have" when I was five even though I knew when I tried them on that they were too small. Again, blisters. But also some wonderful adventures.
Thank you for sharing your shoe stories Kaarin, your cute Mary Jane tennis shoes sound delightful! I had a hot pink pair once which I loved! But yes certainly our shoes lead us into great adventures 😊
I loved this because, well, I have a thing for shoes too. Not collecting them, but investing time and energy in them. I wear my walking shoes every day. I finally found a brand that supports my feet and posture while walking. My hiking boots are sturdy, so they feel heavy by the end of a day hike. My new favorite for exercise and errands is my barefoot shoes, which help my feet to use more muscles. A few years back, in my early 60s, I had my feet measured for a new pair of walking shoes and discovered they had stretched enough to change my shoe size. I have a few pairs of expensive dressy-type shoes that I have kept despite being the old size. The rule for wearing them is that I can only be sitting!
Thank you Sue for sharing your love of shoes, they clearly bring you lots of joy. I have a pair of Vibram fivefingers and they are also big favourites of mine 😊
This reflection really resonated. Thanks Tracey. Wishing you a smooth, freeing walk through 2026 and 55! x
Thank you Melissa, for your kind wishes. I am happy to read this reflection resonated with you. May 2026 also brings you ease, as Ram Dass so beautifully said "We're all just walking each other home"