Day 21 of 365 - Happy Feet
This morning I had the opportunity to go to the Columbia outlet store with a friend. I had been looking forward to getting a new pair of waterproof hiking shoes. There were several styles to choose from and I found a pair that fit well. The most recent pair I had lasted me a few years, so they were well worth the price. A few winters ago we had barely any snow and I wore them most of the winter instead of boots. But, they are ideal for cold, wet days here in spring and fall too.
Since I have not worked much in several years, my main need for foot wear is more athletic ones, to pair with my fitness clothes when I am going to and coming from class. Though I don't need them for any of my classes, they are definitely what I wear for most walking or any hiking, especially on uneven terrain. My feet feel well supported in them and I feel safe from slipping or tripping.
I still have several other pairs of shoes and boots for different occasions but, a lot of them are seldom worn. And, shoes with heels are pretty much a thing of the past, except for one pair of dressy pumps which have a low block heel.
Shoes are something I have always enjoyed looking at and shopping for but, in the last several years I need to be much more mindful of the fit over the appearance. Painful feet give a very good reminder of this!
In my closet I have a few pairs of custom orthotics which were a strategy for dealing discomfort for awhile. The downside of those is finding shoes they will fit in. I do own one rather expensive pair of leather oxford style shoes purchased for that purpose but they are limited to certain wardrobe choices. I'll probably have them for the rest of my life because I won't wear them out!
My practice of NIA, which is done barefoot, has helped my feet a lot. When you are moving barefoot, you become much more aware of all the nuances of your feet. As part of the practice, we learn about the different ways we bear weight on our feet in various steps and stances. We learn how to do that safely and get immediate feedback through our feet. The techniques I have learned and the practice at NIA has actually changed the shape of my feet.
Years ago, my toes tended to be all scrunched close together, the way they would be in a shoe with a pointed toe. I didn't even realize that they should be spread out and have little spaces between them. Once I learned about and developed that ability I was more interested in finding shoe styles to accommodate a more natural footprint.
There are two other self-care practices I use, each of which has different types of balls. There are exercises specifically for the feet. In both cases, the foot work is just one small component of the body work. One method is called Yoga Tune Up. The other is called MELT. The purpose of the techniques is to release tight fascia or connective tissue which might be causing pain or limitations in flexibility and movement. I will likely get into more detail about those practices in other posts.
Though I still own some stylish shoes for occasions when I want to look more dressed up, I will no longer wear a shoe that is uncomfortable. It's just not worth it to me. I'd rather have happy feet than the latest fashion in footwear. And that, to me, is something good for my health and vitality.
Since I have not worked much in several years, my main need for foot wear is more athletic ones, to pair with my fitness clothes when I am going to and coming from class. Though I don't need them for any of my classes, they are definitely what I wear for most walking or any hiking, especially on uneven terrain. My feet feel well supported in them and I feel safe from slipping or tripping.
I still have several other pairs of shoes and boots for different occasions but, a lot of them are seldom worn. And, shoes with heels are pretty much a thing of the past, except for one pair of dressy pumps which have a low block heel.
Shoes are something I have always enjoyed looking at and shopping for but, in the last several years I need to be much more mindful of the fit over the appearance. Painful feet give a very good reminder of this!
In my closet I have a few pairs of custom orthotics which were a strategy for dealing discomfort for awhile. The downside of those is finding shoes they will fit in. I do own one rather expensive pair of leather oxford style shoes purchased for that purpose but they are limited to certain wardrobe choices. I'll probably have them for the rest of my life because I won't wear them out!
My practice of NIA, which is done barefoot, has helped my feet a lot. When you are moving barefoot, you become much more aware of all the nuances of your feet. As part of the practice, we learn about the different ways we bear weight on our feet in various steps and stances. We learn how to do that safely and get immediate feedback through our feet. The techniques I have learned and the practice at NIA has actually changed the shape of my feet.
Years ago, my toes tended to be all scrunched close together, the way they would be in a shoe with a pointed toe. I didn't even realize that they should be spread out and have little spaces between them. Once I learned about and developed that ability I was more interested in finding shoe styles to accommodate a more natural footprint.
There are two other self-care practices I use, each of which has different types of balls. There are exercises specifically for the feet. In both cases, the foot work is just one small component of the body work. One method is called Yoga Tune Up. The other is called MELT. The purpose of the techniques is to release tight fascia or connective tissue which might be causing pain or limitations in flexibility and movement. I will likely get into more detail about those practices in other posts.
Though I still own some stylish shoes for occasions when I want to look more dressed up, I will no longer wear a shoe that is uncomfortable. It's just not worth it to me. I'd rather have happy feet than the latest fashion in footwear. And that, to me, is something good for my health and vitality.
This made me laugh: "...I do own one rather expensive pair of leather oxford style shoes purchased for that purpose but they are limited to certain wardrobe choices. I'll probably have them for the rest of my life because I won't wear them out!..."
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