A Lesson in Self-Care from a Pair of Keens

Faded colors and flattened soles were a cry for help I should’ve heeded sooner.

“Really? This?” is a series of short insights, rants, and obsessive thoughts that take up space in my brain until I spill them onto the page—mostly so I can get back to life (who am I kidding, I mean work).

Really? This?

I admit it. I am thrifty to a fault sometimes. I work hard to squeeze all that’s left in the toothpaste tube, try to extract every last ounce of moisturizer, and apparently, walk in shoes that should have been retired years ago.

My favorite Keen sandals (picture on the left) are four years old. I had to make myself buy a new pair, and as I clicked the purchase button, I was still thinking I had a few years left in them. But my rational brain knew better.

Today, when I received my new pair, I was astonished at the brightness of the colors. And then, when I put old and new side-by-side, it hit me that being thrifty is a good trait to have, but like many things, it can be used to my own detriment.

Feet, legs, hips, and back: I am so sorry for walking miles and miles in these shoes that obviously no longer have the support you need. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me.

I promise, from this point on, to use my tendency for thriftiness only for good, and not take it so far that it starts to resemble masochism.

Victoria