I am a little heartbroken. I cannot wear heels anymore…

My right foot isn’t able to handle the angle and my weight and so I have to make the tough decision to not wear heels anymore. I wasn’t even wearing a high heel this weekend but it was high enough.

At 5’2″, I have found a fondness for shoes that elevate me a bit. Platforms were never my thing; I preferred a cute shoe with a heel. I’m not talking stilettos either; I wanted my shoes cute but comfy. And over the decades, I have been fortunate to find some that suited my style, my comfort requirements, and my budget. They made me feel powerful and feminine. Since moving to San Francisco, I didn’t wear them as much (heels and hills were not for me!) But I still taught in them. Then the pandemic came, and I barely wore shoes at all!

As a result, I developed plantar fasciitis. I began to shop for specific support, and gave up my cute shoes for practical ones. Because let’s face it, foot pain is AWFUL. I remember in my 20s getting advice from an older woman to take care of my feet. I was young and invincible so I continued to wear whatever I wanted. But oh how I wish I had truly heard her words that day. I understand it now…I live with the pain.

Slowly getting back into exercising, and strength training specifically, I found the pain diminishing. Focusing on PF exercises and stretches alone didn’t help it go away; building strength in my leg muscles did. So this past weekend, I decided to break out the comfy chunky heel I still had in my closet for our trip to see Les Miz. We planned to take an Uber so there would be minimal walking. I tried on the shoe in our closet and they were as comfy as I remembered them being. These were from BetaBrand, and the shoe has a bit of stretch along with a sneaker-like insole. Amazingly, there was no pain when I put them on or wore them. I felt like a bit of myself again! Then I woke up the next morning…

When I woke up, I felt fine in the bed. I did my morning stretches that I always do before putting bodyweight onto my feet. As I stood up, I was still fine. But my first steps told me otherwise. My right big toe wouldn’t move. It felt paralyzed. Fortunately it was my exercise rest day so I wasn’t going to exacerbate things…but the reality was there. I couldn’t wear heels anymore. If a comfy shoe that had me barely on my feet (house to Uber, Uber into theater and up to seat, standing through intermission and then the reverse trip back home) could cause such a painful reaction, I wouldn’t put myself through that again. I am not one to suffer for vanity; I like being comfortable too much.

Fortunately, a bit more stretching throughout a restful day fixed the issue. My toe moves now, even if there is a slight twinge on occasion. The heels that I still have in my closet will be making their way into a donation bag. And the quest for the most supportive cute flat is underway.