For me, it was back in 2015-16. I was beginning to get the same feeling I got in the car/tuner racing scene. I realized that most of the people there were only there out of ego, with the intention of one upping the next person. The love that had been sewn into me as a youngin around fashion, sneaks and ever cars/trucks, just wasn’t what I was experiencing anymore around me. It felt fraudulent and more so like just a bunch of copy cats. Nothing wrong at all with being inspired, then having your own twist on things. That wasn’t it, inspiration was more so experienced as hate, jealousy, drama and in no way genuinely happy for each other when we did cop a shoe, or upgrade a car part. It was toxic and energy draining, mostly stressful.
Now when I hit my tipping point, I had made the decision to sell my collection long before I had actually done it physically. I realized as some of you mentioned, I had shoes hidden away in bags, super clean and not enjoyed or worn, just sitting stacked up in boxes. When I finally initiated posting my shoes online for sale was when my first child was conceived. In that moment I knew right away, instead of having two wardrobes full of clothes and storage full of shoes, it was a no brainer to shift my focus onto something more that my own wants/needs. Honestly when I started posting my shoes I got this feeling of euphoria, I then became the collector who had shoes that people really wanted, and I could make others happy with how careful I was with my shoes. I was giving youngins crazy deals on shoes that I wished that sellers were willing to give me when I bought them. I quickly realized that this is how it should be. You pass on what you care about and love to others and support them in having the “thing” that they believe is the most important thing in the world, And I did. I remember giving college kids deals of a lifetime on grails. It wasn’t about the money, but more about passing in the true love and inspiration to someone else who could make new memories of sentimental value with those shoes.
Fast forward to today, right here right now. I just signed into this website for the first time in over 7 years, I couldn’t even remember the name of it lol. It came to mind all the good memories I had here with the “OG’s” helping me legit sneaks. The good memories I had when taking long drives and I would just look at the threads on here and get so much inspiration around fashion in general. Good times !
Now I own a business, have a family with three kids. I wear shoes that I like, and I never bother washing them like I used to religiously. I like when my shoes get dirty, because to me that means I wear them. In a world were some people don’t even have one or two pairs of shoes to put on. I have some of my older pairs which are not that sought after, but have an actual meaning to me personally. In closing, I am thankful to be where I’m at today, because although it may not be shoes that I obsess over or cars in a extreme way, I still use this same practice in my daily life. Ok with letting things go, helping others out and staying steady with loving myself, my integrity and who I am growing to be authentically.
Shoes, clothes, cars or whatever this world can make us think is so much more important than actually getting up and getting out into the world so you can be the best version of yourself everyday, this is a true gift. I have a lot of gratitude for what I have accomplished in my life and will accomplish moving forward.
Be willing to take risks, be uncomfortable, you have no idea what could happen if you honestly put the time and intentional work in.
Thank you shoes for teaching me such valuable lessons. Thanks to you all in this thread who read this long message lol.
Love y’all !