Shoe "Problem"

by Carla Morton

Hi,
My name is Carla
and I think I have a....
I think I have a... Um.. shoe "problem".

I don't think I'm a full blown "Shoe Addict" yet but I noticed some behavior the other day that made me realize I might have a problem.

I was walking by Heidi Says on Fillmore and I stopped dead in my tracks when I spotted a pair of tortoise patent leather studded and buckled Guiseppi Zanotti Shoes. Price $720. They were turning, on a carosel shoe display, taunting me as I walked by. My knees went weak.

" I WANT those" I thought to myself. What troubled me was that the feeling inside was impulsive. Not at all rational. It was pure want. It had nothing to do with "need". It was kind of like the feeling I get when I see Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall or Geoge Clooney in,,,, well, in anything.
No, not a feeling of wanting the shoes in a biblical sense. I might have a problem but I' m not Kinky.

It didn't use to be this way. Shoes were just Shoes. Things you put on your feet. Things that get scuffed. Things that most people don't look at
I think I made a turn for the worse when about 3 years ago I got the experience of "the good stuff". While in New York, and feeling really full of myself, I bought 3 pair of Italian heels. I went on a total bender. Two of the three pairs of shoes I don't even wear. But you know what? I don't care.
I find myself just getting satisfaction out of just looking at them... alone, in my closet. When no one else is around.

I'm out of control! What's happening to me??

So, luckily when I found myself in this state again the other day, I was able to talk myself out of it.
I knew I would regret it the next day
and the next month when my visa statement arrived.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change: I have a "shoe problem"
The courage to change the things I can: I can choose to not buy shoes I don't really need. I will not become an addict.
And the Wisdom to know the difference: Want, Need, Have to Have... (no, wait the difference isn't clear to me yet!)

Comments

[anne jude]

I think the defining moment is when you have to ask yourself if it truly is a problem. And, for all of us who have shelled out way too much money on frivilous, beautiful accessories, (shoes...bags...belts...we've all been there!) we've all had to stop and ask ourselves that very question!! Unfortunately, I don't exactly understand the difference (b/w want and need) yet, either!

[Carlina]

I have this problem with purses; I just put down $500 for a beautiful purple Bulga bag! I am definitely questioning if that was too much.

[Flynne]

My problem is more with clothes in general. I keep running out of hangers in my closet and having to drape clothes over my bedroom chair (pretty sad since I have a decent size walk in closet). One of these days I need to go through and clean it out!

[Brirock]

I have a belt problem, but that's a lot less expensive so I don't think it's much of a problem. Shoe problems can be lethal.