Why I'm Ditching my Heels for Flats Wedges and Crocs.

A choice and a must, I'm embracing my new trend.

At 5 ft 7, do I need them?

I'm asking my gal pals and male friends too.

Heels had me hooked since a teen. It all started when my roaming eyes caught my aunt Viris getting dressed for a date night with her then-boyfriend.

"If the shoe ain't right, the outfit ain't either!" She exclaimed as she relentlessly tried on one pair after the other.

I watched enviously from the adjoining room my aunt posing in front of the golden framed full-length mirror on the door of her bedroom closet.

That night, the Nine West bronze Gladiator strappy number with tiny silver buckles affixed to her mid-calf was the knockout winner.

Aunt Viris' 5ft 3-inches petite frame instantly shot up 5 inches taller. Her shoe perfectly complemented her orange midi dress that hugged her cocoa cola bottle-like curvy figure. The pep in her step, the higher the heels, the bigger her confidence.

Aunt Virus was the fashionista in our family. (R.I.P. Aunt Virus)

Over the years, aunt Viris taught me numerous tricks about styles. Coordinating colors and textures and making the plainest little black dress stands out — the right scarf, handbag, or accessory usually does the trick. Yet, she stresses, without the heels, your outfit is a miss.

At 18, I couldn't wait to indulge in my dress-up experiments.

Heels are nothing more than a wrong fashion statement.

High heels aren't always comfortable; take it from me, who has worn them for much of my life. Yet, pride feels no pain when I decide I want to wear them anyway.

I now learn I was doing my feet unjustly to look stylish.

I was neglecting my health, living my aunt's words.

I seldomly wore flats.

It took a pandemic to give my feet a break from wearing heels. Then, being stuck at home with no need to wear them. Instead, my feet became relaxed, comfortably wearing flats.

My favorite 5-inch Coach strappy number won't ever grace my feet again.

I started digging a new trend; I even shopped for Crocs, sneakers, slippers, wedges, and flats.

My flame with heels got the better of me.

Only to lay my eyes recently on a pair of my once favorite black ankle straps. Overcome by temptation, I wore them out to dinner with my friend, whom I hadn't seen in a long time.

It was a big mistake.

Dressing up in heels felt strange after a long time of not wearing them. It's like learning to walk all over again.

Then came my moment of reckoning; I twisted my ankle, hurt my right foot, and walked barefoot.

Excruciating pain sent me to the doctor the next day. An M.R.I. later revealed a torn ligament complicated with plantar fasciitis.

I am taking my doctor's advice and doing all I can to ensure my foot gets well.

My podiatrist warned me about why I should stop wearing them.

“Heels affect your posture, Balance, Back, Hips, Knees, Ankles, Feet, and Toes — They place your foot in a plantar flexed downward position and increase the pressure on the forefoot. High heels force you to adjust the rest of your body to compensate for the shift in balance. As the lower body leans forward, Heels are merely fashion statements “— VeryWell Health.

Terrence Vanderheiden and Adam H. Kaplan, both D.P.M.s at Verywell Health, explain it perfectly: Why High Heeled Shoes Are So Bad for You — Verywell Health.

Reminiscing on my heels

Today I opened my closet and looked at my heels with fond memories.

I reminisce about wearing my pumps with ankle straps in blue, orange, and black.

My brown gladiator turned heads every time I wore them.

Will my outfits stand out without them?

I love the stylish look of my favorite 5-inch Coach strappy number. But it's time to trade them to better my feet and overall health.

Ladies, what footwear are you wearing these days?

And for all the men in our lives, what are your preferred choices of shoes to see your extraordinary women wearing?

I can't wait to read your comments.

Show some love to Art Bram. “I Have Two Voices in My Head, and I’m Coping With Life Better Than Ever” Art reminds us of the importance of our choices.

In his article “When the Game Changes, You Need to Change the Way You Play, Kyle Aldous reminds us to look through a different lens to see the possibilities ahead of us.