How are your feet doing?

Did you know pedicures, foot cleanliness and care, and the use of colour on toes have been around since around 3000 BCE?

The Chinese royalty from the Zhou Dynasty used either red or black to signify their social rank while the Egyptians (2400 BCE) preferred gold or red to convey status and power.

The Romans were more focused on cleanliness. Foot care was an essential part of their grooming and routine at the baths. Even Roman soldiers received regular foot care so they were ready for battle.

Throughout the ages, when foot care was a priority, the overall health of the population was better. If cleanliness was not a priority, or if society altered the foot’s shape, or if shoes were all about beauty (ignoring function and comfort), the repercussions were quite significant.

Let’s not even speak of the practice of foot binding.

I learned to walk when I was eleven months old, and since then, I have counted on my feet to take me through all of life’s experiences.

Truth be told though, I haven’t always cared for them well and I've taken them for granted. Mostly, I shoved those beauties into shoes which were too small or rubbed in all the wrong spots. As a result, at 18, I had bone spurs beginning to develop on my heels. Why was I forcing myself to wear shoes that had fashion value, but were creating health and comfort issues?

It didn’t make sense what I expected my feet to do when I wasn’t investing in them.

How I have felt about my feet? Always larger than everyone else’s feet, finding shoes that did fit was almost impossible sometimes. It was embarrassing and frustrating. When I was about nine, I had a friend’s dad say, ‘Glenda, you could walk on the water in the Cow Bay floods with those big feet’. At that moment, I wished my feet would curl up like the Wicked Witch of the East’s under Dorothy’s house. I was so humiliated. All I wanted was normal-sized feet...was that too much to expect?

Now in my fifties, my feet are still getting longer! I almost can't believe it! Nobody told me they would continue to ‘spread’ out and that I could look forward to buying larger and larger shoes. Do you know how difficult it is to find a woman's size 12? Or a pair of shoes that look good, feel great, and work like a charm? It’s frustrating. Let’s just say it took me three years of diligent searching to find boots. I was so happy when I found them that I bought two pairs of the same boots! Now, sadly, I have outgrown them too, so I’ll be on a mission next year to find new ones.

After the bone spurs situation, I promised myself that I would not buy or wear shoes that hurt my feet or that I needed to ‘break in’. They have to fit and feel good on the first try or it’s a firm NO. Even if they are beautiful. Even if I have to go up a size and admit to my large lovelies! Why?

It’s an investment in my life, to spend money on shoes that are comfortable, beautiful, and appropriate for my life and activities. I want my feet to continue to serve me and be enthusiastic about taking me to the next experience in life.

Here are a few questions for you to take a foot care inventory:

• What do you most appreciate about your feet? How have they made your life better?

• What specific activities do you want to continue being able to do, and that require your feet to be in great shape?

• When was the last time you took a load off your feet, thanked them, and groomed them well?

• Do your shoes fit well and help you do what you love most, or does your footwear need an overhaul?

  
  

If it's time to care for your feet, book in for a delicious pedicure experience HERE