As the year comes to a close, we all have many things to celebrate.

We celebrate the end of the semester, Christmas, Hanukkah, the new year and many more things. With these celebrations comes the expectation to dress up which may mean slipping on a pair of heels (as if it is that easy!) There’s the kitten heel, platform, and dreaded high heel.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of high heels. However, my feet do not. In high school I learned about the five stages of grief which is DABDA: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance. While laying in bed procrastinating from studying for finals, I realized that this principle applied to wearing heels. Below I have listed the five stages of wearing heels.

1. Denial

Your feet are spilling over the edge of the heels and you think that the shoe will magically form to your foot. You think this won’t be that bad.

2. Anger

Your feet have become red, sweaty, and blistered. You knew in the back of your head that this wasn’t a good idea and are frustrated with the fact that you put yourself through this pain once again.

3. Bargaining

This stage is brief. Usually, for me, it’s trying to get my mom or sister to switch shoes with me.

4. Depression

You’re in pain, literal pain. Your feet have now become bloody and you can’t walk without limping.

5. Acceptance

At this point you have given up on trying to persuade yourself that it’ll be ok. You can either take off your heels and walk around barefoot (gross), or limp around for the rest of the night. I usually choose to take off my shoes because I’ll look fabulous either way and so will you.

If you want to work in a new pair of heels, put on two pairs of socks then put on the shoe and use a blow dryer over your feet. This will help the shoe form to correct ‘mold’.

Good luck wearing those heels, ladies. If you fall short to DABDA, stay strong and either rock those heels anyway or walk around barefoot.