The important things in life are family, friends, getting good grades, being successful in sports, and being happy with who you are. Obviously shoes or any clothing item would not make that important list. Getting a pair of good shoes can help you in some of those life pursuits. Good shoes are not only a luxury, but they give confidence and happiness to aid in daily activities.

As a runner, I really rely on having a good pair of shoes. Using shoes that don’t fit right or don’t have proper support can lead to serious injuries. In fact, I have multiple friends who have gotten stress fractures from bad shoe choice. This is why I go to my favorite running store and pick out new running shoes every few months. I chose my shoes based on comfort rather than price or color. Saving a few dollars for poorly fitting shoes can cost way more in the long run. Since I change out my shoes, I always feel confident that I am being productive in training and not messing up my feet.

Good shoes can do more besides keep you safe. Good shoes can make you happy and fuel your workouts and brain power. When I put on good training shoes I feel powerful and ready to take on the run. When I put on good shoes for school I feel stylish and confident going into any test or class. I always say this line in practice: you look good, you feel good. This really helps me to get confidence to push harder. When I hear that line in my mind I tell myself I look good and then I get kind of a smirk and I agree with myself and that makes me feel good. A little extra happiness from feeling like you look good can take you a long way.

When it comes to race day for me, nothing helps me more than putting on my racing shoes. Unlike any of my other shoes, my racing flats hug my feet perfectly and they are so light I feel like I am not wearing shoes. I do not have to battle heavy shoes. I can focus on just pure speed when I run in my race shoes. Lacing up those shoes gives me huge excitement and when I first stand up in them I feel eager to race. My shoes give me the energy to do my best.

Shoes cannot give you any magic powers or make you something that you are not. However, if you look at your shoes with excitement and you let them make you happy, you can go really far. My running shoes are like my lucky charms and I would not have the same confidence without them. It is okay to love your shoes because they really do matter.