Orange Asics & Bad Math

For reasons that at first appeared completely valid, but turned out to be non-existent, I spent a great deal of time being extremely frugal.  Excessively so.  So dang careful about my finances that I refused to buy new running shoes, even when it was beyond time to replace them.  

Back in the day, I had two or three in-good-condition pairs that I rotated.  (Like you are supposed to do.) But, times change and financial statuses change.  I was on a budget.  I had a savings.  I had goals and plans.  No room for frivolous expenses.  I was going to buckle down, suck it up, make it happen.

“I don’t really run that much.”  “I don’t work out that hard.”  “They’ve still got some wear left in them.”  I told myself anything to rationalize my buying choice-- or lack thereof.

Then it happened- the smack-back; the consequences of failing to do what was right.  Pain of all sorts: foot, ankle, knee, back… and shin splints to boot.  I mean hard-to-walk pain.  Pushing the workout shoes a bit further became no workout at all.  Talk about a backfire.

While I was resting my aching body, I found a great deal online (thanks REI).  Aren’t they beautiful?! And, I resolved to never be so stupid (or overly frugal) again. I mean, I preach about self-care allllll the time.  And there I was: guilty of the opposite-  even though I told myself I was simply being financially disciplined. (Can you say 'rationalization' ?)

So now, let these beautiful orange and pink shoes (and my unnecessary pain) be a symbol of balance, moderation and overall common sense. What self-care item have you been putting off? 

---