Dear World
This ‘blog’ was written 10 years ago and is part of the Simple Living Global ‘Back to Basics’ program.
Time to publish as it seems most of us are not paying much attention when it comes to our Feet and Footwear.
Firstly – a wise move would be to click the link and read our extensive article on Feet and Footwear.
https://simplelivingglobal.com/feet-and-footwear/
The first opening sentences …
Only a small percentage of the population are born with foot problems.
Neglect, lack of awareness or proper care and ill-fitting shoes that bring on the problems. (1)
The article has a whole list of sensible Questions we ought to be asking when it comes to our Feet and our Footwear.
Our Footwear Market is a MULTI-BILLION dollar industry.
It is comprised of shoes, sneakers, luxury footwear, athletic footwear and sporting shoes.
Footwear is commonly made of leather, textile or other synthetic materials. (2)
GLOBAL FOOTWEAR MARKET
$489,140,000,000 (3)
$489 BILLION revenue each year and we all know that it is RISING.
We have made it the New Normal to live as a ‘throwaway society’.
It seems like if our footwear is not what we want, unclean or requires some work then out it goes and in comes the new.
Most of us do not bother to even consider the consequences of throwing out shoes Because We Can simply replace them.
We buy for a special occasion and then what?
Do we clean it and put it away or not our job?
What if this is not about who can spend and has the money to spend, but more about a Self-Care approach to all things in life?
Having the space to carry out a very Practical and Simple task could support us more than we realise.
What if we started to take great care of our footwear by cleaning it and not discarding it and replacing it with new footwear?
What if by doing the regular cleaning of our shoes and all other footwear, we ensure that less will end up in Waste or landfill?
What if applying this Simple guide to all our shoes and footwear means there will be less need for mass produced shoes?
What if we don’t need to Change the world but start with taking Action – consistently for ourselves and observe what could happen?
When we apply something in our life and remain Consistent without the need to tell others what to do, things Change.
Those around us may just start to take care of their shoes.
Cleaning our Shoes applies to ALL footwear and not just shoes.
Our shoes and ALL our footwear – ARE IMPORTANT.
How we walk and how we present ourselves and what we wear are ALL IMPORTANT.
Example –
We have ‘work sensible shoes’
That means they support us all day
They do not need to make a fashion statement
They work for the job
They are super comfortable
They feel light when walking
They allow for travel to and from work
Now to the Cleaning Shoes business…
Dedicate a space where you can do this Self-Care job.
Approach the job like it is important
Apply yourself fully – no Distractions
Switch off the noise – TV, phones etc.,
Pay attention to the detail
Place the shoes and other footwear on some paper or use a plastic sheet if you are doing this on the carpet.
Use wipes or a damp throwaway cloth
Start with wiping the sides of the sole
Then wipe the actual soles of the shoes
Get into the grooves – this is the detail
Use clean wipes if the shoes are dirty
Invest in some decent leather spray
Use a dry cloth to polish of the shoes
Old cut up t-shirt works and reuse it
Suede Footwear
Suede brush for suede or nubuck works
Spray suede renovator to keep rain marks off
Sports Trainers
Use wipes for the upper part and Gently clean
Place the laces inside the shoes after wearing
Get into the habit – check the soles of the shoe
Put them to one side to clean and not Ignore
Fancy Footwear
Use a dry cloth only and wipe the upper part
Use a wet wipe with water only if textile is ok
Apply the same as above for cleaning the soles
Place the shoes back on the shoe rack or designated place
Use shoe boxes for proper storage to take care of them
Caring and respecting our shoes by cleaning them, regardless of how many we own – IS IMPORTANT.
Whether we have a few or plenty – treat them as if they are the only precious pair of shoes we have and keep them clean!
Having less shoes because they feel new every time they are worn is the way to go… LESS is MORE.
BE Consistent with this ritual and that means stick to it.
This builds this task into your Foundation and locks it in.
Repeat, repeat and stay Consistent in this very practical job.
This guide is not a one-time application.
Make it part of the daily living Practical tasks like all others in our Back to Basics 101 that have been presented on this website.
Note
The shoe cleaning police are not going to show up at our home but there is no point pretending we are doing the job when we are not.
Others feel it when we do something Consistently as it gives us the authority to speak about it and they sense that.
AND others feel it when we are Lying saying we do it when we don’t.
This publication is ©Copyright and the Moral Rights of the Author, Bina Pattel and Simple Living Global are asserted. Other than for the purposes of and subject to the conditions prescribed under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 as amended, no part of this work may in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, microcopying, photocopying, recording or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to Simple Living Global – info@simplelivingglobal.com
References
(1) (n.d). APMA Foot Facts. Tallahassee Podiatry Associates. Retrieved October 30, 2024 from
https://tlhpodiatry.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/apmafacts-2021.pdf
(2) (2024, October 1). Global Footwear Market – Statistics & Facts. Statista. Retrieved October 29, 2024 from
https://www.statista.com/topics/4571/global-footwear-market/#topicOverview
(3) (2024, September 26). Footwear Market Revenue Worldwide from 2019 to 2029. Statista. Retrieved October 29, 2024 from
https://www.statista.com/forecasts/976367/footwear-market-size-worldwide