High Heels: A Break-Up Letter

A messy break-up.

Dear High Heels,

We tried to make it work. We tried to pretend that it was worth the pain, but I can’t lie to myself or you anymore.

I’d had my eye on you for years – I saw you doing your thing on the red carpet, in movies, on proper grown-ups. When we first met, I was young, and you were this glamorous, sexy, exciting glimpse into adulthood. Like red lipstick, cars with actual engines, or a glittery mortgage form.

I’m older and wiser, and now I see you for what you really are. You’re just a drunken dream: like donner kebabs, pissing on statues and swimming naked, you’re best left for alcohol-fuzzied moments. And that’s great. But it’s just not me.

Then there’s the way you slow me down. I’m going places, and you’re holding me back. I see the road spreading out before me. Sometimes there are cobbles, sometimes there is mud, sometimes there are floors that have been buffed to resemble an ice rink. I need to be able to take these on, to get through anything I meet, and I cannot do that with you. You don’t have the support I need. I have to get my feet back on the ground, to stand on my own without stumbling.

And you hurt me, too. I didn’t even realise in the moment, but every time we parted, I saw that you’d been trying to change the way I am. I thought it would just take time to get used to you, but I’ve realised now that we’re fundamentally different. Look, it’s not your fault. We had some good nights, a lot of fun. Perhaps I should have made more effort, given you more chances, but I’m pretty stubborn, and my feet just don’t bend that way.

The other thing is, I met someone else who gets me. Who I don’t have to change for. Who’ll work with what I want to do, whether I’m running around the city, just relaxing in the house, wearing a dress, shorts, anything. They’re called flats. Sure, they don't have that edgy vibe that you give so effortlessly, but we’re comfortable with each other in a way you and I never could be.

You’re not the bad guy in this; you have so many fantastic traits I’ll miss. You’re uplifting, you put a power in my step that I don’t get from anyone else - and you’re really good looking. Other people are spellbound by you. There are books, movies, exhibitions raving about your charms. I’ve seen you with other women and you look so much better. Now you can find someone who truly appreciates your best qualities.

We had a good run (well, hobble) but we both need to move on. I wish you nothing but the best. I’ll smile when I see you on the red carpet, on another woman’s feet, and remember the times you made me sparkle too. But I’ll be doing it in shoes that love me back.

All the best,

Tasha