The Unimaginable Burden of Shoe Hoarding

Is it just me? Or is there a cultural shift?

I am one that you would consider a sneaker collector. In fact, I’ve been doing this since the early 2000’s. It was when I was earning my own money that I’ve realized that I deserve to heal my inner child. Whatever the fuck that means. Growing up, I wasn’t really one to afford a pair of Nikes, adidas or even Converse.

Money was hard growing up and I was lucky if I had a decent sneaker. I felt so envious of my classmates back in Grade School as they could afford all the numbered Jordans they wanted. I had to go for the cheap ones that nobody wanted, just because it was the practical thing to do. Then I really got deep into it. I got into Vans, DC Shoes and eventually landed in the territory of Dunks and Jordans, which was a slippery slope.

To say that I was buying beyond my means was an understatement. Fast forward to the present, post-hype period, I can safely say that I can like sneakers without actually buying all of them. There used to be a crazy time when sneakers were taking over my whole persona. I felt like a complete tool for buying too much and half the time, I would eventually sell them because it was based on impulse, at a loss. Also, I feel like sneakers have become less of a collectible and more of status symbols for people to show off. It wasn’t meant to be that way.

Thank God that people are starting to veer away from sneakers as it’s pretty corny to see everyone seeing it as a trend than a lifestyle. I’ve also learned to lay low from the Social Media aspect. I find satisfaction in keeping that side of me on the low, limiting my posts only to family and friends - even if only 5% of them can understand it. More on this soon.

All in all, I just feel like I’m on the verge of quitting this crazy hobby. I’ve met a lot of awesome people along the way, it even landed me a job for years and I will never forget that. But then, I’m moving on and no, nothing’s really changing. It’s all the influencers you like who say sneakers are dead. For me, it’s evolving and that’s a great thing.