Do you have a pair of cozy slippers?
Slippers you are really fond of?
Those cushy ones, or maybe tattered ones you just can’t let go of, because they feel like home when you slip your feet into them?
I have those. My home slippers are mismatched. One black one red. I used to like both pairs, the black and the red. Then the strap of one left flipflop broke. So I started wearing the other pair. In a little while, strap of the right flipflop broke. Now I had a left and a right, even though they were different colors, they were perfect. Of course my husband quickly bought me another pair, which is safe inside the shoe shelf. Because the mismatched pair is so cozy. The left slipper is one size smaller than the right, but still the right size for me.
You know, it is believed that shoes show our style. Shoes also take us places. I mean, who steps out barefoot on a rough road, eh?
There are countless styles and types of shoes and for those of us with a shoe fetish, we like to have different shoes for specific occasions.
Shoes are rather like the people in our lives, in some sense.
Like shoes, our relationships take us places and each one plays a role in our lives.
So I ask you, who is that person in your life whom you see as your cozy slipper?
Comfortable, safe?
That person you can rely on, no matter what?
Who is your stylish high heel shoe, who is fun yet not much support during tough times?
Who is your gym shoe, that person you can grab and go with, regardless of the terrain you have to cover?
Or do you have that one trusty pair of shoes that plays different roles at different times?
It is nice to take stock of the different types of relationships we have and how they benefit us in various ways, every once in a while.
Relationships that fit well, just like shoes, make us feel safe and balanced.
When we have a favorite pair of shoes, we take extra-special care to make them last for as long as we can.
Are we doing the same for our special relationships?
When a special pair of shoes becomes damaged, we desperately try and find a similar pair.
Is there someone who cares for us, for whom we care, that we’re overlooking?
Life in isolation is like being barefoot.
Barefoot is not a bad thing, in fact it feels liberating to feel earth under our feet. But if the path is uneven, it hurts, it bruises.
Good shoes, like good relationships, cushion us with care. We feel better equipped to face the challenges life throws our way, especially if the ground is uncertain.
So, who is your cozy slipper?
Who is your let’s-go-anywhere shoe?
How well do you understand the power and functionality of your connections in life?
Something to reflect on:
When was the last time you took stock of your relationships?
Take the time to do it.
Open your shoe closet.
Think of each pair as a relationship.
Too few shoes? Add imaginary pairs.
Are some of your relationships collecting dust?
Which ones are missing from your closet?
Are you celebrating these relationships for the joy they represent in your life?
Now may be a good time to clean out your shoe closet and get rid of the pairs that hurt or don’t fit.
Say good bye to toxic relationships.
And while you are taking stock and cleaning up, think: what kind of shoe are you for others?
♥
44 comments
What thoughtful words Vidya ? Would have never been able to think of these in relationships.
Hugs Uma!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Cozy Slippers #AtoZChallenge
Wonderful post and analogy 🙂 Made me reflect on relationships!
Love the analogy of shoes and relationships. My sister has to be my cozy slipper. Have to think of the others now. 🙂
Sanch @ Sanch Writes recently posted…#Cascade: Woman of the modern world #atozchallenge
Ah! There was such a person, not anymore and I haven’t found another one yet or may be don’t want to yet.
It’s quite interesting how you have related relationship with slippers. I wouldn’t have thought of it 😀 Fun post!
Anmol Rawat recently posted…Circle of Life
Never thought of shoes this way . Shoes and relationships, I am in awe. I have many shoes which I don’t use/bother to use/hurt but have not been able to clean my closet
I loved your analogy of shoes and relationships. Although I can differentiate the shoe types easily, it’s difficult with people, mostly because unlike shoes, people are so unpredictable. I should check my cupboard again.
Slippers and Relationships. What a beautiful analogy!
This post has got me thinking and I am definitely going to reflect on the various relationships in my life. Thank you, Vidya. Hugs ♥
I have a trusty pair which I know will be with me no matter what the situation is 🙂
Had never thought of relating these to relationships. Love this post 🙂
Swathi Shenoy recently posted…Crushes
My cozy slippers are my mom and my daughter. They dote on me as I them. I can completely let my hair down and be me and both of them wouldn’t think I am crazy or emotional or foolish. Actually, I’d have to include my sister and one very very close friend too in this list. Gosh, I have more cozy slippers than I realise! But more in this case is always a blessing. Eternally amazed when I think of the blessings in my life. So much to be grateful for. This was a cute yet thought-provoking post, Vidya 🙂
Wow that took a totally different direction. When I started reading, amused about the mismatched comfortable shoes, I was thinking, “Oh right, I have to buy a pair of flipflops.” Then it went to relationships, and I don’t think there could be a more perfect analogy!
I was putting checks against the types of relationships you’ve listed. You know what I’m missing? A gym pair.
(BTW, this month, I’m literally and figuratively cleaning out the shoe closet 🙂 )
Sreesha recently posted…Call Me When You’re Sober | #AtoZChallenge
Me too! I found myself hanging on to a couple of pairs and thought, shoes are so much like people. Of course my husband laughed. And said, some people use their shoes to walk all over people. Hugs. I know you will find your gym pair soon, in exactly the color you like!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Cozy Slippers #AtoZChallenge
🙂
Sreesha recently posted…Call Me When You’re Sober | #AtoZChallenge
You have such a unique perspective on life and relationships, I am going through a personal traumatic time right now so I think just about time to look for those cozy slippers.
Hugs Pooja! Often, taking stock from a distance helps. My Mom always advised writing about how I felt without filter, then looking at it. She guaranteed we’d always get better perspective. It works. Use profanity if it helps. But get it out on paper/screen. 🙂 Writing exorcises a lot of heavy thinking.
I hope things get better for you very soon!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Cozy Slippers #AtoZChallenge
My cozy slippers are my home slippers, soft yet dependable . And when it comes to relationships, may sound cliched but it surely my husband. A soft person and calm person, but a strong indivisual within and someone I could depend on always. I can be myself-sans any pretence.
My home slippers and my husband provide the perfect comfort zone for me,
What an amazing concept to connect shoes and relationships. I love shoes…. now I will have to work out who is my favourite sandal, my favourite flip flop, my favourite stiletto …..and what about all those shoes I just pitched out? I wonder which relationships they represented.
Thank you Sunita! A shoe-love will truly relate! I’m interested to know about the shoes you chucked out!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Buddha’s Diet #AtoZChallenge #BookReview
Food for thought, Vidya! Off I go to make my list! And as always I leave your blog with a smile on my face:)
Superb comparison between shoes and relationships!! I liked the part where every kind of shoe is compared to different relationships. Very well written.
Ah, this seems such an easy way to sort through our relationships! Loved the analogy of shoes with relationships. I think my cosiest shoe is my mum. I need to the figure out the rest. By the way, the thought of you wearing two mismatched slippers made me smile. You’re adorably eccentric! 🙂
But they’re so cozy! They are both from different pairs 😀 Hugs! Moms are the best!
Vidya Sury recently posted…My wake up call #GratitudeCircle
I loved this one. Beautiful analogy. I think I have every pair of shoes in my life. thou some are dusted and been ignored for sometime now ( I am the sole reason). Think it’s high time, I took each one off the rack and polish them and give them a new shine.
Did you just compare slippers to relationships? Only you could have done it and so beautifully at that!
I used to have a cozy pair of home slippers. I had it from 2011 and it just broke two days back. It was about time but it did hurt. I haven’t replaced it yet. I doubt if I will get that comfort anywhere else.
Now that I think of it, relationships are like slippers. Some make you feel comfortable and beautiful. Some just squeeze the life out of you and smother you. It is our decision to keep one and discard the other.
Beautiful thought! Love you for this. Muah!
I love this analogy Vidya. And even literally i have a great relationship with my shoes!
Tina Basu recently posted…Chocolate Tart with Strawberry – No-Bake Easy Tart Recipe
Loved your idea of comparing shoes and relationship
Launching SIM Organics
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*SimpleIndianMom*
cozy sleepers and relationships… amazing analogy…. 🙂 <3
Wow! What amazing thoughts! Who could have thought of such analogies but you! Yea, the cozy slipper, the high heeled stylish yet uncomfortable ones, every other kind….We all have these kinds in our lives! Great read, enjoyed it, as always! Lovely!
Can’t wait to run this experiment. Interesting, never thought this way. I will be noting down my observations.
I never thought of comparing shoes to the people in my life. My most comfortable pair of shoes are now too tattered to wear and soon I must let them go even though I don’t want to….these shoes are my mother whom I love and was always there for me. I know I will never find another pair like her and that saddens me because those shoes are not made any more. I have a good pair of shoes that help me walk every day but every once in a while I feel a pinch…these are my husband whom I love and will always keep but I wish the punch wasn’t there since the shoes that are my mom, fit so well. Another great pair of shoes that I love and always fit is my best friend but I know I am the best set of shoes for her. A good pair of walking shoes that can take me to places I would never go to, is a great friend of mine and we have been into some fun and nutty places. I always believe in having a good pair of shoes
Love the analogy of cosy slippers and relationships. My woolly slipper socks are my cosy slippers and in relationships … mmm will have to think about that oen, Nice post Vidya.
Suzy recently posted…Change Occurs … #atozchallenge letter C
I do believe you can tell a great deal about someone from their shoes. I used to be a high heels, pointy toes kind of girl… now I’m more of a sensible heel made for comfort kind of woman.
And my friends….hmmm Well, I think they’re mostly mismatching comfy slippers.
Gorgeous post. Thank you.
I like the comparison to relationships! i envisioned people in every category.
This post has so much insight! I never thought of equating my shoes with the type of people in my life!
I guess my comfy shoes would be a pair of leather jootis I bought from Jaipur. They are almost a bit scraped-out on the underside, and they don’t look as pretty as they did when I bought them. But still, I polish it nicely and wear it almost everywhere I go!
While I can’t equate any relationship with this comfy shoe, I do think I must take stock of that.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and unique thought, Vidya! The best post I’ve read all day! ❤
*Any relationship besides family, I mean. 🙂
I love the analogy of slippers and shoes to relationships. My cozy slippers are my warm woolly winter slippers…and my coziest relationship has to be with husband dearest 😀
Modern Gypsy recently posted…Collage: a quick and dirty primer
I like that analogy, and I did have a small clear out a few years ago…
I read a book recently called Gangsta Grannie (reviewed on my blog for the letter G this month). It had a picture of a stereotypical Granny with thick glasses, and maroon slippers, among other things that I realised apply to me these days! Maybe I should throw those comfortable old maroon slippers out. And get a bright purple pair lol
Awesome post, Mam. I think I have too few slippers. And I really don;t know who is my coziest one! Guess I have trust issues 😛
That was a neat parallel 🙂
I’ve also started believing that we need to discard old shoes once they cease to be comforting. A hard lesson learned but it’s good, am in a much better place once I acted on that knowledge.
Mindfulness journey.
I once made a similar analogy between relationships and my favorite pink kurti, that I wouldn’t let go of even after I dropped bleach on it and tore it! So I totally get it about your love for your mismatched pair of slippers!
I have only 1 such person in my life currently… and (you won’t believe this!) I met him through my blog! The things that our blogs give us, right?
Happy AtoZing!
Kaddu recently posted…A to Z of Happiness: C – Calmness #atozchallenge @AprilA2Z
This was a great post Vidya! Very creative and insightful. Altho I have several pairs of slippers, I only have one pair that truly keep my feet warm n’ cozy. Fortunately I have 4 solid, cozy, loving relationships that I tend to and pray on every single day. 🙂
This was such a clever thought – relationships like cozy shoes, to be nurtured so they last longer and once the decision is taken about shoes that don’t fit the bill, occupying space in your cupboard but giving you no joy then you pass them on. Great write up Vidya.
Could it be a coincidence? I just dusted a pair of old shoes which needed mending. Did the needful with two sticks of Fevi Kwick and ended with my fingers getting ribbed.
Relationships and footwear… an incongruous simile.
Somehow relationships cannot be desecrated by meaningless comparisons.
My all weather companion, understandably, is my wife. There may be some shortcomings( height issues) yet she rises to the occasion …every time.
Yes, at times there is some toxicity in relationships…could be a reciprocal instinct.
Maybe introspection is needed…mainly when ones psyche looks down upon another human being and sees shoes.
Ironically…walls have ears and shoes have tongues….
I have a ear2ear grin…not just a smile!
Never thought of slipper this way