Why You Should Finally Let Go of Your Sneaker Collection
- Tom Goedhart
- Jun 24, 2017
- 2 min read
A rather honest “confession” from Highsnobiety…
“The real value of a pair of sneakers often lies in the hunt itself. It’s the journey sneakerheads embark on - the hustle, the excitement - to secure that coveted shoebox with the perfect new kicks inside. The thrill of buying a fresh pair is undeniable; it’s addictive.”
For many, sneakers are practically sacred. They’re not just a passion - they’re an extension of who they are. As a true sneakerhead with a collection that leaves people speechless, I used to scrimp, save, and empty my wallet for those ultra-rare, elusive kicks. I even ventured into the “black market” to hunt down pairs that seemed to have vanished ages ago.
Anyone passionate about sneakers knows that the journey to get them is half the thrill. You sweat, hustle, and obsess over that prized shoebox, craving that hit of success and satisfaction when you finally bring a new pair home. At one point, I’d spend serious cash just to have a few fresh boxes waiting for me after a long day.
But here’s the catch: an obsession is never good. Eventually, I realized I needed my money for more meaningful things. One day, it hit me - maybe it was time to let go.
Years back, with a sneaker collection that could fill a room, I rarely wore the same pair twice in a week. This is the trap of sneaker addiction: you build a habit and constantly crave the next pair. It’s a loop that’s hard to break. Picking a pair to wear from dozens or even hundreds becomes a daily ordeal, while it would be far simpler with just ten pairs. The cold truth is that sneaker brands will never stop releasing new styles. It’s endless, right? :))
So I let go by focusing on the pairs I actually used most over the past month. My “sneaker schedule” worked wonders, leaving me with a rotation of versatile shoes that I wear daily. Unsurprisingly, my most-worn pairs were the classics, while the newer ones gathered dust. Quite the turnaround from my old habits.
This shift in mindset felt liberating. Instead of feeling trapped with only 3 or 4 pairs in rotation, I felt free from the daily “What do I wear?” stress. It was like a weight off my mind - both at night and the following morning.
“Choosing from dozens or hundreds of pairs every day is nothing short of torture, while everything would be easier if you only had to pick from ten pairs.”
The freedom comes when you wake up on a Saturday morning, not bogged down by shoe choices. Let’s face it: you’ll rarely wear most of those sneakers more than a handful of times.
In my experience, the trendiest, flashiest shoes are rarely the ones that stay with you long-term. It’s the simpler, timeless pairs that blend effortlessly with your wardrobe and end up being your go-tos.
At the end of the day, there are countless ways to express your personality beyond those flashy sneakers.
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