If my shoe closet could talk, it would probably ask for a map and a therapist. For years, my shoe closet was a chaotic mix of impulse buys, once-worn heels, and sneakers I swore I’d wear for that new running hobby. As a woman with ADHD, I used to think more was better. A shoe for every possible, highly unlikely occasion. Turns out, all those choices were just another decision my brain didn’t want to make.

One morning, while staring at a mountain of shoes and feeling completely overwhelmed, I felt a gentle nudge in my spirit. It was that still, small voice reminding me that God is not a God of chaos, but of peace. If He could bring order to the universe, surely He could help me bring order to my closet. That’s when I decided to build a shoe collection that works for me, not the other way around.

Steps To Simplify Your Shoe Collection

It can feel daunting to take control of the clutter, but breaking it down into simple steps makes it manageable. Let’s start with the most important one: getting honest about what you actually wear and love.

Purge With Purpose

My first step was a big purge. I asked myself two simple questions for each pair: “Do you make me feel good?” and “Are you actually comfortable?” This isn’t what a fashion magazine said I should have, but rather what worked for my real life. Which for me meant goodbye, beautiful-but-painful stilettos!

Build a Capsule Wardrobe for Your Feet

Next, I focused on building a group of versatile, high-quality shoes that fit my feet right. I aimed for a few “capsule wardrobe” players, like a classic pair of flats, comfortable sneakers, supportive sandals, sturdy boots, and a pair of go-to heels that I could actually walk in. This simplified my mornings and removed the decision fatigue that comes with ADHD.

Finding the Right Fit for Your Feet

We are all fearfully and wonderfully made, and sometimes that means our feet don’t fit the standard mold. But for your shoes to be as comfortable as you need, and for the new simple shoe collection to work, you need the right size footwear. This is especially true for people with different-sized feet trying to find boots or heels. When your shoes feel good, everything else feels a little easier.

Choose Peace and Joy Over Pressure

Building a shoe collection that works for me is an act of self-care. It’s about me choosing peace over pressure and function over fantasy. Create a collection that honors your needs, simplifies your life, and makes getting dressed a little more joyful, just like I did.