The Shoe

A quiet realisation about belonging

Image from Walt Disney’s Production, Cinderella (1950)

A thought has come into my mind about Cinderella’s missing shoe - the shoe that led Cinderella to her happy ending. Long story short, she left it behind in her haste to leave the ball before the magic ended at midnight, giving Prince Charming a clue to find her.

But what if the shoe is more than just something that led the prince to her? What if there is a deeper meaning about belonging?

She found the shoe that fit, and in fairy tale style she found the life she was meant to lead… she found a place to belong, and a place she could call home. For me, the shoe is more important than the gentleman who gave it to her.

And these past few weeks, I have realised that I have found my shoe. It’s a high heel (naturally), quirky but beautiful… and it belongs to me. I was gifted components by my friends: a button for the front, the buckle to secure it in place… but I put it together, and it’s all mine.

When did I suddenly realise I had found the shoe that fit?

When I stopped trying to find a shoe that worked for everyone else but me.

Lots of people are content to be simple trainers, and don’t get me wrong — I love a trainer. They are comfy and familiar. But my soul, my life, needs more. Once someone said to me that we weren’t born to be ordinary, but extraordinary… and so is the shoe I have found for myself.

My own “shoe” moment happened two weeks ago when I attended my first tattoo convention. I felt so free, just being around people who celebrate the art on our skin, who show it without reservation or hesitation. Seeing how many incredible artists there are in the country was amazing.

What made it even more special was getting to share that experience with a friend — the first friend I made who I could open up to about my tattoos and my desire for more. Someone who actually understands what it means to be tattooed, and to love the ink for the ink.

It felt like a breath of fresh air, and that was the shoe that fit.

And maybe that’s the real fairy tale - not finding the prince, but finally recognising the shoe that was always meant for you.