Mum Life Now Means No Heels For Me! Ankle Support is much needed

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Once upon a time, in what feels like a completely different life, I lived in heels. I remember slipping on my favourite pair of stilettos for a friend’s wedding, feeling a little taller, a little sassier, and utterly amazing as I danced the night away – blissfully unaware of how much my ankles would one day betray me. Proper heels, the kind that made me feel invincible, gave me a spring in my step and added a few (much-needed) inches to my tiny 5ft 2 (and a half….as I liked to remind everyone) height. Oh, those were the days! Nights out, weddings and work events – heels were non-negotiable. I’d strut about, utterly convinced that I’d mastered the art of looking effortlessly elegant while walking on stilts.

Fast forward a couple of decades, throw in two children, countless late nights, and what feels like a lifetime of lugging laundry baskets, and here we are. Me, 40-something, and heels? Not a chance. These days, the idea of squeezing my feet into those instruments of torture fills me with dread. And, let’s be honest, it’s not just about comfort anymore. I have to be careful, because, apparently, weak ankles are now part of my life.

It all started with an innocent glamping holiday. Looking back, I wish I’d thought to pack an ankle support brace in my case, as it might have saved me from what came next. Picture this: me, packing up the tent after a lovely weekend, feeling all outdoorsy and accomplished. And then – I stepped into a rabbit hole (or was it a pothole?) and rolled my ankle. The pain was instant, and the aftermath? Oh, just a casual trip to A&E, x-rays, and over 10 weeks of hobbling around, waiting for it to heal, after hobbling around Stonehenge with the family for 4 hours that is as it had already been booked and as a Mum, I wasn’t going to let the kids down.

Fast forward a year or so, and I managed to injure the same ankle again – this time walking on flat ground in flat shoes. No drama, no excitement, just a quiet rebellion from my body, resulting in yet another round of x-rays and a painfully slow recovery.

I’m not entirely sure when it started to dawn on me that heels were no longer my friend. Maybe it was the day I attempted to channel my inner cool mum by wearing a pair of heeled boots to the school disco – you know, trying to prove I still had it. Let’s just say that wobbling precariously while carrying a tray of squash cups wasn’t my finest moment. But those two ankle injuries certainly hammered the point home: My days of tottering about in heels are over.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ve made peace with it… mostly. These days, I’ve embraced the world of trainers, flats, and dare I say it, supportive footwear. And honestly? They’re not really that bad! Have you seen the variety of trainers out there now? You can get sparkly ones, colourful ones, even ones with little hidden wedges (for when you’re feeling fancy but sensible). My current favourites are a ridiculously comfy pair of loafers that go with almost everything and don’t make me feel like I’m about to topple over at any moment.

But every now and then, I’ll spot a pair of killer heels in a shop window, and for a split second, I’ll think, “Maybe I could…” And then I remember the cold, hard truth: I’m not 25 anymore, and my ankles are no longer the sturdy, reliable joints they once were. Plus, who am I kidding? I’ve got too much to do to be hobbling around the house or, worse, explaining to Emmy and Harry why I’m sitting on the sofa with an ice pack yet again.

So, here I am, rocking my flats and owning it. Because, honestly, nothing beats being able to chase after the kids (or the gerbils, when they inevitably escape their cage again), walk the dogs I look after, or dash into London for a day of exploring – all without worrying about a twisted ankle or a blister the size of a small country.

To all the Mums out there still rocking their heels – I salute you. And to those who’ve swapped stilettos for slippers (or supportive trainers), welcome to the club. It might not be as glamorous, but at least we’re comfy! And let’s be honest, isn’t that what really matters when you’re running around after kids who seem to have endless energy or need picking up at the drop of a hat?

Cheers to practical footwear and sturdy ankles. Long may they last!