Do you still make a New Year’s resolution? I can’t resist but I don’t try to make impossible resolutions any more. No more of the ‘ I won’t eat chocolate’ or ‘ I’ll go to the gym three times a week’ variety. I’ve prided myself on making a more thoughtful and sensible sort of resolution for 2014. A resolution that will make my bank balance and the fledgling bunion on my left foot very happy.

‘ I won’t choose shoes that I love when I know they are going to hurt me.’

It is actually a revamped resolution from younger years. Used annually, with the word boys (then men) in place of shoes, that sound advice from self never lasted long. In 2014,with shoes in mind, it seems clear to me that I’ve found a winning resolution!

I’m especially proud of passing Fail Friday without a painful purchase hidden in my hide-in-here-until-Chrissie-shrinks cupboard. Last week, as I hung a new rather lovely size-too-small-but-ok-if-it’s-left-unbuttoned jacket in there, I smugly thought at least it’s not a torturous shoe. Am I stronger than your average resolver or have I found the perfect resolution?

According to a recent survey of 750 people who said they would be making resolutions this year and had made them in the past, the average length of time a person can expect to keep to their promise is around three and a half weeks. January 24th is when resolve melts away like Christmas snow. Not me! With Fail Friday safely under my belt, I’m sure I can confidently skip through the rest of the year footed or booted with comfortable choices like a spring lamb or, being born under Capricorn, a plodding winter goat.

What’s more, I’ve found the shoes I absolutely need this week and they are not heels, not platforms, not wedges but flats! Imagine the perfect pair of loafers for spring made in soft leather in shades of caramel and cream, with two eyelets and leather laces and a comfortable leather insole.( Not to worry if you can’t imagine them, I’ve pasted a pic top left.) I love them and they’re in my size but I’m having a dilemma. Right foot says ‘yea!’ Left foot with bunionette says ‘Ouch! No good!’ Head says ‘Resolution?’ and Heart cries ‘Mine!’

Now haven’t we all had shoes that need a bit of wearing in? I’m sure that once the leather softens, the left shoe will be fine. I’ve searched on the internet and found that I can buy a leather stretcher and softener spray so ….. I’m keeping them. I reckon that I’ve only broken my resolution if they still hurt by spring so I’m ready to do battle to get that left foot to fit.

Well, at least it’s not a man that needs fixing!