From Fixing to Managing: Lessons from My Heels

 As I get older, I notice small changes in my body clearly.

Nothing dramatic. Nothing serious. Just small signs that quietly remind me things aren't the same as they used to be.



One of those signs shows up in my heels.

Especially during winter, the skin becomes dry, cracks appear, and rough patches linger longer than they once did. It’s not painful enough to be alarming, but noticeable enough to be annoying.



I started using Vaseline regularly.

It helps. It creates a protective layer and keeps things from getting worse. But I also realized that recovery itself takes more time now. The skin doesn’t bounce back the way it used to.


A jar of Vaseline used for cracked heels



That’s when something became clear to me.

Vaseline doesn’t really fix dryness. It mostly seals and protects what’s already there. If the skin underneath is already dry, protection alone can only do so much.



So I adjusted my approach.

Years ago, I briefly ran a small cosmetic manufacturing business. During that time, I made a very simple cream—mostly oil-based, no fragrance, no fancy texture. Honestly, it was a boring product.


Applying Vaseline to dry, cracked heels




Back then, I didn’t think much of it.

When you’re younger, you tend to look for things that work fast and feel noticeable. That cream didn’t offer much excitement.



Now, it makes more sense.

These days, I apply that cream first to maintain moisture, and then use Vaseline on top to create a protective barrier. It’s not a miracle solution, but it feels more reasonable for where my body is now.


A simple oil-based cream I made years ago




Around the same time, my shoulder started acting up.

Workouts became limited. Recovery slowed down. It feels like once one small issue appears, another quietly follows behind it.



That’s when I realized this isn’t really about fixing things anymore.

It’s about managing them.



When I was younger, I wanted quick solutions and clear results.

Now, I care more about staying comfortable and avoiding unnecessary strain. Progress looks slower, but it feels more sustainable.



This applies not just to my heels, but to my body as a whole.

Nothing dramatic. Just steady, realistic maintenance.



Maybe this is what getting older looks like.

Not fixing everything, but learning how to live with things a little better.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In korea, I'm just an ordinary man in his 40s.

Image
 In korea, I'm just an ordinary man in his 40s. I don't stand out here. I'm not young, not successful, and not particularly interesting in my own society. When a foreigner lives next door, we naturally become curious about their life. Not because they are special- but because they are different from us Maybe life works the same way online. What is ordinary is one place can quietly become a story somewhere else. I’ve failed before. In business. In marriage. I’m not sharing this for drama or sympathy. It’s simply part of my life. For a long time, I believed success would give my life meaning. I chased money, stability, and the idea of “getting it right.” Some things didn’t work out. And that’s okay. What matters more is what comes after— the quiet days that follow failure, when no one is watching and life continues anyway. My Life Now These days, I live alone. Not in isolation— but in a quiet kind of independence. I share my days with my dog, Hawon. We walk together, eat toge...
Read more

What a Night Out in Korea Taught Me About Belonging, Appearance, and Letting Go

Image
 What a Night Out in Korea Taught Me About Belonging, Appearance, and Letting Go In Korea, there is a place called a nightclub. Not a club in the Western sense, but something slightly different. While clubs exist everywhere in the world, Korean nightclubs are bult around a very purpose: meeting someone new. Everything about the space is designed to make that happen quickly and efficiently. First impressions matter more than conversations, and appearance often speaks before words do. I hadn’t been to one in almost ten years. After getting married and growing older, nightlife simply stopped being part of my routine. This visit wasn’t planned. It was the end of the year, friends suggested it, and saying no felt harder than going along. So I went. We booked a private room. It was expensive because it was New Year’s Eve, but splitting the cost made it feel manageable. The place was crowded, loud, and full of energy. On the surface, everything looked fine. But I didn’t enjoy myself.
Read more

The Secret Behind the Name 'Hawon': A 17-Year Promise

Image
 The Secret Behind the Name 'Hawon': A 17-Year Promise In Korea, military service is mandatory. I completed mine, like everyone else. But the name Hawon is deeply tied to that time in my life. ⸻ Near the end of my service, the outpost commander brought back two puppies from somewhere. One of them, I named myself. That name was Hawon. I took the name from the outpost itself Even now, if you search for it, you'll find Hawon-dong on Jeju Island. ⸻ The other puppy didn't last long. Not long after arriving, it ate pesticide that had   been spread on a nearby field and passed away. After that, Hawon followed only me. Among all the soldiers, he chose me. ⸻ I grew deeply attached to him as well. Whenever I could, I kept him  close. He  followed me everywhere, all day long. ⸻ I asked the outpost commander if I could take Hawon with me after my discharge. He knew our bond and agreed without hesitation. ⸻ Then, the day of my discharge arrived. After reporting my discharge...
Read more