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Let's face it — you didn't get into sneakers in order to learn valuable lessons to enrich your life. You're into sneakers because you love sneakers. Period. But that's not to say that being a sneakerhead doesn't carry over into other avenues. There are things that sneakers teach each and every one of us that ARE valuable lessons. You just have to pay attention. Check out 10 Life Skills Being A Sneakerhead Cultivates, and let us know what else you've learned.
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An Eye For Detail
Not only have you spent countless hours laughing at the crap on Fake Files, you can explain - in excruciating detail - why a 2001 retro was better than its 2013 counterpart. And you can pick the two apart from across the room. Maybe you should send your résumé to Pawn Stars. They need people like you.
Forming Mutually Beneficial Relationships
We know, you want what you want, and you want it NOW. But that's just not how sneakers - or the real world - works. If you want to get, you have to give, which could mean something as simple as "you cop for me, I cop for you." Maybe it's helping out with a regional release, maybe it's picking up something extra at the local outlet. Regardless, it's a lesson best learned young.
Patience
Man, listen. You see the original sample photos of a shoe, what, two-three-six months before the release date? And no matter how badly you want it, even if it's THE shoe to complete your collection, you have no choice but to wait. Work hard enough at this and you could be the next Dalai Lama.
Researching
It's funny how the same kid who has no interest in the latest history assignment can tell you the entire backstory of the Air Jordan V - complete with a PowerPoint presentation of sketches and original catalog imagery if you like. Look, it's the same skill set. Just think of the Spanish-American War as a hyperstrike.
Budgeting
Maxing out credit cards? Getting your mom to buy you sneakers? That's kid stuff. Real sneakerheads build up their bank accounts along with their collections, whethere it's by flipping old pairs to buy new or (gasp) re-selling two pairs of the latest greatest to pay for yours. And even if you're not the type to sell kicks, a real pro finds a way to cop without going into debt.
Maximizing Storage Space
So how exactly DO you fit 200 pairs of sneakers in a 300-square foot studio apartment? For starters, you need to be aware of dimensions, then you need to be on a first-name basis with the people at your local Container Store like this guy. The rest is like a game of life-sized Jenga that you play over and over again.
Taking Product Photos
Maybe you can't take a landscape or portrait photo to save your life - always with the out of focus or red eye - but you're a certified genius with the macro setting. Focus on the tongue tag with everything else just a touch out of focus? Show off the delicate carbon weave of a shank plate? Child's play.
Color Matching
After years of outfit curating, you can exactly match a tee shirt to a pair of sneakers without the help of a Pantone chart. You can tell the difference between Varsity Red and Infra Red and University Red from 100 paces. There are jobs out there for people like you.
Responding in a Timely Manner
The second that tweet comes through about the latest Air Jordan release, you click "send" on the DM you already have written. Technical people marvel at the lack of lag time, Wall Street companies want to hire you as a stock trader. The least you can do is respond to your mom in a timely fashion - she's worried about you.
Waiting in Long Lines
Twitter RSVPs and wristbands may be the way to go now, but any sneakerhead who's been doing this for a while has waited in at least one massive line. Going to the DMV or seeing the next Star Wars movie on release day should be no big deal.
