13 Sneakerhead Resolutions For 2013

Image via Complex Original

Chill On Instagram

This one is simple – take one photo of your sneaker each day and upload it to Instagram. We don’t need to see you put your Raging Bull Vs in a pasture of throwback Jordan Jerseys or OG Jordan XIIIs with your He Got Game DVD. We don't need to see mustard and mayo next to your new XIs. And we definitely don't need to see you giving your new pickup the tongue. You’re doing too much man, super corny. 

Only Buy What You Will Rock 

This isn’t trading cards and we aren’t five. Collecting is cool, especially when you have a real sentimental attachment to a specific sneaker, whether it was a shoe you wore in high school and recorded a triple-double in or memories tied to Mike when he won his first ring. But if you buy sneakers just to say you have them and know you'll never wear them, dude, you are truly lame. 

Form Your Own Opinion About What You Like 

Sure, social media is a great way to stay informed about the latest news. Seeing what everyone else is copping and rocking makes for some friendly competition but let’s be honest – too many people are stalking Twitter and Instagram for the co-sign from everyone else before they make a move themselves. This year, let’s all have the balls to be comfortable in our own skin and rock whatever we think looks dope on our feet. Pink camouflage Foams—it could happen.

Chop It Up At Your Local Spot  

You stay on Twitter and Instagram getting a thousand RTs and likes daily and have become somewhat of an authority on the topic of sneakers, yet you never put on pants and leave your basement to meet up with your people. It’s important to show the flag and hit up your local spots, support their business, and break bread with other people in your area. Who knows, if you’re lucky everyone will stop thinking you’re creep and might even put you in a position to prosper whether it is an internship at the store, recommending you for a company position with an old colleague, or even better first dibs on new stuff.

Budget  

Budget. Budget. Budget. Rule of thumb, if you can’t afford your own car or crib than you need to really start assessing where your life is going. Your girl might like those South Beach ‘Brons but she isn’t going to want to kick it in your mom’s basement watching basic cable on your 13” TV for long. You shouldn’t be spending $600 resale prices on a sneaker when you can barely take care of your kids. In all seriousness, pay yourself first (pay your bills) and then have a little fun. You’re going to miss out on a few pairs you really wanted, we all do – the awesome part is companies keep re-releasing things and over time it will come back to you. 

Spend Less Time Obsessing  

We all have a passion for flashing to an extent but you shouldn’t be so tied into it that your friends and family can’t have a conversation with you without your phone blowing up with sneaker notifications. We get it, we love kicks too but any type of addiction can be ugly and your real life relationships aren’t worth damaging over a pair of 1 of 100s. 

Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone 

You have 26 pairs of LeBron 9s, that’s great but if 2012 taught us anything it is that sneakers are so diverse and so many brands are throwing out heat on a consistent basis you would be foolish not to sample around. If you only like high-top basketball kicks try out a pair of low-top Vans – if you only like high-end lifestyle sneakers try out a pair of performance runners. You will be surprised how quickly you grow found of other models if you just keep an open-mind.

Attend A Sneaker Event

You never know who you might meet at a sneaker event. Not only will you get the chance to meet some new ladies and possibly some new homies, but you could even expand your network. You know what they say, "Network = Net Worth = More Sneakers." OK, maybe we made that up, but it's true.

Ask The Right People Questions 

There are a lot of people who have made a name for themselves via the Internets for having dope collections of kicks and being ahead of the curve when it comes to information. They are great to hit up with questions and typically have valid opinions and knowledge but don’t overlook the people in the industry actually living this every day. People like Drew Kanevsky (Finish Line District Sales Manager) have more access and have a better understanding of the business beyond whether kicks are dope or not — make sure credible people are helping shape your outlook on the sneaker game.

Clean Out Your Closet

You know that saying, "one man's trash is another man's treasure?" When it comes to sneakers, it couldn't be more true. Many of us look at a crease or a scuff as a problem and wear a differnt pair instead. We don't think about about the millions of people that don't even have a place to live, let alone new sneakers. Clean up that closet this year and give a few pairs to your local shelter or charity. It will come back around.

Pay The Right Price 

In 2012 the resale game got kind of ridiculous, sneakers that had six figure releases were going for double retail within hours and limited kicks cost more than a mortgage payment – this can’t continue. It’s understandable that your one must-have got away from you and you have to pay extra to get your hands on them but too many people are abusing this on a weekly basis. We already broke it down once, but this is a reminder to not be savages and suckers – there are too many quality shoes at great deals for you to throw away $400 on a sneaker just because everyone else wants them. 

Tell Someone Their Kicks Are Dope 

There's a reason our friend Matt Halfhill named his company "Nice Kicks." Nothing makes sneakerheads feel more appreciated than someone acknowledging their kicks. Not only will you be doing something for someone else that karma will bring back around for you, you might even make some new friends.

Make A Difference 

Everyone has their feelings about the state of the sneaker culture right now, and as fun as it is to pop off 140 characters on Twitter, you could be doing something instead of saying something. Whether it is helping start a sneaker drive for people who are less fortunate or applying for a job at corporate to help shape the future – everyone has these great ideas but who will actually execute them?