Breakups are tough, but break-ins can be even tougher. We’ve all been there… eyeing a new pair of shoes, using the last of our available credit to purchase said shoes, bringing our beloved footwear find home, taking them out for a spin and realizing: “OWWW! I hate these beautiful shoes!” Okay, you probably don’t actually hate them. What you’re experiencing isn’t buyer’s remorse, but the agony of breaking in a new pair of shoes. In the haunting words of Coldplay circa 2002, “Nobody said it was easy… No one ever said it would be this hard.”

But don’t worry, you’re not alone. There’s a science to the break-in, and this one easy fix could save you a LOT of pain and aggravation.

You probably already know that you shouldn’t be wearing your new shoes every day, they need some breathing room. BUT did you know that you should actually be wearing them half as much as your regular, broken-in shoes? As in, you’re supposed to bring a backup pair with you when you leave the house and change halfway through the day! SERIOUSLY. This will keep your shoes dry and your break-in process ultimately less painful!

Don’t forget to check out: The One Thing You Should Never Do When Putting In Contacts and The One Thing You Should Never Do When Drinking Wine

[Photo: Neon Blush]