What are “Concrete Shoes?”

 “Concrete shoes” is a metaphor for the inclination to stay in a situation when everything is telling you to leave. It’s about not going with your gut instinct, not standing your ground, and not keeping your boundaries. You say things like, “This is the last time…” or “If it ever happens again…” or “I’m through!” or “It’s over!” But when you are faced with the reality of following through, you don’t hold up under the pressure. And so you set the boundary again…and again…and again, but you can’t ever leave. You feel like you’ve lost control. You are physically and emotionally drained, and that’s why those concrete shoes keep you there.