Living barefoot

What’s the difference between walking barefoot every now and then and staying bare all-year-round, 365 days, 24 hours? Well, first of all: Leaving your shoes at home is ALWAYS a good idea, be it only for a day in town or an evening with friends. But the REAL fun starts if you’re spending a whole month on bare soles! Your next journey would be an excellent opportunity to find it out. Just DON’T carry any footwear – else you’ll spend much time asking yourself: Where can I go barefoot and where not? What about the restaurant, cinema, a bar? A hike in the mountains? Downtown? Still: Even after several weeks you’ll realize you’re still AWARE that you’re barefoot! Aware in the sense: Shy about it… A certain uncertainty remains – you know what I mean! Of course: Even I am constantly aware that I’m barefoot. Feeling the ground, different surfaces – that’s what makes walking barefoot so special! Those countless sensations… BUT: Wearing no shoes isn’t an EXCEPTIONAL experience for me, it’s NORMALITY! That’s exactly the difference between occasionally sojourns and A LIFE on bare soles! Living barefoot, I’m absolutely confident about what I’m doing. What happens if you’re in town and you’re realizing somebody is staring at your bare feet? You might quickly look somewhere else – or down, feeling at least a bit uncomfortable, right? It becomes even worse if somebody – typically a school kid roaming around with a bunch of friends – makes one of those comments: “Where are your shoes man?”, “Isn’t it cold?”, “Have they stolen your shoes?”, “Look, Jesus!” or something equally funny… NOW you’re really ready to hide somewhere – or to look for the nearest shop selling some sandals! My feelings are totally different: I’ve heard TOO MANY comments and I’ve answered too many questions to pay much attention to things like that! Whatever happens: My self-confidence is by far to strong to feel disturbed! After all: I’ve been living barefoot for MANY years, means I know that it isn’t too hot, too cold, too dirty for bare feet. I haven’t caught ANY of those countless diseases people are normally afraid of… AND: I know WHAT THEY ARE MISSING!!! That’s maybe most important… There are other aspects: Having spent many years without shoes, my feet have become tough – I KNOW I can trust in those leather-like soles! Plus: My confidence finds a perfect expression in THE WAY I WALK: Yes, it looks indeed a bit funny how somebody who is just discovering the joys of a barefoot life actually walks! It’s like as if you want to show everybody that “something isn’t right”, pointing constantly at your naked feet! No wonder that they are the focus-point of everybody’s attention… It was the same with me, back in my schooldays!

As you can see: There are reasons to start thinking about LIVING barefoot! You might reply: Impossible! My job, the reactions of my friends, colleagues, family… Yes, it’s a little bit tough – IN THE BEGINNING! But: Start in summer and take your time to answer questions, to explain – and after a week or so most of the people you’re meeting every day (even that inquisitive old lady in the shop at the corner!) will get used to your new look! Start your barefoot life with self-confidence: Barefoot LOOKS GOOD! An anklet or toe ring might add a certain note… Answer doubts with A BIG SMILE! People will soon understand: This fellow ENJOYS what he (or she – I feel girls have actually less problems with barefooting!) is doing! There will be more people each day which have seen you barefoot before.

You might think: The first winter will be difficult… But again: Only the first one or two weeks! It might be time to talk about health aspects, the positive impact on your immune system… Make people JEALOUS and you might make converts!

Enough for now – start LIVING BAREFOOT TODAY!!! And if you’ve further questions or if you need some additional advice: Just mail me! Be aware though that it might take some time until you’re getting a reply! I’m receiving many mails, and moreover, I’m travelling A LOT – often in remote corners of Asia (As you might know: I’m actually living in India!) without proper Web-access! Meanwhile, you might enjoy visiting my Yahoo-Group “Barefoot Travelling” – please join and leave your comments:



http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barefoottravelling/



Ciao, keep ‘em bare!

 

EXCELLENT !! I really envy you on your 24/7 barefoot living. I do go barefoot most of the time. My job requires steeltoe boots so going barefoot to work is not an option... come on lotto. LOL win that and I'll never wear another pair of footware.

 

Another great post. Hope you'll keep us updated on your travels through asia. Archie