why are you barefoot? i read an article the other day about how Michael Franti doesn't wear shoes as a form of protest against corporations that exploit third-world nations' cheap child labor. He only wears flip flops when he has to (restaurants, etc.). I've never really liked wearing shoes. I always take my shoes off at the dentist office (lol) and around the yard but never in public. i love to feel the dirt and grass beneath my feet. it's such a good, connecting feeling. now i'm looking at my shoes and i can't see them the same way as before. maybe i should go barefoot more often. it's definately an option. anyways, what about barefooting appeals to you? why did you decide to go barefoot?
It's a liberating experience! When barefoot you can feel more comfortible than if you were wearing shoes..
For me, it's primarily another way of interacting with my environment. I like to use the analogy of wearing shoes as the equivalent of wearing boxing gloves. Most shod folks can understand that fairly easily. A few other aspects: Health - no foot problems/much stronger feet. Long-term barefooters have highly developed muscles in their feet. Mine have the look typical of musculature found on a body builder. Overall outlook/world view - Barefooting engenders a heightened awareness of one's environment, as you must pay attention constantly. Although this becomes virtually a subconscious process after a long time, it still has a profound impact on perception. Heightened agility in certain environments - On certain surfaces such as slippery rocks, sand, or large granite boulders, being barefoot is a definite advantage. Other environments such as sharp coral rock can, however, be a definite challenge.
I usually only barefoot around the house, but the hardfloors and carpet feel wonderful. I barefooted for awhile on a recent trip (see pic in picture thread) and it was awesome.
first ? in order to learn to walk. depending on an human manufact for a primary ability like walking is crazy. once i could only make a few steps on gravel, rocks etc before my feet started to hurt like mad. what if for some reason I find myself without footwear? barefooting is a way to claim back your body. why men are the sole (no pun intended) animals who cant use their paws without artificial addons? it is obvious, i concluded, that our feet got atrophic and we have all been forced into an artifical addiction , and addictions are no good. i appreciated also to be free from: stinky socks, shoes that hurt, the cost of shoes themselves, blisters, etc. my calves got stronger than ever. three years of BF'ing did what 8 years in gyms couldnt do. my circulatory issues (cold, numb feet) vanished. soon i discovered that it is a pleasant activity too: for trained feet a coarse surface is kind of a massage. after a while barefoot, shoes give you a sense of sensorial deprivation. bare feet are elegant, shoes are ridiculous. maybe that that pair of ugly, hurting orthopedic shoes I was forced to wear as a child also played a part in this. with shoes on your feet cant work the way they were engineered for. last but not least, it is a statement. it means that I decide for myself what is good for me, no regard for the dominant opinion, as long as i dont hurt anyone. it is a small thing, but loaded with implications. BTW someone taught me a lot of crap long ago and I am still working at getting rid of all that false teachings. under this point of view barefooting is another step in my personal way of the hippie. maybe. or maybe i am just plain nuts.
Because it feels good. Because I feel more like myself with my shoes off. And yeah, cause shoes suck.
If I put on shoes because I have to, I immediately take them off as soon as I can. I feel like I'm suffocating when I wear shoes and can't feel the earth.
Careful.....They Say When You Start To "Hear The Voices" It's Time To Get Back On Your Medication.......Juuuuuust Jokin....Cheers Glen.
Good question. For me it´s not any statement, some fashion or lifestyle choise for going barefoot. I went barefoot as a kid and got a taste for going barefoot back then. I only think going barefoot feels great and it´s good for my feet.
as a kid i only wore shoes to school pretty much. I just hated the feeling of shoes. its too hot (and thats not good!). and one day, i was walking around barefoot and had the most intense connection with mother earth. i wear shoes more often now. cause of work and because i dont live in southern california anymore and damn snow is cold! ahah but i only wear flat shoes ever. theres no way anyone can get me in heels. how deforming....
