Friend take shoes too help encourage barefooting?

I’ve met a girl in my class that first came off as a little different, based on the way she dresses and stuff… She’s really cool and smart, and I don’t usually become that close of friends with someone right off, but I have managed to with her. We were drinking the other night, and I told her about my wanting to go barefoot… She said it wasn’t something that would be for her, but encouraged for me to do so, if it was something I wanted to do, and that I shouldn’t worry about what others might think, etc… Well I told her about how I was shy about it, and the not so great experience I’d had, and my reluctance to try it again. I thought she was joking when she said that she could just steal all my shoes and then I’d have to go barefoot… We laughed and joked over the details about how it could work, but that was about it. Well I hadn’t forgot about it, but by the next day, I’d just thought of it as rubbish, until I saw her and she dead-serious she asked me when I wanted her to come and take my shoes, I laughed but realized she was really serious about it… I told her I’d have to get back with her on that, but I’ve thought about it ever since. It sounds crazy, but I think it might be cool. I don’t know yet, though, how I’d keep myself from simply buying a new pair of shoes to wear… I suppose since she comes over to my place everyday, she could take whatever pairs I’d bought then, too… eventually I’d run out of money… Well I don’t know, I just wanted to share this tempting idea…

 

That might work, give it a try. Something of that sort was done to me at one time, needless to say it finally gave me the confidence to go without shoes and socks.

Are you planning this scheme to make you go barefoot on a permanent basis or just for the time being? Will she eventually return your shoes?

BTW, I saw your pic posing barefoot. Your cute face and being barefoot go together.

 

I love her train of thought and it is indeed a tempting idea. How practical is it in reality though? Are you really in a position to live without shoes? Most of us in all honesty aren't. We are compelled to wear them for work at least, and probably for other more formal situations. If this is not the case with you, then go for it! Let her do her worst! But based on your past experience I personally feel you would do better building up to being barefoot in your own time as others have suggested, until you are comfortable with it and it becomes second nature so you think nothing of it. Having said that, it's brilliant that you have met someone who supports you, especially as she is not into it herself. It will increase your confidence enormously, so that you don't care about the comments of others as you described before. Good luck!

 

I have to agree with Charlie on this one. How workable is this really? You were subjected to a bunch of verbal abuse when you did some recreational barefooting and now you are contemplating being barefoot 24/7? I'd stick with some of the ideas presented in response to your initial post. Of here's a suggestion - since your friend does not seem to mind the idea of you being barefoot - do it when you're with her, better yet, ask her to join you and the two of you can vventure out together. There's strenght in numbers, and if she tries it, she may end up enjoying it.

 

I don't think you should give up just because some of your friends acted so silly. You obviously like the feeling of going barefoot and nobody should make you change your mind.
My suggestion in case you get uncomfortable is to have some shoes in your purse. Also wearing longer and wider jeans would make it easier for you in the beginning.
Be yourself and go barefoot!

 

I agree that it sounds a little less than practical, but I think I'm going to go through with having my friend take all my shoes... I'm only a full-time student, and don't have a job to worry about, but I can see there being some situations where I'd need shoes, and that will be one of the details we discuss this afternoon when she comes to take them. She seems real anxious about it, and thinks it'll be fun. I have some butterflys about it, but anxious, myself, also. I know I could go out and buy and shoes easy enough, if I decide to have second thoughts at the last minute before going out barefoot, but thats just a chance I'll have to take, I guess...

 

Keep us posted on how things go with it, Good luck!

 

Can you imagine it? Not having any shoes? Not owning a single pair? Going barefoot because there's the only option? Telling people that you walk barefoot because you don't have any shoes anymore, because all of them were stolen?

I think this is the perfect alibi you need.

 

Anna,

How's it going? Has you friend taken your shoes yet? How are you getting on without them? Just curious.

Chad

 

Yeah, she took them last night... I wanted to discuss some of the details a little more, but we weren't able to, very much. I had all my shoes laid out when she got here, but she went around and checked under my bed and all the furniture, the closets, and even my car. I told her I wasn't hiding any shoes anywhere, and that I wanted to do this as much as her, but she wouldn't take my word for it. I wanted to make some agreement about me being able to "borrow" a pair for some special occassion that might arise, but she was in a hurry, and I couldn't really get her to discuss it. She said she'd be over to make sure I didn't buy any, at least until I got more used to going barefoot all the time, and of course we see each other on campus. I just have one class on Mondays, so today was just like a little taste of it, I guess. It was the first time I'd been on campus without shoes, though. One girl asked where or what had happened to my shoes, and I just told her that I wasn't wearing any today. I could tell she wanted more of an explanation, but I was too nervous discuss it anymore with her, and acted like I was preoccupied with my phone and writing stuff down in my notebook, while we were waiting for class to start. I wonder what she'll think Wednesday when I show up barefoot to class again? To tell the truth, I was glad I didn't have to stay on campus very long today... I don't know if I'll have any problem with wanting to buy a pair of shoes or not... When I'm at home for the evening, I don't have any desire to wear shoes, and look foward to going barefoot the next day, but if I was going out, I know I'd definitely want a pair... I guess I'm just going to have to work up the courage to deal with that somehow... At least I'm lucky it doesn't get too cold where I live...

I'm supposed to be going out halloween with the same friends that gave me a hard time when I went out barefoot to the bars the last time, so I may be in for more criticizm from them... I haven't told them that I'll be barefoot yet... Two of them are going to be cops, and I'm going to be a prisoner they're escorting. They have these tight little outfits for themselves, and I have a loose fitting black and white striped gown. They were supposed to order a suit for me, that would have consisted of a shirt and pants, but they say they messed up and ordered me the only the gown. I'm a little self-conscious about having only the gown to wear as opposed to the suit version with the pants, so maybe I won't even end up going out with them... I don't know, but I'm sure I'll be nervous about it when the time comes...

 

Anna - good luck with this. I hope it goes well for you. I really hope you aren't diving in over your head and get discouraged or end up with sore feet - which is often the case owhen someone does too much too fast.
You mentioned today was the first time you've been on campus barefoot. Did you like how that felt? Campuses generally have a wide variety of surfaces you can treat your soles too.
Since you apparently live off campus how do you get there? If you walk, how far is it?
Perhaps by going to school barefoot you'll meet some other barefooters and encourage a few to ditch their footwear too!

 

Hi Anna

It's good that your friend is helping you with this, to get the courage to go barefoot.

Will you post some pics of your new life for us to see?

 

Hhmmmm...am I the only one who's becoming rather suspicious about all this?? Anna, if you are real and genuine, then I apologize now for what I am going to say, 100% unreservedly, and I admire you greatly for your progress. But I have a sneaky suspicion we are being led on by a male fantasist here...think about it....a female who goes barefoot for the first time for a night out in a bar? How many of us know girls who would ever do that? Now she suddenly has a friend who will come round and remove all her shoes (how plausible is that???), and has started going barefoot on campus?? From saying she was so embarrassed by her friends she would never go barefoot again, in a very short time she is now almost a 24/7 barefooter! Really?? Anna, if you are genuine, 100% apologies and I admire you enormously. I just have a nasty suspicious mind (especially where the internet is concerned).

 

Have courage and continue to go Barefoot. I have been completely in my Bare Feet for 31 years now, and all my friends and family are used to seeing my Dirty, Callused Bare Feet, so there haven't been any comments in years. I went through the same things you're experiencing but perservered, as many other Barefooters here have done. I was 16 when I stopped using footwear, and I had to ask my parents for a permission note to attend my Senior year of High School in my Bare Feet. It was very difficult to accomplish this, but I insisted and got my way. Keep Barefooting, it's well worth it, and you'll probably meet some new friends who will think you're super cool for being a true Barefooter. You might even meet and befriend other Barefooters as I have.