The Serious No Shoes Option

Hi. I've been lurking this board for a long time and never had much to ask until now.

I've been going barefoot every now and then, but a lot more this summer than others. I think it's different and a little adventuresome at times. Just recently got up the courage to take a drive across town and not bring my shoes with me as some kind of security blanket even though I think I could handle it. It's kind of a pyschological block I'm wanting to break. And admittedly I'm still a little shy about going around barefoot in public.

Here is the deal. I just got laid off but I was lucky enough to have another gig lined up but not until October. Until then I can get by on my savings and unemployment. Having all this time and no longer have any place I have to go to that requires shoes, I'm really thinking about taking a serious plunge.....at least for me. I only have two pair of shoes that aren't even in that great of shape. And I'd be hard pressed to find more than 4 pair of socks without holes in them. I'm very tempted to throw away all of my shoes and socks, which would force me to go barefoot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week all summer.

I know it sounds a little silly, but there is something inside me that wants to see what it's like to not even own any shoes. I guess this would be my version of thrill seeking. Has anyone here done this before?

 

I gave up socks a year ago and have loved every "semi-barefoot" moment of it. Some of the fun of barefooting is being barefoot where everybody else ISN'T. Flip-flops ALSO count as shoes. IT DOES take courage...because we are all socialized to behave in groups...all men wear socks...all women cover their legs. It's damn daunting to break out of that. Going barefoot in public was a HUGE deal for me...it's taken a couple of years to NOT to break out into a cold sweat. Now I just leave home barefoot to do a day's worth of weekend chores...going into stores...driving...walking around WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE ME.

It's kind of like being a vampire who remains visible...in the daylight.

When my wife and I go to the shore, I'm barefoot for the duration, usually 10 days. The feeling of being barefoot is pretty amazing...when you stop being afraid of being barefoot. The upside is: people stare at YOU! (Remember the downside: YOU used to stare at people, wondering "gee, why can't I go barefoot, too?")

Summer is a great barefoot time...but you have to start slow. The ground can get pretty hot. I'm a "cold weather" person, so I especially love barefooting right through the dead of winter (minus ice or deep snow). I can handle really cold ground even better than really hot ground.

Given that you're unemployed...TREAT YOURSELF! Going barefoot is extremely pleasurable (once you start out SLOW), and it's something you CAN do for yourself. Other people have to employ you (unless you freelance), but going sockless and/or barefoot is a total pleasure you can have RIGHT NOW.

Go (barefoot) for it!

 

Spent the past couple days barefoot and I'm liking it. I think I'm going to set a deadline to make the choice. I'm thinking Saturday morning. Kind of a big commitment so I guess I can take another day to decide.

 

Do it. If they're good enough, give the shoes away; otherwise, throw 'em out. Think of how much fun it's going to be to go into a shoe store barefoot when you finally need them again!

 

I've been in the same situation before, and I took the plunge! It felt AWESOME having no choice but to go barefoot.

 

i say go for it. i would love to be barefoot 24/7 but, that damn work thing gets in the way. i own 3 pairs of shoes my workboots and 2 pairs of flip flops. i envy the freedom you are able to enjoy.

 

i usually drive with shoes in the car next to my feet just because after a while of driving with out shoes i was told it's illegal... and i can't afford a ticket!


but no, i haven't done that... the one pair of shoes i did own this kid i know threw them out because they were covered in beer and he didn't know i was upstairs sleeping...
i had a job interview right after so i went without shoes... didn't get the job but i my friend bought me a $5 pair that are really the only ones i wear.
i have winter boots and stuff but summer and hot times of the year i really don't do the shoe ething and limit myself on buying them.

 

That's an urban myth, by the way. It's been around since Moses drove a chariot. But there are no laws in any US state prohibiting driving while barefoot.

 

I did it. They're gone. Gotta say that it feels really weird knowing that wearing shoes is no longer an option.

 

A long time ago I met this barefoot girl, Trish, in the Port Authority bus terminal in NYC. She was taking a bus to the Meadowlands for a Grateful Dead show. She told me she didn't even own any shoes. She was able to work barefoot in a clothing shop in Greenwich Village. She eagerly put her sole against mine thinking hers were wider. We matched, even though she was a bit younger. Her soles were very tough and dirty, like mine.

 

I think it would be really interesting to not own any shoes... I pretty much go barefoot all of the time when the weather's warm enough (it can get pretty brutal in the winter here), but I have to keep shoes around for school and whatnot. I also keep a pair of shoes in the back seat of my car to wear when I go grocery shopping in the city--they aren't as strict about it in my town, but in the grocery store I go to in the city, they WILL kick you out if they see you barefoot. Which I think is sad.

 

Sometimes life give us unexpected situations. We have to do the best of it. Just go for it. That´s very much the way I started going barefoot as adult in the early 90´s.

 

Boy am I JEALOUS! Congratulations. Keep us posted on your experience.

 

Remember the feeling you got the first time you went barefoot in a store? That's how I've felt for the past three days. It's been a constant "omg, I'm really doing this!"

 

It takes a while to get over that. But OMG will change to Holy Shit, I LOVE doing this.

 

Have to give you some props here. As exciting as it sounds to throw away all of my shoes and socks to make myself go barefoot all summer, even given the right circumstances, I still think I would chicken out.

 

Man, that's a sweet result of sour circumstances... I've been doing my first barefoot rounds in stores, and I get a HUGE adrenaline rush. It's really stupid, I know, and I tell myself that the whole time, but the first time I bought something barefoot, my hand was shaking when I pulled out my wallet. Such a small deal, but I could see someone making a big deal about it. Luckily, they haven't, so I feel a lot more confident about going new places.

Man, I never even thought I'd get this far. I'm sure you didn't think that of your position either.

 

Somebody called it a "barefoot high," that feeling of...ACCOMPLISHMENT!

 

I was meeting a friend in NYC who loves watching people walk barefoot in public (mostly meaning me). And he enjoys hiking and watching me overcome rocks, boulders, etc. So, anyway he wanted to try the city. He insisted I travel in barefoot with no emergency shoes or flips. I was really excited getting onto the first of 2 trains cause I knew there was now no choice! And the conductor stared but said nothing, which made me feel even more excited about the trip. After 2 train stations, trains, subway platforms and the subway cars, bars, etc, my soles were totally black and I had a rush the whole day.

So, Nospam I totally get how you are feeling and I also am jealous you're getting to have that feeling for many months. Awesome.

Keep telling us how it's going!

 

Well, it's been two weeks now without owning any shoes or socks. Went to the landromat yesterday. Of course I have a washer and dryer but I've never gone to one barefoot before so now at least I can say I did it.

Did all the morning errands, and then some today. Went to Speedway, Walgreens, Kroger, Giant Eagle (grocery store) and Home Depot. Got some funny stares from an old couple at Giant Eagle, but that's it. In fact, that was the first reaction I got from anyone since I got rid of my shoes.

Gone through the whole range of feelings and I think the novelty is starting to wear off some. I'll probably go a couple more weeks then pick up some shoes. I having to go barefoot all the time for a month will be enough of an accomplishment for me.