I seek advice

I need some advice on how to start "barefooting" because i do have a couple of fears about it. Just so you know, I am a conservative and so is my state and family. Here are my fears:

1. I don't know what my parents would think of it... Or my siblings... If I brought it up to them it would be so random and awkward... I just wouldn't be able to do it

2. I'm not afraid of what strangers would thin, but what if I see somebody i know? That would be awkward, too!

If you decided to help me, thanks!

Essence of Weez

 

I'm certainly glad to think conservatives also might enjoy something so simple, pleasant, and elemental as barefooting. Believe it or not, I have or had some of your same fears, and I'm definitely to the left of center. I'll have to think about this and give a better reply later. But for now it seems it starts simple: at home, when you get up, and just padding round the house, forget the slippers or whatever you put on. And being around the yard---whatever you do in your yard, work or play, let it be bare. I wonder how long it would take them to ask why you're bare---this is before even thinking about public barefooting. That's the next level, another post! But at home, you can tell your family, cite, reasons why you're doing it because of concerns you noticed (real or not) that barefooting is supposed to help. Many or even most foot problems can be alleviated, or prevented, by the healthful airing out and walking free. There are some helpful links in the "Organizational Sites" stickied at the beginning of this subforum. You will find many "legit" reasons for doing it, on top of how it just feels so good!

Please get back to us on this. Thanks.

 

I'm a right winger and am also a naturist and barefooter. I don't think it matters what political affiliation you are, just be yourself. You'll soon wonder why everyone else is so stuck up.

I recently took a ten mile hike with my family and I was barefooted. The only comment I got was from an older woman on horseback that said "you must be brave". My advice is...become comfortable with yourself first, then start venturing out a little at a time. Soon, you'll be daring enough to try public places. I BF airports and airplanes a lot. In fact, I haven't been shod on a plane or in an airport for over a year. I've been on over 30 trips since the first time. That's what I look forward to the most. I have a few places that I frequent often, besides airports. Our local hardware store, gas station, Subway restaraunt, grocery store, drug store.

Don't worry about what others think, especially if you encounter someone you know. If they ask, tell them straight up. All of my co-workers know me as "Barefoot". They expect to see me bf after hours, and they do.

 

Building on what others have said, start at home, then venture out slowly. Start with places where you aren't a regular, but that probably won't have a problem with barefeet. Subway is a good choice, as are ice cream shops and video stores. The more places you go, the more confident you'll become...Oh, and I still have self-doubt issues when venturing barefoot in a particularly crowded place.



Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. I have run into people I know whilst barefoot. Most of them don't say anything; they either don't notice or just ignore it. One did say something ("what happened to your shoes?"). I answered that I just kinda enjoy going barefoot, and she seemed okay with that.



Chad

 

Thanks for the help, everybody! I have started to venture around my house and NOBODY in my family has said anything. I have an older sister that pretty much never wears socks in the house (like I used to constantly wear) so I guess they don't think about it much.

I also wore sandals to the park next door and found a little area between a big bush and tree and slipped them off there. Felt good I have some goals set for myself and I think I'll achieve them pretty fast. I will work my way up, but I don't know if I'll get to public barefooting... But maybe someday, I don't know.

Once again, thanks!

-Essence of Weez

=w=

 

Sounds like you are off to a good start there, try and keep it up. I found that barefooting around your house with family members helps build confidence. My older sister went barefoot around the house too, of couse she had to make the comment once in a while about my constant shoe and sock wearing. She would always want to be present in a situation where I had to take my socks off.

 

Good start. I think I remember feeling this way but it was a long time ago. And remember---there's public, and then there's public---meaning, you might find a public park or some such place to be easy to get used to and build your comfort with this, while stores, for example, are for a much later time, if ever.

And I always say sandals and flops are a nice way to "extend" the season and get one used to the idea of being seen bare, sort of, and they're easy to slip in and out of depending where you are.

 

I agree with cool spruce. good advice to follow

 

.

 

Well, I think I've officially gone 24 hours without shoes or socks now... Not in public, all at my house, but that's still an accomplishment for me. I have baseball practice on Tuesday, so my goal is that up until then I will remain completely barefoot at home for those days and only wear sandals in public. I also have a goal to go out into the yard and practice pitching barefoot. No comments from the family yet!

-Essence of Weez

 

congratulations on a great start to barefooting. it's good to start in a comfort area and then expand it when you feel like it.

peace out,
bob

 

Keep it up! See how far you've come already! I think you get the idea, as some others call it, take baby steps, as is often the way to handle other things in life. Occasionally one of the bigger steps may result in a bit of a hurdle. Let us know!

 

Wow... that's different. I can't imagine barefooting ever being a problem in a family... everyone in my family goes barefoot in the house. It's just natural. And in every house I've visited, it's been considered polite to remove your shoes at the door. Some families require it- keep the carpet clean (which is another good excuse for barefooting!). Hmm. I guess it's 'cause I'm in Kentucky.

 

I don't really have much to add.....you seem to be doing good.
I still get afraid that if I go into a store barefoot that I'll get kicked out, but that's more of a mental issue that I won't go into.
Keep doing what you're doing, and eventually you'll find your shoes collecting dust

 

Good luck and Welcome. Have fun being barefooted that's all you need to do. Your enjoyment will multiply.

 

I see the same rules in some houses in Maine, but what it usually means is, take off your shoes and come in in your socks---there are still some souls, (not soles) around here who would be offended, (Unbelievable)

 

Yea, in my house, bare feet are the norm, no one wears shoes. Everyone else will put them on to go outside, but I don't even do that.

 

if u can work it out with ur parents go 4 it i got some troubles on the beginin but my dad mum and my aunt were hippys so now they floatin with it they kinda happy but it
especialy my aunt peace and barefoot it

 

Good to see you making a start. I began to go barefoot around the house and now when I am workign from home I rarely put shoes or sandals on at all. I walk the dog barefoot 3 times a day and walk through our village and while I have had some comments from people I know, I just say I am training my feet for TaiChi. (Which I am anyway)

I find that I drive barefoot now, and just walk into motorway services or pertrol stations barefoot without thinking too much about it.

If you are worried about what people will say you can always carry a pair of flipflops and people will just assume they are uncomfortable and you have taken them off!

Keep it up

 

Well... I just had an epiphany.

I know it's been a while, but yesterday something occurred to me.

I REALLY don't care about what others think!!

I've reached the stage. Today, my parents and my sister went for a walk... So I stayed behind for a second... Then went to the park right next door without even putting shoes on or carrying them! I walked around the park for about 10 minutes and immensely enjoyed myself. A lot of people drove by and I'm sure at least one of them thought for a split second, "Oh, that kid's barefoot. Weird." And this isn't a bad thing for me. This means I've reached my goal!!! I can just go. Without really worrying. Somebody pulled over to talk on their cell phone and I was like, "OH crap!" but then I realized once again that I don't care. So I kept going.

My parents still aren't home... I wanna be inside early so they don't see me waltz in barefoot. I'll wait a while before I do that or formally notify them.

There was nobody at the park today (because it's kinda chilly, only 60 degrees) but that wouldn't have made a difference. I would've gone barefoot no matter what today because I had this realization yesterday. I'm so excited because it's opened up a new realm of possibility! I really really liked going barefoot for just that little quarter of an hour. It was enough to give me a taste of the enjoyment to come when I make bigger steps.