You learn a lot when you’re barefoot. The first thing is every step you take is different.
~Michael Franti
It’s fun to walk through a water puddle. Just put your feet in the water, look straight ahead and trek through — no big deal. So what if your feet get wet?
Watch as those with footwear walk carefully through the water lest their shoes get too wet. See how much longer that takes!
Look! You are making distinctive barefoot prints. Embrace them. Those are your markers, showing the world that you walk unrestrained and free. Smile at the shoe walkers and their now soggy shoes. Isn’t it too bad that they will have to get out of those wet shoes or deal with painful, irritated feet for the rest of the day? Shoes squeak, smell, and are uncomfortable. But your feet are quiet, odorless and soon comfortably dry.
I know that you are feeling anxious and self-aware, worrying that others will notice. What if they comment about your lack of footwear? What are you going to do?
Relax. Everything will be all right. Some may stare because you are breaking the norms. You will be noticed. Just embrace your inner rebel and try having fun. Remember, you are doing nothing illegal. You are just taking a walk without shoes. It’s been done before.
Once you begin walking barefoot outdoors, you will wonder what the fuss was all about. You will discover, as I did, that the world comes alive with tactile sensations. It is as if you can see through your soles. The softness of freshly mown grass resembles plush carpeting. Some small blades of grass will inevitably wiggle their way through your toes, while others will rub against the sides and heels, leaving a slight tickle, making you feel happy and alive.
That cannot happen with shoes; not even sandals can tickle your toes. There are other sensations waiting for your soles to notice: the ooziness of mud, the warmth of a sidewalk, and even the roughness of a rock-strewn path. All of these offer myriad textures and experiences, and add another dimension to your walk.
Like me, you went barefoot outside as a child, only to be told to put on your shoes. I had that drummed into my head. I was told that it was inappropriate — and reminded the world is dangerous for bare feet, even in nature.
And if that were not enough, we also learned that going barefoot came with a social stigma. It brought embarrassment and shame, especially to parents or close friends. We were supposed to look our best to blend in. Yet, as you have noticed, walking barefoot can be enjoyable. Once again, that inner rebel comes out, as we trade style for comfort and personal choice. By going barefoot, you are breaking rules. It feels kind of scary, doesn’t it?
I do not remember when I began walking barefoot outdoors. It probably began when I hiked into the woods behind my house. Away from others, I felt alive amid the trees. It was peaceful and invigorating. There in woods, at one with nature, it made sense to remove my shoes and socks. They felt heavy anyway. Digging toes in the soft dirt became the next logical step. Soon, the tips were caked with dirt, but they felt free. I liked that sensation. At first, it was as if I was doing something naughty, and I needed to make sure that no one knew. It felt satisfying to be rebellious and break the norms.
Look. Other people are on the path. It is one thing to walk barefoot in nature where no one can see you. And even though you have been brave and have enjoyed the trek up to this point, there is something about seeing others that causes your palms to sweat and heart to race. I know what you are thinking for I have been there — your feet are muddy. How are you going to explain this? That is why you are anxious. Relax and embrace that inner rebel. Remember that walking barefoot is natural and fun.
I used to be shy and introverted, but I have embraced my rebellious side by walking barefoot. Usually, I like being quirky and different; it brings me pleasure. In accepting my own eccentricities, I am more accepting of others, for we are all eccentric in our own way. So continue walking barefoot on grass, through puddles, and in mud. You will discover that it is enjoyable and a little rebellious. Embrace that, as we are all rebels in different ways.
— S. Scott Sanderson —