Going Barefoot - a Free Way to Enjoy Life
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Going Barefoot, Life's Simple Pleasure
Going barefoot is the most fun thing to do. It's one of life's simple pleasures that are often overlooked. I'm sure as children most of us loved going barefoot. We would take off our shoes and socks whenever we had the chance, probably to our parents' dismay :) Sadly though, because of our parents and later societal pressures, many of us "outgrow" our desires to go barefoot as we get older.
However, I know many adults actually wish they could still enjoy that freedom of walking around completely without shoes or sandals encroaching on their feet. It's exhilarating! Remember the last time you walked on the beach totally barefooted? Or perhaps on the grass covered with morning dew either in your own yard or in the park? How did it feel? Aahh... heavenly! Your soles certainly appreciated that :)
Going barefoot in public is legal
Contrary to some urban legends, it's fine to walk around in your bare feet in public places
Unfortunately, many people are actually afraid to even show their feet. Because their feet are covered most of the time, they eventually regard them as private parts. Well, they're not! Otherwise, even wearing sandals would be illegal don't you think?And contrary to what some are led to believe, even going barefoot in public is perfectly legal. Yes, even inside establishments like stores and restaurants! But you don't have to take my word for it. Check out this link and see for yourself. Oh by the way, in case anyone ever wondered, driving barefoot is also legal anywhere in the US. Read about that here.
I go barefoot as much as I can, not only at home or at the beach but just about everywhere. When it's too hot or cold, or for whatever reason I need to wear something on my feet, I would just wear flip flops which is the next best thing.
Going barefoot certainly should not be regarded as disgraceful or improper in any way. In places like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Hawaii, and parts of the Southern US, going barefoot in public is pretty common and accepted. Most likely you will see at least a few barefooters walking around in public places everyday.
Going barefoot is cool
I know some people think it's gross because your feet get dirty and stuff but that doesn't bother me. It's part of the fun :) If you don't like your feet dirty, you can always wash them as often as you like. But when was the last time you washed your shoes? Talking about gross, how much bacteria and other icky stuff do you think live inside your shoes? Eeww! Something to think about, isn't it? :)So, if you've never gone barefoot outside the house but want to give it a try, I encourage you to go for it and once again experience the joys and freedom of childhood innocence. Check out my favorite site with more information about going barefoot.
Here's my favorite link:
Is going barefoot medically harmful?
There are certain situations that can make going barefoot potentially harmful to your health. However, the good news is you can take certain precautions to really minimize the risk.
The most obvious potential danger is stepping on sharp objects and injuring your foot. The things you can do to minimize this risk are just as obvious and easy.
First, you need to watch your steps. Look at the ground around you as you walk. If you see sharp objects like broken glasses or nails, simply step around them or walk somewhere else if there's a whole lot of them in one spot. Common sense, right? :) Same goes for other harmful stuff like fluids from car engines.
Another very important thing is to always keep your tetanus shots current! This is important even if you don't regularly go barefoot, since you can accidentally cut your hand or other parts of your body.
Some people worry about getting worms from walking barefoot outdoors. I'm not talking about earth worms. Although they're gross, they're not harmful. The harmful ones are parasitical worms which can be found in human or animal excrements, and can enter your body through the skin of your bare soles. These are mostly prevelant in under-developed countries where sanitation is very poor.
So if you live in an industrialized country, this is practically not a concern. Again, you should watch where you're going. Even if you're not walking barefoot, I'm sure you won't want to step on anything that looks gross :)
So in general I would say going barefoot is not medically harmful if you take simple precautions. Yes, there are always risks. Life itself is full of risks, but we don't stop living. In the case of going barefoot, the benefits and fun way outweigh the risks.
Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV :) What I wrote above is based on my personal experience and knowledge. I'm not giving you any medical advice.
Top 10 reasons why I go barefoot
Do you share any of them? Please vote!
Do you have other reasons why you like going barefoot? Feel free to add to the list!
Saves me money on footwear
Saving money is always wise, especially in tough e more...3 points
Show others you like going barefoot!
Sticker (Oval)
Price: 2.99 
Large Mug
Price: 11.99
BAREFOOT design (blue) Cap
Price: 20.99
Blue Footprint Ash Grey T-Shirt
Price: 19.99
"I Go Barefoot" Messenger Bag
Price: 23.69
What is your barefooting habit?
How often do you go barefoot and where?
Books promoting the pleasures of going barefoot
The Barefoot Hiker
Although this book is mainly about hiking barefoot, it also addresses bare feet in general including thoughts, perceptions, and a historical and cultural viewpoint. Highly recommended!
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Endangered Pleasures: In Defense of Naps, Bacon, Martinis, Profanity, and Other Indulgences
Going barefoot is mentioned as one of the endangered pleasures. Let's get it out of the endangered list, shall we?
Amazon Price: $12.69 (as of 07/06/2009)
The Barefoot Home: Dressed-Down Design for Casual Living
If nowhere else, your home is the place where you can and should always be barefoot. The way to go!
Amazon Price: $24.00 (as of 07/06/2009)
No shoes for 3 weeks
Actually I only spent 1 week in Florida. So why did I say I didn't wear shoes for 3 weeks? Well, that's because I usually go to church every Sunday (and unfortunately I can't be barefoot or wear flip flops) but I didn't go the Sunday before I left and after I came back.
Shoes suck, bare feet and flip flops rule! :)
Barefoot Sandals
Make it look like you're wearing sandals while you're actually barefoot. Try wearing them to a formal party! :)
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Barefoot sports
Swimming
Pretty obvious, right? Who in their right mind would wear shoes or sandals swimming? Unless of course, they jumped into the water in an emergency. But guess what! Lately some people have been wearing the so called "aquasocks" to swim. Yikes! You know what they say, "if you can't stand the heat..."
Martial arts
Almost all martial arts are done barefoot. Yeah I know, I have seen pictures of people doing it in shoes. Yuck!
Yoga
Like martial arts, yoga is almost always done in bare feet but again, unfortunately, there are exceptions. I've also seen people do it wearing shoes and socks, and nowadays they have come up with the so called "yoga socks" to protect your feet from germs, and they say it feels just like being barefoot. Come on, folks! Going barefoot is really not that bad. Unless there's a big cut on your sole, germs won't penetrate your skin. Lighten up and enjoy life the way it's meant to be!
Gymnastics
Again, it's pretty obvious most gymnasts do it barefoot although there are exceptions like with the other sports.
Other sports
You can pretty much play most sports barefoot. You may stick out like a sore thumb, but who cares? ;)
Barefoot colleges
Many college students enjoy going barefoot
When I was in college there were a few students who did that but at the time I was still very shy and cared too much about what other people would think of me. I envied those barefoot students but didn't have the nerve to go barefoot to classes myself. Most of my friends were conservative and they even criticized me for wearing flip flops to class.
However, I did manage to walk on campus barefoot a few times. I did it when it was dark and there wasn't very many people around. It was still a great feeling.
Anyway, I was searching for some barefoot related stuff and came across a couple of articles about students going barefoot in a couple of colleges namely, Occidental College in Southern California and Reed College in Portland, Oregon. I find that very interesting and wish I had gone to one of those colleges.
Here are links to those articles; there are some very interesting pictures there...
Link 1 - The Occidental Weekly - No Shoes, No Problem
Link 2 - Barefoot Memories
More stuff to show you love going barefoot
Organic Cotton Barefoot Tee - Just Go Barefoot
Price: 22.99
"I Go Barefoot" Tote Bag
Price: 16.19
"No Boundaries" Women's Pink T-Shirt
Price: 21.69
BAREFOOT design (blue) Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt
Price: 21.99
"No Boundaries" Cap
Price: 18.19
Barefoot in the news
A barefoot person made the news? It better be good! :)
Tarzan the barefoot hero
Tarzan is one of my favorite fictional characters and one of the reasons is that he is always barefoot. Click below to read more about him.-
Tarzan Lord of The Jungle
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Tarzan is a legendary fictional character depicting a jungle man with super human strength and capabilities, living among the apes and other animals. Jane is a beautiful woman whom he deeply loves and spends some time in the jungle with him. Tarz...
Texas Renaissance Festival - a great place to go barefoot
At Texas Renaissance Festival you will see a number people walk around in their bare feet either as part of their costumes or even without costumes. Walking barefoot on the cobblestone walkways, grassy areas, and dusty lanes is truly a pleasant experience.-
Texas Renaissance Festival - A Medieval Fair To Love
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Texas Renaissance Festival is located in Plantersville, Texas, about 50 miles north of Houston. It's the largest (area-wise) and most acclaimed Renaissance or medieval theme park in the US. It runs in the fall (autumn) which is nice since the weather...
A barefoot girl at Texas Renaissance Festival
Reader comments about going barefoot
Do you like going barefoot? Why or why not? Please share your fun experiences or any comments you have. But please be nice! :)
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Joan4 wrote...
Around the house, I am always barefoot. However, in the grocery store or other people's homes, I do wear tennis shoes. Soon as I get home, though, off come the shoes! Super lens idea!
Posted June 15, 2009
poddys wrote...
I love going barefoot, indoors, outdoors, anywhere. Very nice lens, 5***** I learned to be wary in New Zealand though where the grass is often covered in stickers, quite painful to walk on even if you have thick skin. Also in Florida sometimes the sand is TOO hot to walk on without getting blistered.
I do have a tip for going barefoot on the hot sand though. When if starts to burn your feet, use one foot to brush away the top layer of sand, revealing the cooler sand underneath. Then stand on that for a minute where it's bearable, get closer to the ocean and repeat as necessary.
Posted June 02, 2009
aidenw wrote...
in reply to grannysage You made some valid points, grannysage. Those are man-made rules based on societal norms of the time. If I had my way I would go barefoot to church. And ties... yeah, who needs tham! Thanks for your comment.
Posted May 23, 2009
grannysage wrote...
I always kick off my shoes and go barefoot on the beach. Other than that, I like sandals. But I find it funny that you can't wear flip-flops to church. Didn't Jesus and his friends wear sandals all the time? There are orders of monks that only wear sandals. I am continually surprised at some of the "rules" society comes up with. Like men wearing ties. Why is that still in style?
Thanks for visiting one of my lenses.
Posted May 23, 2009
EelKat wrote...
I rarely wear shoes, been going barefoot for 30 years now, part of it is due to my growing up in a swamp, in a forest, on a beach and I spent most of my childhood hip deep in peat mud looking for frogs (not a good place to wear shoes!)
Of course, this is Maine, so we get several feet of snow in the winter and I few years back someone saw me shoveling snow to the barn, while barefoot, and called the Human Services! Next thing I knew I had social workers at the house wanting to know, firstly where my parents were (I was 27 years old at the time!!!) and why they had allowed me to go outside barefoot! They kept insisting that I was 14 years old and I had to provide proof of ID! Once they realized I really was as old as I said I was, they left, warning me "It's cold, put some shoes on before you sick and die." LOL! I've been doing this for years, my feet can take almost anything now. It always puzzles me why it bothers people, that I don't wear shoes.
Posted February 23, 2009
Snozzle wrote...
Must be boring as I only go barefoot in the house or on the beach. But your lens has nearly convinced me otherwise but, there again, probably not. Great 5* lens though.
Mike.
Posted January 21, 2009
lisadh wrote...
I like the feel of being barefoot, but my arches get sore after awhile if I don't wear something on my feet. In the summer, I'm a huge fan of Birkenstocks.
Posted December 31, 2008
Evelyn_Saenz wrote...
I love going barefoot. As a child we never wore shoes in the summer. My parents thought it was a waste of money. I have taught my children to go barefoot as well.
Let your feet breath and enjoy a walk in the woods.
Posted December 30, 2008
aidenw wrote...
in reply to Treasures-By-Brenda - That's right, many restaurants create "phantom laws" requiring shirt and shoes. They won't say it's their own rule because they don't want to be labeled prejudiced.
Posted October 29, 2008
by aidenw
My name is Aiden. I live a very casual lifestyle and love freedom. Especially freedom from shoes, haha! Going barefoot is one of the things I do to... (more)
