Go ahead, kick off your shoes for this one.
Did you run around shoeless during your childhood? If you did, now is the time to get back to barefoot. If you didn’t, well, let’s get you on your way.
The lifestyle change I am promoting is a difficult one, especially for us ladies. We, as a society, have grown accustomed (a.k.a. propagandized) to have slender, pointed, and “beautiful” feet. Afterall, who doesn’t like a pair of cute and comfortable shoes?
I was a barefoot kid, but when I was wearing shoes, I insisted on wearing “black buckle shoes with frilly white socks.” I walked and ran in the grass, dirt, gravel, and concrete totally barefoot and totally fine. Was there the occasional splinter or cut? Of course! That’s part of childhood. With a quick wash and a band-aid (if needed), I was all better. I learned to be aware of what was on the ground around me and to handle the situation calmly, even with occasional tears, when boo-boos happened.
Although I begged to be homeschooled, I went to public school and participated in extracurricular activities, which meant that my feet were required to be in shoes for 8+ hours every day, and they began to conform. While my home time has always been spent barefoot, the majority of my school, work, hobby, and church time was spent in shoes. It was only a matter of time, as I reached my early twenties, that the dreaded inheritance started to appear–a bunion.
My whole life, I have been told that women of my family suffered the hereditary bunion. Maybe you have been told this too. Well, little did I know, until I did come to know, that bunions are not a genetic inheritance, but rather, a societal inheritance. What a relief! Now, what do I do?
Shoes are manufactured to reshape our feet in such a way that leads not only to bunions, but also to imbalance, postural issues, and the “need” for arch supports. The good news is that, if you are willing to make the necessary changes and get back to barefoot, you will be well on your way to better balance, natural comfort, and stronger posture.
After getting married, having a baby, and staying home, I didn’t need to wear shoes except for going out to places like stores, parks, events, and church. We began to learn about barefoot shoes, the history of shoes, the natural formation of feet, and foot health. When we made the switch to barefoot shoes, we were temporarily uncomfortable. As we anticipated healing, we had to be patient and practice. After two years of going back to barefoot, our feet are reforming to their natural shape.
Ready to make the leap? A good place to start is by reading, Are Barefoot Shoes The Solution To Your Foot Pain? | Anya’s Reviews (anyasreviews.com)
A Little Help Along the Way
If you don’t know where to begin or need personal guidance, I’m here to help. When you are ready, contact me.
If you already have gone back to barefoot, way to go!
Mama Lamb 