Barefoot buddy

I've been barefoot for about 6 years now. My only exceptions have been for jobs that I can't get away with it at (which sadly includes my current job setting up displays for a large electronic store) and when I use to ride a motorcycle I would always wear boots for safety reasons.
That being said it's hard to start out. People make judgments, people will try to tell you it's illegal, people will snub you, people will argue with you... I tend to like to share the lighter side of barefooting but it's not all easy despite how much happier it makes me and ultimately healthier I believe.
I recently found the buddy system to be a wonderful thing though. My significant other has decided to kick his shoes off and join me in a barefoot lifestyle (also with the exception of work) and I find that support to make life easier.

The biggest hurdle I faced going barefoot was my own self conciseness. Back in college I would often wear barefoot sandals so that not as many people would notice my bare feet and I was wonderful at hiding my feet under too long jean legs. What eventually got me out of my shell was sharing with my classmates and friends why I did it and acceptance from them.
But it has been an experience to see an individual that doesn't do that, an individual that sees my barefooted-ness and that I go through life like that and thinks "why can't I too?" starting out. I see no shame, I see no covering, I see someone else going through the same struggles as myself but doing it their own way.

A buddy can be great for someone starting out. You have someone to share your experiences with. Someone who can make recommendations to you. Someone who can go out and be barefoot with you. I realize how much support I received was online only when I was starting out, and that can be more difficult than someone saying "Hey would you like to go to the mall together?"
So here's my suggestion for you my dear reader- Go find a friend. Find someone that goes barefoot, is curious about being barefoot, or who just likes to throw off the shoes from time to time, and invite them out for a barefoot day. They don't have to be a full time barefooter just someone willing to share in the struggles with you for a day and more importantly the wonders of being barefoot.

I first realized what an effect this had on me in October when we went to Virginia to visit friends, family, and move the rest of my stuff to Florida. We made a decision to leave the shoes at home despite issues it may have caused. We got to the air port, boarded our flight (with a stop that we needed shoes on but we were not prevented from boarding), got to Virginia (where we heard them say 'we told them to put shoes on but they didn't listen'), and went about our trip shoe free (and no issues on the returning drive either!) That was the first time I really realized I was crippling myself keeping "emergency flip-flops" in my vehicle. Emergency for what? There is nothing wrong or illegal about going barefoot so why did I worry so much? I don't carry them or any kind of shoes anymore. When stopped I can honestly say "I do not have shoes with me." And I really do feel bad for the people that do.

I've got internet again and will try to post more (because I do have some stories to tell!) but until then I'll be running around barefoot going shopping, walking the dog, and in general living my life.