Don't miss the "Non-Perfect" Opportunities

Ok, it's kind of a misleading title in a way. I actually thought this particular day (in mid-October) was going to be a bit uncomfortable due to the wet, damp and coolness of the day, and therefore "not great"... But I was wrong... It was AWESOME!!!

Another barefoot hike in the woods.

Just watch and listen to the video here. This is shortly after coming into the woods.

So peaceful.

I was coming back from running errands on this Friday morning in town after my morning client sessions. Despite the rain and bit of damp conditions, I had this urge to get out into the woods and do another barefoot hike. I was thinking it would be a bit cool, especially with the rain. I reminded myself however how so often we avoid doing things that will make us feel good, because conditions are not "Perfect".

As I discuss often with clients, when we do this (avoid going) we not only miss out on doing something good for our health, but we also PRACTICE getting good at finding reasons to AVOID whatever it is we want to do! Which is the exact opposite of what we're trying to accomplish and then we wonder why we never follow through with something.

Not only do we need to PRACTICE following through with our intentions (especially when it comes to our own health) but we also need to PRACTICE putting ourselves in "non-perfect" conditions. As modern day humans we truly have become a bunch of babies;

"It's too cold"

"It's too wet"

"It's too hot"

"It's too snowy"

"It's too damp"

"It's too windy"

OMG!!!!!!!

In the case of barefoot hiking the common comments are:

"Doesn't that hurt your feet?!"

"You're feet will get all dirty"

"Isn't that unsafe?!"

OMG!!!!!

My responses...

"Doesn't that hurt your feet?!"

As I discussed in my last barefoot hiking post, I've been working into minimalist/barefoot lifestyle for over 10-years! Granted I don't feel the transition has to be that long necessarily. However, at first, sure your feet are more sensitive because they aren't used to not being protected, your muscles in your feet and lower legs don't function as they're designed to, and the joints and bones in your feet don't have the mobility they're supposed to. But as they adapt, it becomes very comfortable. Yes, you hit the odd rock or root that you may feel a bit, but you also are more aware of the change in terrain so you don't "hang out" on it as long with each step (if that makes sense?)

"You're feet will get all dirty"

We NEVER get dirty anymore. Dirt washes off. We NEED to get dirty more often. Everything is so disinfected and clean that we don't allow our physiology to adapt. Get dirty more!

"Isn't that unsafe?!"

As I elude to in the first question - if you go from being shod at all times to suddenly doing barefoot hikes, runs etc for long distances/periods of time then absolutely it's unsafe!! If you take your time, and over several years (or more) slowly transition it drastically reduces the risk of injury.

That said, as with ANY activity we do outside of wrapping ourselves in a foam mattress or living in a bubble, comes with risk. Some may say barefoot hikes are "dangerous" to which I would argue that the folks who fly along the trails and down steep, technical terrain on their mountain bikes (with speed) are at much greater risk of injury.

The point here is that we ALL take risks. If we avoid everything and anything that is "risky" we would live in bubble wrap on a daily basis.

As with ANY activity ("risky or not") in our lives, we CAN CHOOSE to do it or not. But if we choose to NOT, we should NOT be telling others to avoid it as well. Especially if it brings them joy. I don't choose to go rock climbing, sky diving, white water rafting, bungee jumping etc... because my adventurous risk taking comes at much slower paces (and I'd argue slightly less risky? LOL)

Now check out this video ...

This is early in the hike. I sat on a rock, took some breaths and just listened to the rain. It was fantastic!

Here's a little section you can join me on for a short bit...

Not the best cinematography I know - But what I'd like to point out is the peacefulness of Mother Nature. The calming sound of the rain. The silence otherwise. It was incredibly refreshing.

*As I mentioned in my previous barefoot hiking post, I am in no way saying you "have to do this" or "you should do it". I'm putting out there reasons why it makes me feel great and why I love it; take from that whatever you will. *

My barefoot hike the week prior I hiked 2km. This hike was a bit longer at 3km barefoot (5km total travel time). It was interesting though how part way through this hike I had this sudden tired feeling. Not exhaustion or "I need to stop NOW"... just tired.

I started to think about it though and it TOTALLY makes sense;

- Being barefoot our nervous system is WAY more active than when we're shod (wearing shoes) because the THOUSANDS of nerve endings are firing with each step

- Being barefoot allow us to utilize all the muscles of the feet and lower legs which requires more energy than we're used to

- Being barefoot our awareness and senses are heightened, which more draining (mentally, emotionally, physically)

-It's much more unnatural to where "cushion like prisons" on our feet than it is to be in minimalist shoes or barefoot.

Irregardless of how you look at it, it's more energy (whether alot or a little) being utilized than we're used to. Not a bad thing at all, just something we need to allow time to adapt to.

One more clip for you...

Final Thoughts Post-Hike

-I thought my feet would've been cold due to the rain and dampness, but that wasn't the case. It was a bit nicer temperature than I thought out there.

-The rain wasn't pouring my any means, but steady without question. However, in the woods you're more sheltered anyway so I wasn't that wet at all in the end.

-I was anticipating some muddy sections, but that also wasn't the case. My feet weren't that dirty afterwards (probably helped by some of the leaves covering the trail in many sections).

- I felt like a million bucks.

I think back to how I felt afterwards and it almost scares me that I could have easier said "No - I'll just stay home" rather than GIVING myself that time and attention to feel FANTASTIC! I mean look at this...

The colours were so VIBRANT with the rain and season. Some sections with the rain coming down created this mist amongst the beautiful yellows and oranges in the trees.

INCREDIBLE.

WE need to STOP avoiding things because the weather isn't "exactly what we want". We miss out on so much with that mentality AND we set our health back as well.