Going Barefoot

The garden is basically my haven.

I’ve watched as my elders have pruned, hoed, and mowed their little havens with little to no interest. The garden was a place to play, to run, to frolic, and to indulge my imagination.

Potions were made, perfumes created, dens evolved into far off lands, and the changing seasons a constant reminder of my maturation.

I love the outdoors, the smells, the colours, and the beautiful horizons that stretch for miles; but when it came to dirt I was more akin to stepping around muddy patches rather than wading through it. My dislike for all things creepy-crawly kept me from enjoying digging and making mud-pies and my hatred for anything with six legs had me comfortably playing indoors with my dolls house and paints.

And yet ironically, when I moved to the city, away from the countryside, the trees and the fields, I suddenly became at one with mud. Missing the sweet smell of manure traveling on the wind from the local farm, I don my wellington boots at every chance I get.

Splashing in puddles, marching up hills, playing in the mud, and happily taking to my garden to catch the last slithers of sunshine after getting back from work. With trowel in hand, digging and weeding, I am even contemplating the purchase of a padded kneeler to support my knees. (I am almost heading into my 30s...)

Having lived in Bath now for six years, and having now settled into our new abode, I might still in the city, but I also have the good fortune of a garden all to myself (and my other half). My wellington boots at the ready, the other day I took to the lawn with high hopes.

My first memory of using a lawnmower was created last week and it was one of pure adoration. For some reason, a wave of adrenaline swooshed up my arms and into my legs as I felt the first vibrations of the mower startup. The power I felt as I pushed the machine over stubborn weeds was exciting and I was mesmerised as I watched the long luscious grass being neatly trimmed and compacted. All my neat-freak issues were happily being met, along with the work-out I got after tackling the overgrown forest. Feeling at one with nature and fuelled by the overwhelming sense of happiness, I slipped out of my wellies, my protection from the mess, the dirt and the mud, pulled off my socks, and stood barefoot on the grass.

Heaven.

I’ve read before about the power of Earthing: 

“The old people came literally to love the soil. They sat on the ground with the feeling of being close to a mothering power. It was good for the skin to touch the Earth, and the old people liked to remove their moccasins and walk with their bare feet on the sacred Earth. The soil was soothing, strengthening, cleansing, and healing.”  ― The late Ota Kte (Luther Standing Bear), Lakota Sioux writer, educator, and tribal leader

Known as Vitamin “G” (for Ground) – Earthing takes you barefoot to marvel at the earth, at Mother Nature, and in return, you recharge yourself with a natural electrical charge present on the surface of the planet. Possibly a tingling feeling in your tootsies, a warm sensation rising through your feet and legs, or you may not feel anything at all but you will still receive some of that amazing energy and will feel rejuvenated.  The ground seems to be a powerful medicine capable of reducing pain and inflammation, improving sleep and energy, and speeds recovery from injuries and exhaustion.

Wiggling my toes, feeling joyous, and at one with nature, I looked around at my masterpiece. The weeds may still be there, flowers coming to the end of their bloom adorn our trellises and the fence needs a new lick of paint. The patio needs a good clean, the trees cut back and pots replaced. But after my battle with the lawnmower, I didn’t see it as a chore. I saw it as an exciting opportunity to have my own little oasis away from the city and take me back to my country roots.

If you haven’t tried taking your shoes off and feeling the grass between your toes as an adult, just for a bit, then I recommend it wholly to you.

And if you are considering going barefoot on your wedding day, there are some practicalities to consider which I can go through with you, but in the grand scheme of your day, if this brings you joy - do it.

Love and Light

xx