June 1st 2025

Today was the first day of my 100% barefoot for a year challenge. Coincidentally, today is also National Go Barefoot Day! I had no idea. Now if that is not a good sign from the universe then I don’t know what is.

I awoke this morning just before 6am. I was like a kid at Christmas, excited to get up so I could get started. Why I don’t know, I’ve got a whole year to endure. But excited I was none the less.

After a shower and moisturising my feet (important to daily moisturise the feet)

I emptied out my sock drawer. Omg I did not realise how many pairs of socks I had! The drawer filled a bag for life. They can be stored away now for 12 months and I can use the drawer space for some other junk. I won’t be needing my socks.

Thank you to Bullart Graphics and Design in Ystradgynlais for designing and printing my new hoodies, I love them.

The day started with 2 pet sitting jobs. The worst part, walking on my gravel driveway to get into the van. My driveway is the square type gravel that hurts the most. It is hell and I hate it.

The first pet sitting job was letting out 2 dogs for the loo. This one was easy as van parked in concrete drive. Patio and grass garden. No issues with the feet there.

The next job was to feed a cat. This one involved a short walk down a gravelly dirt road. A little more tricky but no real problem. The drive way is gravel like mine but it is very compacted from the tires so it was fairly easy to walk on in comparison to my driveway.

Jobs done for the morning and it was home to relax before the next job.

I had hired the fields at Motsi’s Meadow for 12 o’clock, so I took 10 dogs there for a run around. The carpark which consists of very small gravel on tarmac was actually quite manageable. Compared to 2 weeks ago when I could not even take a step on it. It is surprising how quickly your feet adapt..

From there I was on the grass and it was bliss to be walking on a soft surface for the first time today. The dogs had a fantastic time running around the field and I soaked up the feeling of the grass between my toes.

This afternoon was the turn of the tarmac, as i was in Ystradgynlais putting up the pride flags ready for Pride Month of June. Tarmac, although flat, feels a bit like walking on a cactus, with every dimple being felt. I thought tarmac would have been easier, some is some isn’t. Pride flags all put up, Ystradgynlais is now looking fabulous.

A couple of people asked me where my shoes were and I had a few funny looks from people driving passed.

Back home and my driveway gravel again. It feels worse every time. Just doesn’t seem to matter how I place my foot, the stones really hurt. I am determined to conquer this, after all it is only day one.

The day finished with the 2 per sitting jobs again. When I got to the last one and stood on the cold, damp grass it felt like heaven to my feet. The majority of the day had been spent on hard tarmac and gravel. The grass was like a soft pillow, the coolness soothing. One thing I never realised about feet before is how much feeling they have. Literally every step is like a sensory overload.

Day 1 complete. My feet ache and I am exhausted, and that was a quiet day. Tomorrow is a full day of work, eeek.

Really happy with day 1.

Total number of steps, surprisingly only 4617.

Total donations before today £360.

I have recieced £140 online donations and £10 cash donation today. That brings the current total to £510.

Amazing support, thank you everyone who has donated already.

You can donate using the link below

https://www.justgiving.com/page/barefootnic?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=015

One last thing to end. I have a new camera, Insta 360. The plan is to do little video clips however I have yet to figure out how to edit, so for today there are no photos or videos. Hopefully I will figure it out tomorrow evening 😁