Comments on: Real Life Minimalists: Jesse

By: Red

Red — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:29:30 +0000

What a great story! And that bit about going barefoot convinced me to finally donate my knee-high four-inch heel boots that I’ve had FOREVER and refused to get rid of because “it took me so long to find them.” I don’t even have anything to wear them with (beyond black slacks, which kinda defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?), but I refused to donate them because I used to wear them so much. Reading your story made me remember that, hey, high heels are NOT good for your feet. All of my other shoes are flats or tennis shoes, but I’m going to look into your suggestions as well. Thanks for sharing with us!

By: Debi

Debi — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:59:28 +0000

Thanks for the great story, Jesse! I’m just starting down the path of simplicity, although it has been a dream for many years. Colorado is my home state, so good luck in Denver when you get there!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:51:19 +0000

Jesse, great post! Speak to me more of these shoes! I too have ghastly orthotics and am supposed to ear them/structured shoes but my feet still hurt…. argh. Please please please write a shoe post on your blog! Thanks.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:26:46 +0000

Thanks for the comments all!

@ Robyn – There’s a little issue of $$$, that’s why I can’t go straight to Denver. I don’t own that car yet, and by the time I get back my resources will have dwindled so low that I’ll be mooching a basement from family to live in as well as a car to get me to whatever job I can find…so the stop in Seattle, while unwanted, is an unfortunate necessity.

@ Charley – look at the Flow model. I just saw pics of someone wearing them around the DC Snowpacolypse!

@ Jen – Exactly! To paraphrase, every journey starts with one step…

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:35:05 +0000

Well written; excellent post. I particularly loved your description of clearing off the first shelf. Look where that has gotten you!

By: Robyn

Robyn — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 03:09:02 +0000

I also love these stories of how people came to Jesu- I mean, minimalism! Every time I think I’ve hit a plateau, something like Jesse’s story inspires me onward. I’m just curious why you can’t move directly to Denver after your return from being overseas, instead of going to Seattle first. Get the dog, the car and get where you want to be the most. just a thought. not trying to be bossy

By: Charley Forness

Charley Forness — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:38:05 +0000

The Vibram Five Fingers seems to be becoming the minimalists foot choice. I’m undecided. I live in one of the snowiest regions of the United States and as such, these shoes would be worthless for much of the year, apart from indoor walking, but I walk barefoot alot indoors anyways.

With that being said, I love these stories. They really do provide inspiration for me and thank you to Jesse for sharing.

- Charley

By: Gwen

Gwen — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 18:40:51 +0000

Hi Jesse!

How timely! Inspired by the recent article in Nature on the benefits of going barefoot, I too, have begun “barefootin’ it”.

My husband and I have been clearing out a lot of stuff over the past year and it really does make such a difference (in a positive way) in how you view your world.

By: Simple in France

Simple in France — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 12:36:59 +0000

That’s a fascinating bit about the shoes, as I’m fixated on the comfortable shoe. Although I was once told I should always wear shoe inserts and highly structured shoes, I’ve stopped. Instead, I do exercises that help strengthen my feet. It seems to be working. I like the idea of fitting all my stuff into the back of a car. I still have too much for my liking, and it makes moving a pain.