The front of the foot can feel like the most natural place to land. You may move this way around the house without noticing, only becoming aware when a photo, tired calf or another person's comment points it out.
- crossing the kitchen barefoot without your heels touching down
- wearing through the front of socks or shoes first
- dropping onto your heels when someone points out how you're walking
- returning to tiptoe steps when absorbed or comfortable at home
Looks vs reality
The same Experience can look very different from the outside than it feels on the inside.
"Why do you walk like that? Just walk normally."
This *is* my normal. It's providing the exact sensory feedback my nervous system needs to feel calm and organized.
"You look so tense and anxious when you do that."
It's actually the opposite. This is how I discharge tension and keep myself from feeling overwhelmed by my surroundings.
"Are you trying to be sneaky or something?"
Nope, just trying to avoid the feeling of a weird texture or temperature on the floor that's sending alarm bells to my brain.
"Doesn't that hurt your feet?"
This feels stronger and more comfortable. Walking flat-footed can feel clunky, jarring, or just plain 'wrong' in my body.
"You're not paying attention to how you're walking."
I'm paying extreme attention. This is my body's automatic filter for sensory noise so my brain can actually function.
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