🌿 Why We Became a Shoes-Off Household (and What I Learned Along the Way)
From a 70+ shoe collection to a new habit that supports our health and home
For most of my life, I never thought twice about wearing shoes in the house. Shoes were a big part of my wardrobe… my style, really. I’ve always loved a good pair of Nikes (something about those PNW vibes just speaks to me), and my shoe collection now totals well over 70 pairs. Choosing my shoes each day was part of the rhythm: pick the pair that matches the outfit, wear them through the day, and eventually return them to the closet when I had a moment.
So, when my husband and I moved into our home and decided to become a shoes-off household. I’ll be honest, there was a steep learning curve for me.
🍃 Why We Made the Shift
We made the decision with our health in mind. Studies show that shoes can track in all sorts of germs, toxins, and bacteria, especially from sidewalks, gas stations, public restrooms, and everything in between. We realized that by leaving our shoes at the door, we were taking one small step toward a cleaner home and fewer outside pollutants indoors.
It’s also made a noticeable difference in how often we vacuum. With less grit and grime making it past the threshold, we’re spending less time cleaning and more time actually living in our home.
🌲 Adapting the Habit (Without Losing My Shoe Game… Well, Mostly)
At first, I worried that my beloved shoe routine would suffer. I imagined my outfits without their perfect pairings, my closet with neglected favorites.
So we found a compromise that felt doable and dare I say, grounding.
We added a tall shoe rack and a full-length mirror in the garage. Now, my morning routine includes picking out shoes in the garage before I leave for the day.
When I return home, the very first thing I do is take off my shoes, set them on the rack, and swap into my favorite house slippers or cozy socks.
We keep one pair of “grab-and-go” shoes at each door—just in case we need to step outside quickly.
And for the seasonal pairs I don’t wear often, I store them in bins and rotate them as needed.
It’s not perfect, but it works. And surprisingly, it’s helped me feel more connected to the rhythm of our home. There's something calming about taking off your shoes and settling in. Like telling your nervous system: you’re safe here.
🌧️ What I’ve Learned
The biggest lesson? I can change deeply rooted habits. Even ones I thought were part of my identity.
And sometimes, those changes aren’t about giving something up…they’re about choosing something better. A cleaner home. A healthier environment. A daily rhythm that feels a little more intentional.
Is my shoe game what it once was? Maybe not. But that’s okay. I've learned to swap sneakers for slippers and to love the quiet rituals that greet me at the door.
🌿 A Gentle Tip
If you’re thinking about becoming a shoes-off household, here are a few things that helped us:
Create a designated shoe drop zone (a bench, basket, or shelf can go a long way)
Keep cozy socks or house shoes nearby so it feels like a comfort, not a loss (I personally love these slippers—they’ve made the transition feel like a tiny daily luxury.)
Store your less-used shoes in labeled seasonal bins to keep your space tidy and accessible
Most importantly, make the change feel doable, not drastic
Because the best habits are the ones you can actually live with.
And if it feels awkward at first, that’s okay. It did for me too. But with time, this small habit became second nature… just another way we care for our space, our health, and each other. Natural living isn’t always about big, sweeping changes. Sometimes, it’s just a quiet choice at the doorway. One that says: what comes into this home matters.
In the rain, we root. In the wild, we grow.
