Getting into the habit

I spoke to a woman the other day who said she had adopted a shoes-off policy once after getting a new carpet. However, after a week she went back to wearing shoes in the house with the resulting effect that the carpet had become very dirty.

It is not always easy adopting new habits. It is easy to slip back into old ways. As the testimony of this lady shows, a new carpet will only continue to look new while it is kept clean. The same goes for hardwood floors too and even those 'easy-clean' PVC floors.

Too make a lifestyle change like making one's home shoe-free requires determination.

There are a number of things that will help you to make the change to a 'no shoes in the house' lifestyle.

Firstly, if you forget to take your shoes off at the door and then remember when you are in the living room, don't excuse yourself and leave them on. Take your shoes off straight away. If you make exceptions for yourself, you will give up.

Secondly, don't store your shoes in a closet. Leave them next to the door, either lined up or on a shoe-rack. That way you will notice them when you come in. If they end up in a big heap, it does not matter, they will be even more noticeable.

Get some really comfortable slippers!

Ask guests to take their shoes off as well as your family. That will force you to be consistent. Inviting your friends to a shoeless party will get them used to the idea.

Get into the habit of taking your shoes off when you visit friends. That way it will soon seem weird wearing shoes indoors.

Do readers have any other suggestions as to how one can get into the habit of removing shoes?