The Meaning and Origin of the Phrase "Kicking My Feet Up"

The Meaning Behind the Phrase "Kicking My Feet"

The phrase "kicking my feet" is a common idiom that conveys relaxation, leisure, and taking time to enjoy the little things in life. When someone says they're "kicking their feet up," it means they're taking a break from work or responsibilities to rest and recharge.

This casual saying originated in the early 1900s and became popular during the jazz era. Musicians would talk about unwinding after a gig by "kicking their feet" to relax. The term caught on in mainstream culture as a way to describe lounging, taking it easy, and spending time without a care in the world.

A Physical Representation of Letting Go

The physical act of "kicking" conjures an image of someone extending their legs and feet out freely without any constraints or limitations. It represents the freedom and lightheartedness that comes from having nothing to do or nowhere to be in that moment.

When someone has kicked off their shoes and is joyfully kicking their feet in relaxation, it's a visual metaphor for the release of stress and responsibilities. There's a childlike innocence and playfulness associated with the unrestrained motion of kicking one's feet happily.

Taking Time to Appreciate the Little Joys

"Kicking my feet" indicates making space in life to appreciate the simple pleasures and take joy from ordinary moments. It's about reveling in the feeling of having no obligations or duties to attend to, and taking delight from something as simple as kicking your feet.

The saying reminds us that while work, chores, and duties are important, so is making time for leisure. Kicking your feet is a way of reveling in life's little gifts like a sunny day, a cup of coffee, chatting with a friend, or watching clouds drift by.

Letting Go of Stress and Unwinding

This common phrase also captures the feeling of unwinding after a long day and letting go of stress or tension in the body-mind. When someone talks about "kicking their feet up and relaxing," it likely means they are consciously releasing any worries, anxiety, or planning from the day.

Kicking up one's feet represents a symbolic and physical letting go of mental busyness. It allows oneself to decompress and restore mental and physical energy after an exhausting period of work or activity.

Taking a Well-Deserved Break

The saying also acknowledges that we all deserve breaks, and there's joy to be found in rest. After working hard and taking care of responsibilities, "kicking your feet up" is a way of rewarding yourself with well-deserved leisure time.

It's easy to feel guilty about taking breaks or "doing nothing." But kicking your feet gives permission to honor rest as a vital part of health and well-being. By literally relaxing and extending the feet, it's a statement that you recognize your own need for rejuvenation.

Being Present in the Moment

"Kicking my feet" implies presence and enjoyment of the now, rather than preoccupation with the past or future. When someone talks about kicking their feet, it's likely they are intentionally slowing down and savoring the present time and space.

This speaks to the concept of mindfulness - fully inhabiting the current moment without judgment. Kicking up one's feet requires disengaging from constant busyness and overthinking to appreciate what's right here, right now.

Where Did the Phrase Originate?

The exact origins of "kicking my feet" are unclear, but many believe it became popular in the early 20th century during the Harlem Renaissance. Jazz culture was thriving in Harlem, New York at this time, and musicians would talk about "kicking their feet" or "kicking their heels" after a night's performance.

Jazz clubs were lively, high-energy venues, so kicking one's feet symbolized the wind down and relaxed after-hours vibe. The energy of the Harlem jazz scene likely popularized the saying in the 1920s and 30s.

Connection to Blues and Jazz Music

There are references to "kicking feet" and similar phrases in early blues and jazz songs, which also points to its origin in music culture. Ma Rainey's song "Countin' the Blues" from 1925 includes the lyrics "...Just kick your feet up and give your mind a rest."

Count Basie and Duke Ellington, jazz pianists of the 1930s, both have songs called "Kickin' My Feet" and "Kicking My Feet Blues" respectively. So the saying clearly had resonance and meaning within the jazz community as a reference to relaxed enjoyment.

Spread to Wider Culture

As jazz music expanded in popularity, so did its lingo. What started as musician slang spread to the cultural vernacular. By the 1950s and 60s, "kicking my feet" was being used widely to refer to easygoing leisure time rather than just a post-gig comedown.

You can find early references to the phrase in print media features about leisure and entertainment. The mainstream usage throughout the mid 20th century cemented "kicking my feet" as a common colloquialism for relaxation and fun.

How Has the Meaning Evolved Over Time?

While the core meaning of "taking it easy and unwinding" has remained stable, the connotations and associations of "kicking my feet" have evolved:

Less About Music Culture

What started as insider musician lingo became detached from that specific context as it entered the mainstream. So it's less often used to refer to winding down after a performance. The meaning is now more general leisure time.

Work-Life Balance Connotations

In the modern work culture that glorifies busyness, "kicking my feet up" has almost become an act of rebellion or protest. Choosing leisure is framed as a bold break from grind culture. So the phrase has taken on work-life balance associations.

Self-Care Connection

With rising awareness around self-care, there is more focus on the mental health benefits of unwinding and enjoying simplicity. "Kicking my feet up" is now often used to describe dedicated self-care time rather than just casual leisure.

Solo Activity vs Group Setting

Originally the phrase may have connoted group post-performance relaxation among musicians. Now kicking one's feet is more associated with solo downtime activities like reading, journaling, or meditating.

Common Situations Where It's Used

You'll often hear the phrase "kicking my feet up" used in these contexts:

Leisure After Work

It's commonly used in reference to relaxing and enjoying free time after a long day at work, such as "I'm excited to kick my feet up when I get home!"

Weekend Plans

People frequently talk about "kicking their feet up" when discussing weekend plans or days off. For example, "I'm going to kick my feet up and lounge by the pool this Saturday."

Taking a Break

The saying is often used when someone is taking a break between activities or responsibilities. For instance, "Let me kick my feet up for a few minutes before we start the next task."

Unwinding After Exercise

You'll hear people say they plan to "kick their feet up" after exercising or another form of physical exertion. For example, "After this run I'm going to kick my feet and relax."

Indulging in Simple Pleasures

It can describe indulging in small treats or pleasures, like "I'm going to kick my feet up with a glass of wine and some music."

Taking a Vacation

People often talk about getting away from it all and "kicking my feet up" on vacation. For instance, "I can't wait to kick my feet up on the beach during our trip."

Words That Go Along with "Kicking My Feet"

Here are some other words and phrases you'll often hear paired with "kicking my feet":

• Putting my feet up
• Taking a load off
• Relaxing
• Unwinding
• Decompressing
• Letting loose
• Taking it easy
• Resting and recharging
• Enjoying me time
• Treating myself
• Indulging in self-care
• Reveling in leisure
• Savoring the moment

You'll notice these other phrases also evoke a sense of leisure and freedom from responsibility.

Quotes About Kicking Up Your Feet

Here are some quotes that incorporate the phrase "kicking my feet" or convey a similar spirit of leisure and presence:

"Livin' easy, lovin' free, kickin' my feet by a clear blue sea." -Jimmy Buffett

"Kicking your feet, forgetting your troubles, and listening to sweet music are necessities of life." -William Saroyan

"Joy is not in things; it is in us." -Richard Wagner

"Learn to treasure the little things, for one day you'll realize they were the big things." -Antonio Smith

"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time." -Bertrand Russell

"The art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is one of the secrets of energy in our complex life." -Captain J.A. Hatfield

So in essence, "kicking my feet" is about presence, simplicity, recharging your spirit, and embracing rest as much as work. Next time you declare you're "kicking up your feet," remember you're indulging in an enjoyable tradition!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.