The freedom. It's so relaxing and comfortable. Not worrying if you are printing, or showing the item you wish to keep from anyone knowing about. I stopped checking the mirror before leaving to make sure nothing was out of place. My clothing fits nicely now, I tend to dress nicer than the average person in my area. All the positive education I have been able to give was something I never experienced as a conceal carrier. I used to be worried about what to say if I was caught concealing, luckily it never happened, it was just an added stressor. Open carrying forced me to really know my local laws and responses, and I feel much more comfortable carrying in general. My awareness and politeness have not changed, but that hasn't changed much since even before I carried in the first place. My lifestyle has changed for the better, in all aspects, that is why I decided to stick with it and not go back to CC'ing exclusively.
Wow! That's quite inspiring. Maybe I'll try it some time?
