Good for you!

Just think about the good ole days before "clipless" pedals. You had a piece of hard plastic on the bottom of your shoe that had a slot cut in it that fit over the rear metal of the pedal. When you were in, you pulled the toe clip strap tight - you were not coming out at all, not ever unless you undid the toe clip strap. You got very, very good at balancing your bike upright standing still. Compared to cleats like that? These are a piece of cake. It rapidly becomes second nature and you, as you noticed, much better connected to the bike. I wouldn't ride a bike without clipless pedals. I feel insecure without them.

J.