Personally, I don't like the label. But by default it's the only one that fits what other's would call it. To me, it just means I'm human. I like being human. I'm fine with what I look like, and I'm fine with what other people look like. The alternative is to be disguised, augmented, ashamed, insecure, and taking offense at others being simply what they are. Naked, I'm me. It's my default condition. My baseline. It is what I am. Part of my environment, rather than unevenly and cruelly cut off from it. Why should only my feet be free of their prison when I come home? Why am I the "different"one when it's you guys who can't just be yourselves?
Nudity is another useless term. So is "naked". A naked person is simply a person. Nudity is nothing more than people being what they are. It isn't a modifier describing that person like clothing is.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Is it OK to let your kids sleep nude?
Would age or gender play a factor? This was a question recently asked on Yahoo Answers, but I didn't get to answer in time. I haven't made a blog entry for a while, so here goes:
Yes, it's OK to let your kids sleep nude. Age and gender are irrelevant. And not just because it's comfortable and there's nothing wrong with them doing so, but because they should at least be offered the choice. Think about it this way. They start off preferring to be naked as often as they get away with it when they're young. And they don't mind in the least if other people, including adults are naked. But you have to socialize them into the culture, so through complete immersion and constant pressure, you condition them to be insecure about themselves, ashamed and embarrassed to be what they are, and offended by what other people are. Just like everyone else.
Worse yet, maybe because you've been so over conditioned yourself, you reinforce this bizarre behavior even in your own home. The one place where they should feel unconditionally loved and accepted, showing absolute trust and respect to others in the family, you continue to grind into them that they're not just fine, as they are.
Worse yet, you would send the signal to them that it's improper to be what they are even in the privacy of their own bed when they aren't bothering anyone else? You would rather they be less comfortable and have their shame and insecurity be that complete? Gee thanks Dad!
Our kids never had to wonder if they had a choice. Both my wife and I have always slept naked, and they've always known that. If I had to do it over again, unless we had guests over, I wouldn't bring PJs for them to change into after their baths. They'd know where they are and would know that it's required of them if we have guests over. But if they don't want to go get them and put them on, they don't have to. And it would be OK to stay that way until they had to get dressed for school, if they wanted to.
Strange, but with the kids gone, I find I behave that way myself these days. By not doing so when they were still in the house, I feel that I set a bad example for them. But I would at least have reminded them that they had a choice how they slept.
Yes, it's OK to let your kids sleep nude. Age and gender are irrelevant. And not just because it's comfortable and there's nothing wrong with them doing so, but because they should at least be offered the choice. Think about it this way. They start off preferring to be naked as often as they get away with it when they're young. And they don't mind in the least if other people, including adults are naked. But you have to socialize them into the culture, so through complete immersion and constant pressure, you condition them to be insecure about themselves, ashamed and embarrassed to be what they are, and offended by what other people are. Just like everyone else.
Worse yet, maybe because you've been so over conditioned yourself, you reinforce this bizarre behavior even in your own home. The one place where they should feel unconditionally loved and accepted, showing absolute trust and respect to others in the family, you continue to grind into them that they're not just fine, as they are.
Worse yet, you would send the signal to them that it's improper to be what they are even in the privacy of their own bed when they aren't bothering anyone else? You would rather they be less comfortable and have their shame and insecurity be that complete? Gee thanks Dad!
Our kids never had to wonder if they had a choice. Both my wife and I have always slept naked, and they've always known that. If I had to do it over again, unless we had guests over, I wouldn't bring PJs for them to change into after their baths. They'd know where they are and would know that it's required of them if we have guests over. But if they don't want to go get them and put them on, they don't have to. And it would be OK to stay that way until they had to get dressed for school, if they wanted to.
Strange, but with the kids gone, I find I behave that way myself these days. By not doing so when they were still in the house, I feel that I set a bad example for them. But I would at least have reminded them that they had a choice how they slept.
Friday, September 23, 2011
The Politics of Social Nudity
My personal politics is "conservative". I'm for limited government and maximum liberty. I trend toward being a libertarian, but I just can't get my head wrapped around legalizing all drugs. But I can and do embrace the concept that people should be free to express themselves in any manner that they like, as long as they don't infringe on the rights of others. Where I disagree with many is that I don't see how someone being naked, which is after all just expressing themselves, as themselves, violates other people's "right" not to see or hear things they don't personally want to see or hear. Too bad. The price of freedom is mutual respect and tolerance.
So maybe people won't be allowed to wander the streets without any clothes on in most cities, but there should be enough places locally where people can go to be outdoors without their clothing, that it could be said that their rights were at least being respected. Let the size and accessibility of those areas be proportional to the number of people who use them, and people will vote with their feet. If no one comes, shrink the space allocated and give other uses the more prime locations. But if many people come, expand and mainstream the places where people can be naked together.
The problem on the right side of the spectrum is we have too many people who really want a theocracy. To me, that's just fascism by another name. And on the left, they're all to quick to grant "harmless" freedoms as a means of distracting people from realizing that they really have no real freedoms whatsoever. East Germany is a good example. The government not only allowed, but encouraged nudism to flourish, all the while controlling almost every other aspect of the people's lives. The guiding principle on the left is "we know what's good for you". Those governments always start off with the "good of the people" in mind, later winding up with "what's good for the government" as their only concern.
So maybe people won't be allowed to wander the streets without any clothes on in most cities, but there should be enough places locally where people can go to be outdoors without their clothing, that it could be said that their rights were at least being respected. Let the size and accessibility of those areas be proportional to the number of people who use them, and people will vote with their feet. If no one comes, shrink the space allocated and give other uses the more prime locations. But if many people come, expand and mainstream the places where people can be naked together.
The problem on the right side of the spectrum is we have too many people who really want a theocracy. To me, that's just fascism by another name. And on the left, they're all to quick to grant "harmless" freedoms as a means of distracting people from realizing that they really have no real freedoms whatsoever. East Germany is a good example. The government not only allowed, but encouraged nudism to flourish, all the while controlling almost every other aspect of the people's lives. The guiding principle on the left is "we know what's good for you". Those governments always start off with the "good of the people" in mind, later winding up with "what's good for the government" as their only concern.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Why am I a Nudist?
Language is a funny thing. If I had phrased the title "Why I am a Nudist", I'd be justifying my choice. This would be like me explaining "Why I am an Engineer", instead of trying to figure out why I was doomed to become one (Why am I an Engineer?). Scott Adams described me all too well, right down to building ham radios at a young age: "The Knack". Sometimes I think he should have called it "The Curse".
So... I like going to nude beaches. I like going to nude campgrounds and resorts. I'm very comfortable being nude around others, and other people look just fine to me when they're naked. Even so, most people don't feel that way, so why do I?
I get the feeling that if I asked God, he would be annoyed and amused by the question. He'd say, "look stupid, you're supposed to like being what you are, and you're supposed to like others being what they are". I didn't create you to be ashamed of yourself and intolerant of the form of your own species. You're not the one who's screwed up about this. The others are. And stop calling yourself a "nudist". You're a human. Enjoy being human. Go away and find something more important to complain about.
So... I like going to nude beaches. I like going to nude campgrounds and resorts. I'm very comfortable being nude around others, and other people look just fine to me when they're naked. Even so, most people don't feel that way, so why do I?
I get the feeling that if I asked God, he would be annoyed and amused by the question. He'd say, "look stupid, you're supposed to like being what you are, and you're supposed to like others being what they are". I didn't create you to be ashamed of yourself and intolerant of the form of your own species. You're not the one who's screwed up about this. The others are. And stop calling yourself a "nudist". You're a human. Enjoy being human. Go away and find something more important to complain about.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Mazo Beach Revisited
Though I live in Florida, about 15 years ago I did a 5 year stint in the Midwest. By then, I was already going to different nude beaches and resorts, so I looked up where to go there. Mazo Beach in Wisconsin was about a 3 hour drive away from where I was working. It was a long day trip or an easy overnighter, so I started going for several weekends over the summers I was there.
I loved the place and the people, but life once again intervened and I was back in Florida and rarely had a chance to be back up that way for any length of time. Except this weekend. I had to be up there on Monday, so I came up on Friday and spent the weekend touring Wisconsin and spending today (Sunday) at Mazo.
It used to be that you could park at the end or along the road if the lot was full (which it usually was unless you got there very early). Now the only people who can use that lot are the disabled who have requested and received keys to the gate.d For everyone else, it's a 20 minute walk from a thankfully large parking lot.
I got there around 9 AM, driving up from Madison, wanting to spend a full day there. It was sunny and in the 70's (it was pushing 100 a lot the weeks before). People started to arrive slowly, spreading out and not talking to each other much. But as the day wore on, there were easily over 200 people there and things got pretty lively. The volleyball net was strung up and a long string of spirited games began. The mix started off mostly male, but by afternoon, there was a good mix of couples, including a few families with young kids. A very nice happy crowd.
I used to be painfully shy, but these days I make it a point to start up casual conversations, which I did with several people. There was a young couple on the fringe who came in on kayaks scoping the place out. They were there the whole afternoon. Him clothed, her only topless. I stopped by welcoming them and encourage them to walk around, clothed being fine, and just listen. Others came by and were also very friendly to them. Maybe next time they'll take the plunge.
By 3 PM, it was getting cloudy with some sprinkles, and I had a long drive back to where I had to be on Monday. Even though some had already left, the disabled lot was crammed full of bicycles, the large parking lot at the end of the long walk was full, and outside the reserve, there were calls parked up and down the street on both sides for some distance.
I'm glad to see Mazo is still much the same. Wonderful!
I loved the place and the people, but life once again intervened and I was back in Florida and rarely had a chance to be back up that way for any length of time. Except this weekend. I had to be up there on Monday, so I came up on Friday and spent the weekend touring Wisconsin and spending today (Sunday) at Mazo.
It used to be that you could park at the end or along the road if the lot was full (which it usually was unless you got there very early). Now the only people who can use that lot are the disabled who have requested and received keys to the gate.d For everyone else, it's a 20 minute walk from a thankfully large parking lot.
I got there around 9 AM, driving up from Madison, wanting to spend a full day there. It was sunny and in the 70's (it was pushing 100 a lot the weeks before). People started to arrive slowly, spreading out and not talking to each other much. But as the day wore on, there were easily over 200 people there and things got pretty lively. The volleyball net was strung up and a long string of spirited games began. The mix started off mostly male, but by afternoon, there was a good mix of couples, including a few families with young kids. A very nice happy crowd.
I used to be painfully shy, but these days I make it a point to start up casual conversations, which I did with several people. There was a young couple on the fringe who came in on kayaks scoping the place out. They were there the whole afternoon. Him clothed, her only topless. I stopped by welcoming them and encourage them to walk around, clothed being fine, and just listen. Others came by and were also very friendly to them. Maybe next time they'll take the plunge.
By 3 PM, it was getting cloudy with some sprinkles, and I had a long drive back to where I had to be on Monday. Even though some had already left, the disabled lot was crammed full of bicycles, the large parking lot at the end of the long walk was full, and outside the reserve, there were calls parked up and down the street on both sides for some distance.
I'm glad to see Mazo is still much the same. Wonderful!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
What people look like naked
I wonder why people think that people look so awful naked, or why people assume they would be sexually aroused just by the sight of naked people.
I like the way we are. We're diverse, interesting, and yes, beautiful in our own ways. Kids are cute, adults look fine, and older people and people who aren't in the best shape really don't look that much different naked than with their clothes on. Everyone looks like people.
I like seeing black people, gay people, Asian people, old people, out of shape people. In short, I like being human. I like the variety. I like being me and I like you being you.
I'm not perfect. I don't want to be. And I don't care that other people aren't perfect. I feel sad that so many others are blinded by this. Life really is too short.
I like the way we are. We're diverse, interesting, and yes, beautiful in our own ways. Kids are cute, adults look fine, and older people and people who aren't in the best shape really don't look that much different naked than with their clothes on. Everyone looks like people.
I like seeing black people, gay people, Asian people, old people, out of shape people. In short, I like being human. I like the variety. I like being me and I like you being you.
I'm not perfect. I don't want to be. And I don't care that other people aren't perfect. I feel sad that so many others are blinded by this. Life really is too short.
Sunsport Gardens and the Florida Young Naturists "End of Summer" bash.
I don't get out on weekends to nude beaches and nudist resorts nearly as often as I used to, but I found myself "home alone" this weekend with my wife away visiting our daughter (out of state grad school). I haven't been to Sunsport Gardens near West Palm Beach for ages, so I thought I'd give it a try. Bad news number one was a 50 percent chance of rain (it was sunny until after dinner), and bad news (maybe) number two was that while checking their web site to see if there was anything going on this weekend, I noticed that a group called the Florida Young Naturists was having an "End of Summer" bash there.
Sunsport has a soft spot in my heart. Two other resorts (Cypress Cove and Sunnier Palms) are closer and I usually go to one of them if I don't have a lot of time. But 30 years ago in my early 20's (do the math), I had visited several nude beaches, loved it, and I decided to try a nudist resort or club environment. The problem was I was at the time young, single, and male. This was "pre-Internet" so I called several places and I was told by most that I wasn't welcome.
Except at Sunsport. The owner and founder, Hugo, answered my call and told me to come and that I'd be welcome. And I was. The place had, and has, a lot of character with friendly people in a natural south Florida setting. I went on to become affiliated with several groups and eventually visited many other clubs. But from time to time, I continued to visit Sunsport.
Fast forward... I knew that Sunsport hosted the mid-winter festival, various conventions, youth camps, and the like. And I had seen a reference to the Florida Young Naturists before, but I really didn't know anything about them. I figured I'd go to Sunsport anyway, figuring that there was room enough for everyone. There often was often a good mix of ages, races, and professions at Sunsport, which always made it special.
Oh my God, did those kids know how to have a good time! Friday was free for everyone. They set up camp and sat around the drum circle. Some apparently drank a bit much, and they probably got a bit loud well into the wee hours. But isn't that what you called a good time when you where their age? I arrived early on Saturday. Even so, many of them were already out and about by then.
FYN members ages 18-30 had free camping over the entire weekend and the weekend ground fees (wristband) was only $11! Plus there was reasonable cost food available breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And on Sunday, they were going to visit Haulover (the excellent nude beach run by Dade County north of Miami Beach).
They had live music from different bands. Which was interesting talking to the band members in the pool with them naked for the first time about what they expected. And they had this huge blow up water slide. And I mean HUGE. So fast that when you hit the end, you end up flying up and flipping around. Yes, I did it several times, with a smile on my face each time afterwards. Fortunately, I didn't break anything.
They played volleyball and body painted each other all afternoon. They did Yoga. They even talked with the old people (including me). They were from several states, not just Florida, just for this event. They had a Spring event at Sunsport which most of them had attended, so this was a natural follow-up.
When I asked how they knew of the organization(FYN) and the event, the answer was friends and Facebook. Many came on their own, not knowing anyone. We've come a long way from ordering books and making embarrassing phone calls.
I had a wonderful time just being around them. There must have been 50+ attending. If you're in the 18 to 30 range or close to it... Join this group! They had so much fun and were so much fun to be around. I didn't see anyone who was drunk and disorderly. Many were first timers and might not have know better. Even so, there was nothing sexual about it and there was no such tension in the air. There were many families attending. Lots of kids enjoying themselves with happy parents.
Would I want my kids, a son and daughter both in that age group, to associate with that group? Hell yes! Yeah, my kids aren't into it even though they know that I am. I can only hope that someday, they'll at least consider it.
Sunsport has a soft spot in my heart. Two other resorts (Cypress Cove and Sunnier Palms) are closer and I usually go to one of them if I don't have a lot of time. But 30 years ago in my early 20's (do the math), I had visited several nude beaches, loved it, and I decided to try a nudist resort or club environment. The problem was I was at the time young, single, and male. This was "pre-Internet" so I called several places and I was told by most that I wasn't welcome.
Except at Sunsport. The owner and founder, Hugo, answered my call and told me to come and that I'd be welcome. And I was. The place had, and has, a lot of character with friendly people in a natural south Florida setting. I went on to become affiliated with several groups and eventually visited many other clubs. But from time to time, I continued to visit Sunsport.
Fast forward... I knew that Sunsport hosted the mid-winter festival, various conventions, youth camps, and the like. And I had seen a reference to the Florida Young Naturists before, but I really didn't know anything about them. I figured I'd go to Sunsport anyway, figuring that there was room enough for everyone. There often was often a good mix of ages, races, and professions at Sunsport, which always made it special.
Oh my God, did those kids know how to have a good time! Friday was free for everyone. They set up camp and sat around the drum circle. Some apparently drank a bit much, and they probably got a bit loud well into the wee hours. But isn't that what you called a good time when you where their age? I arrived early on Saturday. Even so, many of them were already out and about by then.
FYN members ages 18-30 had free camping over the entire weekend and the weekend ground fees (wristband) was only $11! Plus there was reasonable cost food available breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And on Sunday, they were going to visit Haulover (the excellent nude beach run by Dade County north of Miami Beach).
They had live music from different bands. Which was interesting talking to the band members in the pool with them naked for the first time about what they expected. And they had this huge blow up water slide. And I mean HUGE. So fast that when you hit the end, you end up flying up and flipping around. Yes, I did it several times, with a smile on my face each time afterwards. Fortunately, I didn't break anything.
They played volleyball and body painted each other all afternoon. They did Yoga. They even talked with the old people (including me). They were from several states, not just Florida, just for this event. They had a Spring event at Sunsport which most of them had attended, so this was a natural follow-up.
When I asked how they knew of the organization(FYN) and the event, the answer was friends and Facebook. Many came on their own, not knowing anyone. We've come a long way from ordering books and making embarrassing phone calls.
I had a wonderful time just being around them. There must have been 50+ attending. If you're in the 18 to 30 range or close to it... Join this group! They had so much fun and were so much fun to be around. I didn't see anyone who was drunk and disorderly. Many were first timers and might not have know better. Even so, there was nothing sexual about it and there was no such tension in the air. There were many families attending. Lots of kids enjoying themselves with happy parents.
Would I want my kids, a son and daughter both in that age group, to associate with that group? Hell yes! Yeah, my kids aren't into it even though they know that I am. I can only hope that someday, they'll at least consider it.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Nude Beaches
Nude Beaches are strange and wonderful places. Mythical to people who have never been to one, but mentioned often enough in the media and in hush tones by people who have heard something about them (but would never go there themselves, mind you!).
I'm here to tell you that yes Virginia, they do exist. In many countries, a large percentage of public beaches have clothing optional sections, or are simply just mixed. In some places, nude use is allowed except where it's posted that it isn't. Otherwise, relax, get comfortable, and enjoy.
Here in the US, it's a mixed bag. "Officially" the culture is wary to even hostile to them. But in many places, the locals take a live and let live attitude, sometimes even defending the beaches. In some states, counties, and communities, it's technically illegal to be naked in public. But even in many of those places, the authorities often just look the other way as it's just too much trouble to police them. In other areas, they're technically legal and they're often accepted by the majority of people in the area.
Most are in out of the way primitive areas. Lousy parking, long walks, no facilities, no water. If you don't know where to go, you're not going to find them. Out of sight, out of mind as far as the locals and the authorities are concerned. Others are well known and not at all difficult to get to. For others, just follow the signs (by name, not by reference to them being nude beaches). One, Haulover Beach north of Miami Beach, is right off the main drag, has food vendors, police patrol, lifeguards, and hotels within walking distance. All the amenities you'd expect for a county run park, without a large and official clothing optional section (where most the people go, of course).
Some of the smaller ones aren't that friendly (I'll leave you alone and you leave me alone). But most of the larger ones have a core of regulars who are usually friendly and are easy to approach. As with any beach, the vibe varies depending on the mix of people there and how accepted the beach is. Wreck Beach on the outskirts of the University of British Columbia (Canada) has a festive college crowd, wild scenery, and in short, is wonderful. Mazo Beach (Wisconsin) is my favorite. Many college kids, but also long tradition of use by people and families from all over the state. Along a nice river and the people I've met there are very friendly and fun loving.
I live near the Canaveral National Seashore in central Florida. The southern half is in a county with an anti-nudity ordinance (not enforced much), and the northern half is in a county that doesn't have an ordinance. In either county, if you stay in the unofficial clothing optional section, they'll leave you alone. Some years ago in the southern county (Brevard) the supervisor of the park had it out for the nudies and tried to make us feel very unwelcome. I tried to strike up a conversation with a ranger there one time and he wouldn't even face me, saying only that he'd answer my question after I got dressed.
But on the north side I was there one time when a young ranger intern approached me. She must have drawn the short straw and was not at all comfortable being there. She had the unpopular task to clear the beach due to an approaching hurricane (several days out) of hundreds of naked people who weren't going to be happy to be told that they had to leave.
I had a nice chat with her trying to put her mind at ease, then I told her that I would help. I went up and down the beach explaining to everyone the unpopular order, pointing to her at a distance without dragging her into it. Everyone left, and I got the feeling that the ranger left leave her internship there with fond memories and a better understanding that yes, we are people too.
If you spend much time some of the better beaches, you'll see a lot of magic. Church groups canoeing by, then turning around to play several games of volleyball with the naked people (Mazo). Long naked hikes on endless miles of undeveloped beach, smiling and waving at clothed people passing by on horseback (Canaveral). Listening to an elderly couple trying it for the first time, overhearing them say that they hadn't felt that young in years and how wonderful it was there (Haulover). Kids playing. People surfing. People fishing. Gays, straights, young, old, regulars, and first timers. Everyone having a great time.
It is what you make of it. Smile, be friendly, help others. Make some magic.
I'm here to tell you that yes Virginia, they do exist. In many countries, a large percentage of public beaches have clothing optional sections, or are simply just mixed. In some places, nude use is allowed except where it's posted that it isn't. Otherwise, relax, get comfortable, and enjoy.
Here in the US, it's a mixed bag. "Officially" the culture is wary to even hostile to them. But in many places, the locals take a live and let live attitude, sometimes even defending the beaches. In some states, counties, and communities, it's technically illegal to be naked in public. But even in many of those places, the authorities often just look the other way as it's just too much trouble to police them. In other areas, they're technically legal and they're often accepted by the majority of people in the area.
Most are in out of the way primitive areas. Lousy parking, long walks, no facilities, no water. If you don't know where to go, you're not going to find them. Out of sight, out of mind as far as the locals and the authorities are concerned. Others are well known and not at all difficult to get to. For others, just follow the signs (by name, not by reference to them being nude beaches). One, Haulover Beach north of Miami Beach, is right off the main drag, has food vendors, police patrol, lifeguards, and hotels within walking distance. All the amenities you'd expect for a county run park, without a large and official clothing optional section (where most the people go, of course).
Some of the smaller ones aren't that friendly (I'll leave you alone and you leave me alone). But most of the larger ones have a core of regulars who are usually friendly and are easy to approach. As with any beach, the vibe varies depending on the mix of people there and how accepted the beach is. Wreck Beach on the outskirts of the University of British Columbia (Canada) has a festive college crowd, wild scenery, and in short, is wonderful. Mazo Beach (Wisconsin) is my favorite. Many college kids, but also long tradition of use by people and families from all over the state. Along a nice river and the people I've met there are very friendly and fun loving.
I live near the Canaveral National Seashore in central Florida. The southern half is in a county with an anti-nudity ordinance (not enforced much), and the northern half is in a county that doesn't have an ordinance. In either county, if you stay in the unofficial clothing optional section, they'll leave you alone. Some years ago in the southern county (Brevard) the supervisor of the park had it out for the nudies and tried to make us feel very unwelcome. I tried to strike up a conversation with a ranger there one time and he wouldn't even face me, saying only that he'd answer my question after I got dressed.
But on the north side I was there one time when a young ranger intern approached me. She must have drawn the short straw and was not at all comfortable being there. She had the unpopular task to clear the beach due to an approaching hurricane (several days out) of hundreds of naked people who weren't going to be happy to be told that they had to leave.
I had a nice chat with her trying to put her mind at ease, then I told her that I would help. I went up and down the beach explaining to everyone the unpopular order, pointing to her at a distance without dragging her into it. Everyone left, and I got the feeling that the ranger left leave her internship there with fond memories and a better understanding that yes, we are people too.
If you spend much time some of the better beaches, you'll see a lot of magic. Church groups canoeing by, then turning around to play several games of volleyball with the naked people (Mazo). Long naked hikes on endless miles of undeveloped beach, smiling and waving at clothed people passing by on horseback (Canaveral). Listening to an elderly couple trying it for the first time, overhearing them say that they hadn't felt that young in years and how wonderful it was there (Haulover). Kids playing. People surfing. People fishing. Gays, straights, young, old, regulars, and first timers. Everyone having a great time.
It is what you make of it. Smile, be friendly, help others. Make some magic.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Answering Questions
This blog is an offshoot of my answering questions about nudism and nudity on Yahoo Answers (answers.yahoo.com) under this same identity (rick407). When I got interested in nudism in my early 20's, I dived right in trying to find out everything I could about it: Surfing the web, buying books, visiting different nude beaches and resorts, joining local and national organizations, and visiting different forums on the Internet.
I soon realized that I could no longer see things from the average outsider's point of view. Perhaps my perspective was already tainted before I even became involved. Growing up, my family wasn't overly casual about nudity, but they weren't all that ashamed of it either. And I had the example of my cousin raising his son in a nudist family. My very first visit to a nude beach on a dare to myself (Black's Beach near San Diego) both satisfied my curiosities, and opened my eyes to how wrong our culture was about it.
Chatting at forums, clubs, and beaches became like preaching to the choir. For the most part, we all have the same attitude about it, though on just about every other subject, we differ. So I began to wonder, what does the "average" person think about it?
I keep my ears open and see plenty of curious interest in the media, and even some mention it from others who don't know I'm a nudist. I listen carefully, trying not to bias the discussion with my own views so I can see where they'll go with it. From that, my impression is that most people are curious and really aren't all that offended by nudity, though around others they'll at least pretend to be to offended reinforce what they believe to be the social norm. All of which makes the social norm seem more rigid that it probably really is among individuals.
My continued curiosity of "what do people really think" lead me to start answering questions on these subjects on Yahoo Answers. It's been pretty interesting. The younger the questioner, the more honest and innocent the questions. They tend to fall into the following categories:
Sleeping Naked: Mostly asked by younger people who are sharing a room (siblings, dorm room mates, etc.), or from those who don't feel they have enough privacy to get away with it (parents or siblings coming into the room at the wrong times).
I used to share a bedroom with my younger brother and transient nudity (changing) was no big deal. Honestly, the idea of sleeping nude hardly ever crossed my mind, but if it had, I would have had no problem with stripping as if to change and just jumping into bed that way. I don't think my brother would have thought it to be that odd, nor would my parents if they noticed it. But I understand that a lot of the people writing about it are anxious about it, though I doubt their siblings or parents would really care all that much if the slept that way.
Nudity being pornographic: Some people can't get the association between not wearing clothing and sex out of their heads. Especially thorny to many people is childhood nudity and pedophiles. Nudity by itself isn't erotic, and even a die hard pedophile would probably get bored with it after a while.
Someone saw me naked: Guess what. No matter how careful people are, someday they're going to be seen naked by accident, and there will be times when they'll see others that way. Get over it. That's what our species looks like. You're not that special, and neither are they.
Erections: Groan... So many people assume that the environment will be arousing, when it's not. OK, when too anxious and while asleep, it can happen. I don't think most of us care, as long as the person isn't trying to sport it and make an issue of why they should be removed.
Kid's being naked: Naked is our natural state. The younger the kid is, the less likely they've been fully conditioned to the cultural norm and the more likely they'd rather just run around naked whenever they can get away with it. There's something to be learned there.
Understanding other people's comfort with it (nudists and just people who are more casual about it than most people expect). I try to turn it around and have the person try to see themselves as the one with the problem.
Questions of what the Bible or religion says about it. I put my own understanding out there, but point to what others who've studied the subject say.
Lots of other random questions handled by myself and other nudists. Some of the other people answering questions are recognized from other venues (club leaders, owners, or spokesmen). But some are just nudists like myself putting in their two cents worth. Often their answers are so much better than mine, or exactly what I would have said, that I either give them a thumb's up vote and move along. Or I reinforce their view and show solidarity with their answers. Either way, there's good people out there trying to educate the sometimes uneducatable.
I soon realized that I could no longer see things from the average outsider's point of view. Perhaps my perspective was already tainted before I even became involved. Growing up, my family wasn't overly casual about nudity, but they weren't all that ashamed of it either. And I had the example of my cousin raising his son in a nudist family. My very first visit to a nude beach on a dare to myself (Black's Beach near San Diego) both satisfied my curiosities, and opened my eyes to how wrong our culture was about it.
Chatting at forums, clubs, and beaches became like preaching to the choir. For the most part, we all have the same attitude about it, though on just about every other subject, we differ. So I began to wonder, what does the "average" person think about it?
I keep my ears open and see plenty of curious interest in the media, and even some mention it from others who don't know I'm a nudist. I listen carefully, trying not to bias the discussion with my own views so I can see where they'll go with it. From that, my impression is that most people are curious and really aren't all that offended by nudity, though around others they'll at least pretend to be to offended reinforce what they believe to be the social norm. All of which makes the social norm seem more rigid that it probably really is among individuals.
My continued curiosity of "what do people really think" lead me to start answering questions on these subjects on Yahoo Answers. It's been pretty interesting. The younger the questioner, the more honest and innocent the questions. They tend to fall into the following categories:
Sleeping Naked: Mostly asked by younger people who are sharing a room (siblings, dorm room mates, etc.), or from those who don't feel they have enough privacy to get away with it (parents or siblings coming into the room at the wrong times).
I used to share a bedroom with my younger brother and transient nudity (changing) was no big deal. Honestly, the idea of sleeping nude hardly ever crossed my mind, but if it had, I would have had no problem with stripping as if to change and just jumping into bed that way. I don't think my brother would have thought it to be that odd, nor would my parents if they noticed it. But I understand that a lot of the people writing about it are anxious about it, though I doubt their siblings or parents would really care all that much if the slept that way.
Nudity being pornographic: Some people can't get the association between not wearing clothing and sex out of their heads. Especially thorny to many people is childhood nudity and pedophiles. Nudity by itself isn't erotic, and even a die hard pedophile would probably get bored with it after a while.
Someone saw me naked: Guess what. No matter how careful people are, someday they're going to be seen naked by accident, and there will be times when they'll see others that way. Get over it. That's what our species looks like. You're not that special, and neither are they.
Erections: Groan... So many people assume that the environment will be arousing, when it's not. OK, when too anxious and while asleep, it can happen. I don't think most of us care, as long as the person isn't trying to sport it and make an issue of why they should be removed.
Kid's being naked: Naked is our natural state. The younger the kid is, the less likely they've been fully conditioned to the cultural norm and the more likely they'd rather just run around naked whenever they can get away with it. There's something to be learned there.
Understanding other people's comfort with it (nudists and just people who are more casual about it than most people expect). I try to turn it around and have the person try to see themselves as the one with the problem.
Questions of what the Bible or religion says about it. I put my own understanding out there, but point to what others who've studied the subject say.
Lots of other random questions handled by myself and other nudists. Some of the other people answering questions are recognized from other venues (club leaders, owners, or spokesmen). But some are just nudists like myself putting in their two cents worth. Often their answers are so much better than mine, or exactly what I would have said, that I either give them a thumb's up vote and move along. Or I reinforce their view and show solidarity with their answers. Either way, there's good people out there trying to educate the sometimes uneducatable.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Home Nudity
I find it strange that most people seem to stay uncomfortably clothed, even when they don't have to. They'll take the shoes off at the drop of a hat, but even when no one's around, they's keep themselves wrapped up.
Others, like myself, like to get into something more comfortable when we get home, and if it's warm inside the house, being naked is as comfortable as one can be. It doesn't have to be the first thing I do when I get inside the house. I'm not compulsively nude. If I know I have to leave the house later, I usually don't bother and stay clothed. But I'm also not compulsively clothed either. If I come home and take a shower, I'll stay nude until I need to get dressed to go to work the next day.
My wife sometimes just tolerates my being naked so often, but I encourage her to be naked as often as she can, if for no other reason but to find complete acceptance from myself, whenever or however she's dressed, or not.
We have a private back yard, pool, and hot tub, so that little bit of outdoors is an extension of our private space. I love to sit out there in the sun or hot tub, and swim back in forth for exercise. Being out there really is more enjoyable to be naked doing so.
None of that was a secret from the kids. They prefer that we not be naked around them, but understand that they are welcome and encouraged to be naked on their own when we're not around. The kids are grown now, and I hope they take the liberty to enjoy their home as we have ours.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
What should you do if someone sees you when you are naked?
Nothing. Do absolutely nothing different than you would do if you were clothed. Normally, it goes like this... They see you and realize that you're not wearing anything. Until they know that you see them, their initial reaction is just one of curiosity. Why is that person naked? Should I leave before that person sees me and is distressed. Then you see them and behave in a distressed manner. They see your distress and either are distressed themselves for being in that situation, are distressed for you, or in some cases, delight in your distress and attempt to further it.
It works out much better for both of you if they see that you see them, and you make it obvious that you don't care. That leaves them with the curiosity and maybe some worry that you might be weird, but if you don't act weird, it puts them at ease. Continue doing what you were doing, showing that it doesn't bother you in the least that you're naked or that they are seeing you naked.
This works great when you're caught skinny-dipping or camping in a remote area which turned out to not be remote enough. If you're in an area where nudity is technically not illegal, you aren't doing anything wrong and you should behave as if you have a right to be there in the nude. If you're not supposed to be nude there, appear harmless and oblivious to your nudity, hoping for ignorance on their part, or at least some forgiveness. Besides, if you're out in a remote area, it's too much trouble for them to report you, and by then you could be long gone.
Smile, wave, and go about your business. You'll be surprised at how many people just smile, wave back, and continue on.
It works out much better for both of you if they see that you see them, and you make it obvious that you don't care. That leaves them with the curiosity and maybe some worry that you might be weird, but if you don't act weird, it puts them at ease. Continue doing what you were doing, showing that it doesn't bother you in the least that you're naked or that they are seeing you naked.
This works great when you're caught skinny-dipping or camping in a remote area which turned out to not be remote enough. If you're in an area where nudity is technically not illegal, you aren't doing anything wrong and you should behave as if you have a right to be there in the nude. If you're not supposed to be nude there, appear harmless and oblivious to your nudity, hoping for ignorance on their part, or at least some forgiveness. Besides, if you're out in a remote area, it's too much trouble for them to report you, and by then you could be long gone.
Smile, wave, and go about your business. You'll be surprised at how many people just smile, wave back, and continue on.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Nudist or Naturist? Naked or Nude?
Let me understand this correctly. The only difference between me and others is that I'm NOT screwed up about what humans look like, and I get a label? The only reason I even bother identifying with either label is that there isn't a simple way otherwise to say that I'm not compulsive about wearing clothing when I don't have to, I actually like being what I am, and I'm more than happy for others feel and be the same way.
Here in the US, being a "nudist" is more recognized term, even though most people assume that nudists are more compulsive about being nude than they are about being clothed, and that their compulsiveness about it is at the very least borderline weird. When in fact viewed objectively, it's the other way around. The term "Naturist" sounds more like "Naturalist", or someone who enjoys nature and the outdoors, which is very true of me. But this has nothing to do whether I'd prefer to be naked or not even when I'm not outdoors.
Most the time, I prefer "naked" over "nude". It has an edgier rebellious sound to it that I like, as in the trademarks "Naked Juice", "Naked Science", "Naked Brother's Band", or "Bare Naked Ladies". "Nude implies just another boring choice of how one dresses, implying "boring" or "plain" (as in nude lipstick).
To some people, the word "naked" implies being vulnerable. I personally find this strange and don't feel any more or less vulnerable when I'm naked, than when I'm dressed. My wife's residual weirdness about this shows up when I hear a noise in the house and don't bother to dress when I go investigate. If there's an intruder, I'm not supposed to offend him or have worry about appearing vulnerable just because I'm not wearing something? As if shorts and a T-shirt would make a difference? Yeah, I hope he's offended and a bit put off, if not by my being naked, because of the loaded gun I've got pointed at him.
Here in the US, being a "nudist" is more recognized term, even though most people assume that nudists are more compulsive about being nude than they are about being clothed, and that their compulsiveness about it is at the very least borderline weird. When in fact viewed objectively, it's the other way around. The term "Naturist" sounds more like "Naturalist", or someone who enjoys nature and the outdoors, which is very true of me. But this has nothing to do whether I'd prefer to be naked or not even when I'm not outdoors.
Most the time, I prefer "naked" over "nude". It has an edgier rebellious sound to it that I like, as in the trademarks "Naked Juice", "Naked Science", "Naked Brother's Band", or "Bare Naked Ladies". "Nude implies just another boring choice of how one dresses, implying "boring" or "plain" (as in nude lipstick).
To some people, the word "naked" implies being vulnerable. I personally find this strange and don't feel any more or less vulnerable when I'm naked, than when I'm dressed. My wife's residual weirdness about this shows up when I hear a noise in the house and don't bother to dress when I go investigate. If there's an intruder, I'm not supposed to offend him or have worry about appearing vulnerable just because I'm not wearing something? As if shorts and a T-shirt would make a difference? Yeah, I hope he's offended and a bit put off, if not by my being naked, because of the loaded gun I've got pointed at him.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
On Being Seen from Airplanes
When I first tried sunbathing naked in a remote location, it bothered me when an airplane would fly overhead. Could they see me? Could they tell I was naked? Worrying about such things is a distraction to enjoying oneself in remote locations, nude beaches, nude resorts, or even in one's own back yard.
As an active private pilot, I have a unique perspective on this. I've flown over many of the nudist resorts and nude beaches I've been to here in Florida at the minimum legal altitudes allowed, so I can safely say, the answer is no! Even if you know where to look and what you're looking for, you can't tell if the people you can see below are clothed or not. To get the same effect, go to Google Earth, ask it to find a nudist resort (yeah, it will), and go zoom down to about 1000 feet above and try to make out if the people are naked or not. Yes, you can tell they're people, but you can't make out what or if they're wearing anything.
If, by some chance, an airplane or helicopter is low enough to tell what you're wearing, as if they don't have other things to be looking out for when they're that low with the ground so rapidly going by, they can get in real big trouble for being that low. If you can read their "N" number without binoculars, Google it, look up who owns the airplane, report them to the FAA and their employer, and you can easily get them fired or their license suspended.
Besides, YOU'RE not doing anything wrong! They are if they're that low. Yes, the police can fly low if they have reason to, but their chief is not going to take lightly a call from a citizen complaining that they're being gawked at from the air.
So... If an airplane keeps buzzing by low, reach for binoculars. If they can see that you're naked, they can see that you're looking through something and they'll know they're in big big trouble. Otherwise, simile, wave, moon them, or shoot them the bird. Or just ignore them altogether. Very likely, even if they are too low, they'll never see you, and you shouldn't care.
As an active private pilot, I have a unique perspective on this. I've flown over many of the nudist resorts and nude beaches I've been to here in Florida at the minimum legal altitudes allowed, so I can safely say, the answer is no! Even if you know where to look and what you're looking for, you can't tell if the people you can see below are clothed or not. To get the same effect, go to Google Earth, ask it to find a nudist resort (yeah, it will), and go zoom down to about 1000 feet above and try to make out if the people are naked or not. Yes, you can tell they're people, but you can't make out what or if they're wearing anything.
If, by some chance, an airplane or helicopter is low enough to tell what you're wearing, as if they don't have other things to be looking out for when they're that low with the ground so rapidly going by, they can get in real big trouble for being that low. If you can read their "N" number without binoculars, Google it, look up who owns the airplane, report them to the FAA and their employer, and you can easily get them fired or their license suspended.
Besides, YOU'RE not doing anything wrong! They are if they're that low. Yes, the police can fly low if they have reason to, but their chief is not going to take lightly a call from a citizen complaining that they're being gawked at from the air.
So... If an airplane keeps buzzing by low, reach for binoculars. If they can see that you're naked, they can see that you're looking through something and they'll know they're in big big trouble. Otherwise, simile, wave, moon them, or shoot them the bird. Or just ignore them altogether. Very likely, even if they are too low, they'll never see you, and you shouldn't care.
"Lifestyle" People (Swingers)
I've pretty shameless about my sexuality. I didn't used to be, but I've learned over the years that being ashamed of that gift is both wasteful and ungrateful to my maker, and unfair to my partner. I suppose if sexual activity was a required form of casual social interaction (as with Bonobo chimps), I could do it. But I wouldn't want to.
My wife is the only one I want that deeply into my body and into my head, and I have a lot invested reaching into her head and learning about her sexuality and her body. I claw away at her fears and inhibitions trying to set her sexuality free, while freely sharing my sexuality with her for her exploration and amusement. I'd would much rather stay totally committed to her and the kids, than to have other people involved, picking us apart.
That said, those people exist. To me it seems emotionally shallow and sexually degrading. Promiscuous people will continue to evolve and spread nasty diseases, have small or no families, and pass on their shallowness and lack of commitment to what kids they do have. And as a people, we'll continue to be worse off for it.
Unfortunately, there are enough of them out there that they overlap with the majority of nudists like me who don't want to have anything to do with them. The overlap of two such unrelated interests is evident only because of the accepting environment of social nudism. They are open about it with us more than in open society because we're more accepting.
Simply put, I don't like their vibe. They bring a sexual tension to an environment that most of us are trying to escape from. They're erotic with what they do wear and with how they don't wear things. And their solicitations are most unwelcome.
There are clubs out there which cater to them. Personally, I don't know where they are and I'm not interested in finding out. To them, being nude is simply a means to an end. It's too plain for them, so they spend most of their time erotically dressed. I'm fine with that. Let them have places where they can screw themselves silly.
In the US, clubs affiliated with AANR are supposed to not allow this behavior to be openly displayed in their clubs. Several clubs have lost their affiliation because of this, and many of them have gone to the "dark side" hosting swingers groups. I suppose it brings in more money. Good luck and good riddance.
At other affiliated clubs it goes on, but they're more subtle about it. If they are so subtle about it that I can't tell it's going on, I don't have a problem with it. But otherwise, I avoid such places like the plague. That behavior totally destroys what I'm there for.
I have the same problem with some clothing optional clubs. When the clothing people there are wearing is provocative, I get turned off and go elsewhere. It's a shame, because a clothing optional venue is a great way to help people ease into nudism without having to commit. But if it sets up a tense environment, it will scare the kind of people I like away. That's probably why I prefer clubs where nudity is expected and beaches where everyone is nude.
To each their own.... Somewhere else please. We have so few really good places to go as it is.
My wife is the only one I want that deeply into my body and into my head, and I have a lot invested reaching into her head and learning about her sexuality and her body. I claw away at her fears and inhibitions trying to set her sexuality free, while freely sharing my sexuality with her for her exploration and amusement. I'd would much rather stay totally committed to her and the kids, than to have other people involved, picking us apart.
That said, those people exist. To me it seems emotionally shallow and sexually degrading. Promiscuous people will continue to evolve and spread nasty diseases, have small or no families, and pass on their shallowness and lack of commitment to what kids they do have. And as a people, we'll continue to be worse off for it.
Unfortunately, there are enough of them out there that they overlap with the majority of nudists like me who don't want to have anything to do with them. The overlap of two such unrelated interests is evident only because of the accepting environment of social nudism. They are open about it with us more than in open society because we're more accepting.
Simply put, I don't like their vibe. They bring a sexual tension to an environment that most of us are trying to escape from. They're erotic with what they do wear and with how they don't wear things. And their solicitations are most unwelcome.
There are clubs out there which cater to them. Personally, I don't know where they are and I'm not interested in finding out. To them, being nude is simply a means to an end. It's too plain for them, so they spend most of their time erotically dressed. I'm fine with that. Let them have places where they can screw themselves silly.
In the US, clubs affiliated with AANR are supposed to not allow this behavior to be openly displayed in their clubs. Several clubs have lost their affiliation because of this, and many of them have gone to the "dark side" hosting swingers groups. I suppose it brings in more money. Good luck and good riddance.
At other affiliated clubs it goes on, but they're more subtle about it. If they are so subtle about it that I can't tell it's going on, I don't have a problem with it. But otherwise, I avoid such places like the plague. That behavior totally destroys what I'm there for.
I have the same problem with some clothing optional clubs. When the clothing people there are wearing is provocative, I get turned off and go elsewhere. It's a shame, because a clothing optional venue is a great way to help people ease into nudism without having to commit. But if it sets up a tense environment, it will scare the kind of people I like away. That's probably why I prefer clubs where nudity is expected and beaches where everyone is nude.
To each their own.... Somewhere else please. We have so few really good places to go as it is.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Freeing the Youth
Why is it that most nudists are middle aged or older? Several reasons... Their kids are more often out of the house and they have more time and money. But I think the bigger reason is that as you get older, you're less likely to accept stupidities in the culture which don't make sense and are often destructive (discrimination, barriers of class or position, etc.). And you're looking for a little diversity in your life. Maybe you travel more or make friends with someone from outside your cultural or religious background.
That's not to say that many young adults aren't open-minded. But they are less self-confident about doing things which might not be accepted by their peers or "superiors". That said, when nude beaches are available near colleges, you'll often find them dominated by students and faculty. Often a travel club will form in the area where a good percentage of the members are young adults. Such is the case near Wreck Beach near Vancouver and Mazo Beach in Wisconsin. And at some clubs, you'll find more young adults and young families, then at other clubs. Encourage them to travel to Europe and Australia, and they'll see how much more closed minded Americans are about nudity.
What can be done to prevent the youth from being so close minded (clothing compulsive)? As a culture, let's bring back the open showers in school and have the kids use them as they should....naked. It builds self-confidence and acceptance that the kids lack these days. Have more beaches and public lands where people know they have the option to not have to wear clothing if they don't want to. Encourage more festivals like Burning Man, where you can be naked the whole time if you want to be. Do so while attending them, and encourage others to do likewise.
Start travel clubs near college towns and actively recruit at the colleges. Hold info sessions, both on and off campus. Fight to have nudism and body-freedom be acceptable topics for student social life. Campgrounds and resorts near such places should advertise heavily and offer student discounts. Offer a free weekend for selected student organizations to come and see what it's all about. The majority of students should know at least that your organization exists and that it's worthy of consideration.
The internet does a good job of communicating and raising awareness, but nothing beats someone talking to a real person at a short info session, answering real questions, as they come up.
I came to it by self-discovery and curiosity in my teen years, and I started to explore what it was about soon after getting out of college. We can continue to dream about changing the culture, but we really do need to offer alternatives to the kids when they are most receptive. In college and in the early adult years before they get set in their ways and being to pass on and intensify the self shaming behavior to the next generation.
That's not to say that many young adults aren't open-minded. But they are less self-confident about doing things which might not be accepted by their peers or "superiors". That said, when nude beaches are available near colleges, you'll often find them dominated by students and faculty. Often a travel club will form in the area where a good percentage of the members are young adults. Such is the case near Wreck Beach near Vancouver and Mazo Beach in Wisconsin. And at some clubs, you'll find more young adults and young families, then at other clubs. Encourage them to travel to Europe and Australia, and they'll see how much more closed minded Americans are about nudity.
What can be done to prevent the youth from being so close minded (clothing compulsive)? As a culture, let's bring back the open showers in school and have the kids use them as they should....naked. It builds self-confidence and acceptance that the kids lack these days. Have more beaches and public lands where people know they have the option to not have to wear clothing if they don't want to. Encourage more festivals like Burning Man, where you can be naked the whole time if you want to be. Do so while attending them, and encourage others to do likewise.
Start travel clubs near college towns and actively recruit at the colleges. Hold info sessions, both on and off campus. Fight to have nudism and body-freedom be acceptable topics for student social life. Campgrounds and resorts near such places should advertise heavily and offer student discounts. Offer a free weekend for selected student organizations to come and see what it's all about. The majority of students should know at least that your organization exists and that it's worthy of consideration.
The internet does a good job of communicating and raising awareness, but nothing beats someone talking to a real person at a short info session, answering real questions, as they come up.
I came to it by self-discovery and curiosity in my teen years, and I started to explore what it was about soon after getting out of college. We can continue to dream about changing the culture, but we really do need to offer alternatives to the kids when they are most receptive. In college and in the early adult years before they get set in their ways and being to pass on and intensify the self shaming behavior to the next generation.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sexually Naked
To most people, their biggest problem with nudity is the culturally conditioned association with sex. For something that we owe our very lives to, we degrade ourselves by degrading our sexuality, treating it in such a negative way. We have kids we don't want and we host, spread, and evolve diseases unique to our sexual activities. It's no wonder people are so uncomfortable about being naked and seeing other people naked. Arousal makes us lose our inhibitions and clothing gets in the way of sexual activity, otherwise, most people would probably never be naked except to bathe alone.
Shedding my inhibitions about nudity helped me shed some of my inhibitions about my own sexuality. I'm now very much at peace with both. I like being naked for my wife as much as I do for myself. As if to say that my body is hers always, and not just when I'm in the mood. And I encourage her to be naked both for her own comfort, and to reinforce to her that I love her just the way she is.
Clothing is an artificial barrier between people. Between what we are, and how we present ourselves to others. It is good and right to hate that barrier. To confidently feel good about oneself, and to seek social environments where others encourage it and challenge you to accept and encourage them as well. Yes, to go that far with strangers takes some guts. But to go that far with friends can be even more difficult. They know that person underneath the skin, and sometimes it's harder to get to know them from the inside out, than from the outside in. There's an awkward physical intimacy one must pass through between the two which is often awkwardly skipped.
But to have that barrier, even unintentionally, with one's spouse is wrong. Your body belongs as much to your spouse, as it does with you. Their imperfections are yours and to not unconditionally accept them as they are, is to not accept yourself as you are. It's easy to be naked for your spouse when you're aroused, and it's nice to not have clothing in the way when you're trying to be physically intimate. But at the very least, you should accept them as they are all the time and not hide your body from them.
Shedding my inhibitions about nudity helped me shed some of my inhibitions about my own sexuality. I'm now very much at peace with both. I like being naked for my wife as much as I do for myself. As if to say that my body is hers always, and not just when I'm in the mood. And I encourage her to be naked both for her own comfort, and to reinforce to her that I love her just the way she is.
Clothing is an artificial barrier between people. Between what we are, and how we present ourselves to others. It is good and right to hate that barrier. To confidently feel good about oneself, and to seek social environments where others encourage it and challenge you to accept and encourage them as well. Yes, to go that far with strangers takes some guts. But to go that far with friends can be even more difficult. They know that person underneath the skin, and sometimes it's harder to get to know them from the inside out, than from the outside in. There's an awkward physical intimacy one must pass through between the two which is often awkwardly skipped.
But to have that barrier, even unintentionally, with one's spouse is wrong. Your body belongs as much to your spouse, as it does with you. Their imperfections are yours and to not unconditionally accept them as they are, is to not accept yourself as you are. It's easy to be naked for your spouse when you're aroused, and it's nice to not have clothing in the way when you're trying to be physically intimate. But at the very least, you should accept them as they are all the time and not hide your body from them.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Raising Naked Kids
I came into a family in progress. My wife did a great job of raising them in the conventional manner before I came along, but they were pretty set in their ways. I had brothers, sisters, and cousins who raised their kids to be more comfortable with nudity than these kids where. But if I could start from scratch, these would be my rules. Use them for ideas yourself (or things to avoid if you disagree).
1) Mom and dad should be seen naked by the kids often enough to understand that it is normal and healthy to be that way in the privacy of one's own home.
2) Behave no differently whether you're naked or clothed. Don't shut them out just because you're naked.
3) As long as they are in the presence of family and out of view of others, they have a right to be naked at home any time they want. Or to be clothed anytime they want.
4) Encourage them by example, not by pressure, to remain naked after bathing, in bed, and until they have to get dressed to leave the house the next day. Better blankets instead of fancy PJs.
5) Take them to nudist resorts early and often and have them see nudity in a healthy social atmosphere. Encourage them to socialize with other kids there.
6) Teach them everything they want to know about sex and the human body, and everything they need to know, whenever they ask, or whenever something needs explaining.
7) Teach them to never be ashamed of being naked, and to immediately report any inappropriate touching or behavior from anyone that makes them uncomfortable. Make them a pedophile's worst nightmare.
8) Teach them that they'll lose the privilege of being naked if they're naked when they shouldn't be. 24 hours of absolutely no nudity other than solo bathing for each offense. Having to wear clothing is punishment when they're older, let them learn that nudity in a society which doesn't openly accept it, is tricky business.
9) Puberty is a time of change and insecurity. They are, of course, free to be clothed, but encourage them to be naked and to accept themselves as they change. Stay naked for them.
10) Teach them from the start that a lot of people aren't comfortable with nudity and to respect that. But that they are not to be ashamed and hide the fact that we feel differently.
11) It would be ideal if we were completely open with everybody about being a nudist family.
12) Create a private back yard. Put in a pool, hot tub, or sauna and use them often nude yourself.
1) Mom and dad should be seen naked by the kids often enough to understand that it is normal and healthy to be that way in the privacy of one's own home.
2) Behave no differently whether you're naked or clothed. Don't shut them out just because you're naked.
3) As long as they are in the presence of family and out of view of others, they have a right to be naked at home any time they want. Or to be clothed anytime they want.
4) Encourage them by example, not by pressure, to remain naked after bathing, in bed, and until they have to get dressed to leave the house the next day. Better blankets instead of fancy PJs.
5) Take them to nudist resorts early and often and have them see nudity in a healthy social atmosphere. Encourage them to socialize with other kids there.
6) Teach them everything they want to know about sex and the human body, and everything they need to know, whenever they ask, or whenever something needs explaining.
7) Teach them to never be ashamed of being naked, and to immediately report any inappropriate touching or behavior from anyone that makes them uncomfortable. Make them a pedophile's worst nightmare.
8) Teach them that they'll lose the privilege of being naked if they're naked when they shouldn't be. 24 hours of absolutely no nudity other than solo bathing for each offense. Having to wear clothing is punishment when they're older, let them learn that nudity in a society which doesn't openly accept it, is tricky business.
9) Puberty is a time of change and insecurity. They are, of course, free to be clothed, but encourage them to be naked and to accept themselves as they change. Stay naked for them.
10) Teach them from the start that a lot of people aren't comfortable with nudity and to respect that. But that they are not to be ashamed and hide the fact that we feel differently.
11) It would be ideal if we were completely open with everybody about being a nudist family.
12) Create a private back yard. Put in a pool, hot tub, or sauna and use them often nude yourself.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Nakey! Nakey! Nakey! (Children Naked)
Everyone starts off in life without any inhibition toward nudity. Preschoolers often go through a phase where they get a taste of being naked, and they really really like it! For a while afterwards, the parent finds themselves running after their kid, trying to put clothes on them. It takes a lot of hard work and patience to condition them that it's "wrong" to be naked around strangers.
I wonder some times why I found it so easy as an adult to free myself of this conditioning, while others are scared to death to even sleep alone nude. I grew up in a conservative, church going, southern middle class family, but my mother, in particular, didn't want us to be ashamed of our bodies or intolerant of other people's bodies.
A good example of how this played out is when our whole family would get together for a holiday with my younger brother and his son, or my younger sister and her daughter. My nephew was particularly adept at picking up vibes from the adults about what annoys them, but what he could still get away with it. He'd sometimes strip and join the family group, reveling in his nakedness ("nakey! nakey! nakey!").
The reaction of the family members was always interesting. Without the least discussion among ourselves, we were fine with it, as if it was an unsaid right that children have a right to be naked at home with family. No one would complain and the kid could play around naked as much as he liked. My thoughts were always "enjoy it while you can kid, you won't get away with it for much longer". My niece was afforded the same luxury, but she took advantage of it much less often.
An older cousin was raising his son in a nudist household. We'd visit them as a family every Sunday after Church when I was a teenager. As a rule, the kid was always naked around the house, and it was always fine with my parents and us that he was.
An older cousin was raising his son in a nudist household. We'd visit them as a family every Sunday after Church when I was a teenager. As a rule, the kid was always naked around the house, and it was always fine with my parents and us that he was.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Gym Naked
There's some strange variability to the tolerance of nudity in gyms, at least here in the US. When I was a kid, showing after PE was not an option and the showers were open affairs. Likewise, in Scouting, the camps had open outdoor showers. I think this was intentional to teach kids not to be ashamed of their bodies, and it was, of course, cheaper to build the facilities that way. Now, it seems kids prefer not to shower at school, and a lot of them have individual shower stalls, so they aren't seen naked by the other kids. Personally, I think the open showers a better idea. At the time I didn't like them, but because you had to use them, you got used to it and soon didn't mind the fact that you've seen all your classmates naked, and they've seen you naked. There was a small amount of teasing, but really not much.
Later in life, you might join a gym to get back into or to stay in shape. There's a strange etiquette in such places. Most men don't seem to have any problem being nude around others for a brief period while changing, but some seem to have no problem going to and from the showers, standing at the sink, or chatting with friends, remaining nude all the time. I'm somewhat in between. I go to and from the shower nude (not wanting to wrap a clean towel around my sweaty body), but keep a towel around me at other times. Even though I'm comfortable being nude around other men, I'm aware of the fact that a lot of other people there are uncomfortable with anything more than brief nudity.
It used to be at the gym I go to that about half the users of the jacuzzi and saunas were nude (same sex only). I preferred it that way. Otherwise, I'd have to bring something to wear, and have something wet and sweaty to take home. But apparently, some complained and now a swim suit is required for both. I still just wear a towel wrapped around me in the sauna and just avoid the jacuzzi.
In other countries, nudity in a sauna is the norm, and mixed nudity amoung friends and family is common in Scandinavian countries. So I suspect the gym etiquette is more relaxed in Europe.
Oh... one final note... Gym and gymnasium are derived from the Greek word Gymnos, meaning naked. This is because athletes practiced, studied, and competed in the nude in ancient Greece and the early Olympics were all done in the nude.
Later in life, you might join a gym to get back into or to stay in shape. There's a strange etiquette in such places. Most men don't seem to have any problem being nude around others for a brief period while changing, but some seem to have no problem going to and from the showers, standing at the sink, or chatting with friends, remaining nude all the time. I'm somewhat in between. I go to and from the shower nude (not wanting to wrap a clean towel around my sweaty body), but keep a towel around me at other times. Even though I'm comfortable being nude around other men, I'm aware of the fact that a lot of other people there are uncomfortable with anything more than brief nudity.
It used to be at the gym I go to that about half the users of the jacuzzi and saunas were nude (same sex only). I preferred it that way. Otherwise, I'd have to bring something to wear, and have something wet and sweaty to take home. But apparently, some complained and now a swim suit is required for both. I still just wear a towel wrapped around me in the sauna and just avoid the jacuzzi.
In other countries, nudity in a sauna is the norm, and mixed nudity amoung friends and family is common in Scandinavian countries. So I suspect the gym etiquette is more relaxed in Europe.
Oh... one final note... Gym and gymnasium are derived from the Greek word Gymnos, meaning naked. This is because athletes practiced, studied, and competed in the nude in ancient Greece and the early Olympics were all done in the nude.
Sunbathing Naked
Depending on your local culture, nude sunbathing varies from being common, at least in private, to being rare to non-existent. When I was a teenager, we wound up with a girl from France for a or week or so. She was an exchange student who had never visited the US before and wasn't familiar with our "particularities". Within a few days, the sunny warm Florida sun was inviting so she decided borrow a beach towel and lay out in the sun out in our back yard.... Naked. I noticed but didn't say anything. But when my mother saw her out there, she went crazy. She ran out waving a towel, screaming. The girl was alarmed and confused by my mothers actions. What do you mean, you can't sunbathe naked in your own back yard? I might add that we didn't have a fence and neighbors from all sides could have easily seen her.
One of my priorities is to maintain the privacy of my back yard, and I enjoy getting some sun back there when I can, and the most comfortable way to do it is to be naked. It's not that I lay out in the sun all day. I know that's not good for you. Rather, I work all week indoors and am often busy on the weekends, so I'm lucky to get any sun, which is kind of silly given how sunny and warm it is here in Florida most of the year. Hence, most of the time I have little or no tan. Certainly less than most people here. But in the summer months when I can get out there for an hour or so at a time, my tan can get pretty dark. My tan so even that you'd think I didn't even have a tan but that it's my natural skin coloring. And personally, I like the evenly colored look. Tan lines seem so garish and artificial, and the sun and wind feel so nice, unbroken across one's skin.
I doubt people even notice that I'm evenly tanned when they see me changing at the gym or when the doctor's checking me out down there. If they do, I hope they wonder and at least for a moment stop to consider what it would be like if they could do likewise.
Swimming Naked (aka "skinny-dipping")
Next to sleeping naked, this is something a lot of people have done at least once. Whether as a practical matter on a hot day in a remote area, or on a dare. I used to go backcountry camping a lot, hiking for days, carrying everything I needed in a backpack. It's hot sweaty work, and going for days without a bath gets old (not to mention, smelly). In many places, there's plenty of opportunities to slip into a lake or stream without anyone else being around. Doing it naked is a matter of practicality... No wet clothing to have to wait around until it's dry. Plus, it's much colder to be in wet clothing, than to be naked. And it's nice to just "air dry" and move on, without carrying anything wet.
On a dare, alone or with others, there's way too much anxiety attached. It's an uncomfortable situation with others around (until you get used to it), and when alone, you're worried that others might see you.
But if you give it a chance, the first thing you notice how nicely you just glide through the water without the drag of wearing a swim suit. And it's really really nice to not have that heavy wet nasty clingy wad of clothing around you when you get out. The water just sheds off you and you dry much quicker and more evenly than if you're wearing something.
We have completely private back yard with a pool and a hot tub. Needless to say, neither my wife or I wear a stitch using them if we can at all help it. It's wonderful to just jump in without having to change into a swim suit or change out of that wet nasty thing each time. All of which makes going for a dip more spontaneous on a hot day or when doing chores. You don't need anything you don't already have, and you dry quickly without any fuss, change back if need be, or just stay naked afterwards, if you can get away with it.
We don't make a big secret of it (we even have a playful sign by the pool to that effect) and anyone is welcome to swim naked in our pool whether we're around, or not.
On a dare, alone or with others, there's way too much anxiety attached. It's an uncomfortable situation with others around (until you get used to it), and when alone, you're worried that others might see you.
But if you give it a chance, the first thing you notice how nicely you just glide through the water without the drag of wearing a swim suit. And it's really really nice to not have that heavy wet nasty clingy wad of clothing around you when you get out. The water just sheds off you and you dry much quicker and more evenly than if you're wearing something.
We have completely private back yard with a pool and a hot tub. Needless to say, neither my wife or I wear a stitch using them if we can at all help it. It's wonderful to just jump in without having to change into a swim suit or change out of that wet nasty thing each time. All of which makes going for a dip more spontaneous on a hot day or when doing chores. You don't need anything you don't already have, and you dry quickly without any fuss, change back if need be, or just stay naked afterwards, if you can get away with it.
We don't make a big secret of it (we even have a playful sign by the pool to that effect) and anyone is welcome to swim naked in our pool whether we're around, or not.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Sleeping Naked
A common question seems to be "Is it OK to sleep naked"? or "do you sleep naked"? I answer those a lot, though sometimes I get tired of answering the same question.
It drives me a nuts that people are so up tight about nudity that they find it a big deal that some people actually sleep in their own beds without wearing any clothing. Long before I become comfortable with nudity, I started to sleep nude. All the time in college, but I sometimes also slept that way at home in high school, not thinking the least about it other than it was more comfortable to sleep that way on a warm night, or any night with enough covers over me. To me, I wasn't naked... I was wearing a sheet and covers over me. And if they did fall off me, big deal. I was alone in my own room.
For me, it's more comfortable because I hate feeling a waistband, and I hate that wearing something binds and twists around oneself. To me the perfect bed has just a down comforter, a practice I noticed is common over in Germany. Not having clothing or other covers allows one's skin to breathe freely through the light and fluffy down, even when it's cold in the room. You sleep fresh, warm, and free of the weight and distraction of coverings.
My wife felt the same way about sleeping naked since about the same time, many years before we met. We have both slept that way ever since.
As to the "issues" people have with it. Is it OK if the kids do it? Exactly what would you be teaching them if you told them that it wasn't? Is it OK to do it if you're a kid and your parent's don't know or might not approve? I can't help you there if they're going to be weird about it. But most likely, even if it's something they don't or wouldn't do themselves, they'll probably be OK with letting you "try it", hoping maybe that it's just a fad you'll grow out of. But they'll probably get used to it after a while anyway, and won't care. It's not that they'll actually have to see you naked if they respect your privacy enough.
Share a bedroom with a sibling? They probably see you naked as much when you change, as when you'd disrobe and climb into bed or when you wake up and dress. What if you do it and a parent wakes you up and finds out? Don't make a big deal of it and they'll likely just give you a bit more privacy afterwards. I had that happen with my step-daughter trying to get her up one morning when she didn't want to get up. Her freaking out and finally telling me that she was naked underneath the covers was all she had to say to have me leave the room and leave her alone. Obviously, I didn't mind, because she knew we always slept that way.
Either way, your kids, your siblings, or your parents probably aren't going to care and will just leave you alone once they know. You won't need to lock your door. The bogeyman isn't going to get you.
What if there's a fire? Just keep a set of shorts and a tee shirt nearby if that bothers you. Personally, if I need to get out that fast because of a fire, I'm not going to care if I exit the house fully dressed, in PJs, with a towel around me, or naked as a jaybird. Your neighbors will at most, just think it's funny.
What if someone breaks into the house? For some reason which I can no longer comprehend, people feel lot more vulnerable nude than clothed. As if their cotton tee shirt is a suit of armor which would stop a knife or bullet any better or worse than skin alone. And am I supposed to embarrassed to be seen naked by someone who broke into my house? I figure the 9mm pointed at his head will give him a lot more to worry about, than the sight of a naked man confronting him.
It drives me a nuts that people are so up tight about nudity that they find it a big deal that some people actually sleep in their own beds without wearing any clothing. Long before I become comfortable with nudity, I started to sleep nude. All the time in college, but I sometimes also slept that way at home in high school, not thinking the least about it other than it was more comfortable to sleep that way on a warm night, or any night with enough covers over me. To me, I wasn't naked... I was wearing a sheet and covers over me. And if they did fall off me, big deal. I was alone in my own room.
For me, it's more comfortable because I hate feeling a waistband, and I hate that wearing something binds and twists around oneself. To me the perfect bed has just a down comforter, a practice I noticed is common over in Germany. Not having clothing or other covers allows one's skin to breathe freely through the light and fluffy down, even when it's cold in the room. You sleep fresh, warm, and free of the weight and distraction of coverings.
My wife felt the same way about sleeping naked since about the same time, many years before we met. We have both slept that way ever since.
As to the "issues" people have with it. Is it OK if the kids do it? Exactly what would you be teaching them if you told them that it wasn't? Is it OK to do it if you're a kid and your parent's don't know or might not approve? I can't help you there if they're going to be weird about it. But most likely, even if it's something they don't or wouldn't do themselves, they'll probably be OK with letting you "try it", hoping maybe that it's just a fad you'll grow out of. But they'll probably get used to it after a while anyway, and won't care. It's not that they'll actually have to see you naked if they respect your privacy enough.
Share a bedroom with a sibling? They probably see you naked as much when you change, as when you'd disrobe and climb into bed or when you wake up and dress. What if you do it and a parent wakes you up and finds out? Don't make a big deal of it and they'll likely just give you a bit more privacy afterwards. I had that happen with my step-daughter trying to get her up one morning when she didn't want to get up. Her freaking out and finally telling me that she was naked underneath the covers was all she had to say to have me leave the room and leave her alone. Obviously, I didn't mind, because she knew we always slept that way.
Either way, your kids, your siblings, or your parents probably aren't going to care and will just leave you alone once they know. You won't need to lock your door. The bogeyman isn't going to get you.
What if there's a fire? Just keep a set of shorts and a tee shirt nearby if that bothers you. Personally, if I need to get out that fast because of a fire, I'm not going to care if I exit the house fully dressed, in PJs, with a towel around me, or naked as a jaybird. Your neighbors will at most, just think it's funny.
What if someone breaks into the house? For some reason which I can no longer comprehend, people feel lot more vulnerable nude than clothed. As if their cotton tee shirt is a suit of armor which would stop a knife or bullet any better or worse than skin alone. And am I supposed to embarrassed to be seen naked by someone who broke into my house? I figure the 9mm pointed at his head will give him a lot more to worry about, than the sight of a naked man confronting him.
Why the Blog?
The problem with the web page format is it's relatively static. Pages beg for lots of content done right, and they really get stale fast. Twitter is on the other end of the spectrum. Too short to have any meaningful content. Facebook? I guess I don't get it.
I write blogs and answer questions on other subjects using different usernames. There isn't any advantage of my mixing them, as many of my interests have nothing to do with each other.
So I'll blog on my thoughts about nudity and nudism here. Expanding on my Yahoo Answers, answers, and referencing appropriate blog entries, if I think the asker or other readers want more depth.
We'll see how it works.
I write blogs and answer questions on other subjects using different usernames. There isn't any advantage of my mixing them, as many of my interests have nothing to do with each other.
So I'll blog on my thoughts about nudity and nudism here. Expanding on my Yahoo Answers, answers, and referencing appropriate blog entries, if I think the asker or other readers want more depth.
We'll see how it works.
Rick407 Today
A lot has happened since then. I married (yes I told her about my nudist background early when we were dating) and joined a family in progress with two young kids. They gradually got to know of my background, and are fine with it (they're now both adults). The wife became more of a home nudist, much to the displeasure of her daughter, but I kept my clothes on around them. They had enough trouble with their father without my "parading around" his kids.
Since then, my career, other hobbies, and family life have kept me extremely busy. Not enough that I don't enjoy sunning myself and swimming naked at least once a week in the back yard I've made completely private. Still visiting nude beaches and resorts, usually alone, when the others are away. She's been to a couple of nude beaches with me, but it just hasn't been her thing to be that way among strangers.
Instead of reposting my Geocities web pages somewhere, I decided it might be more useful to stop singing to the choir and address "non-believers" questions and issues on the subject. I looked around and give that a try at Yahoo Answers (still using the same username and Yahoo E-mail account).
I concentrate on people's questions about nudity and nudism, taking only a few minutes a day when I have time, usually in the morning before work, to answer a few questions. Sometimes giving serious long answers to idle and silly questions (hoping to educate other readers, even if doing so is a waste of time to the asker).
There are a lot of others there I tip my hat to. Some, I know through reading about them from other organizations and web pages, others, I'm "meeting" for the first time.
Since then, my career, other hobbies, and family life have kept me extremely busy. Not enough that I don't enjoy sunning myself and swimming naked at least once a week in the back yard I've made completely private. Still visiting nude beaches and resorts, usually alone, when the others are away. She's been to a couple of nude beaches with me, but it just hasn't been her thing to be that way among strangers.
Instead of reposting my Geocities web pages somewhere, I decided it might be more useful to stop singing to the choir and address "non-believers" questions and issues on the subject. I looked around and give that a try at Yahoo Answers (still using the same username and Yahoo E-mail account).
I concentrate on people's questions about nudity and nudism, taking only a few minutes a day when I have time, usually in the morning before work, to answer a few questions. Sometimes giving serious long answers to idle and silly questions (hoping to educate other readers, even if doing so is a waste of time to the asker).
There are a lot of others there I tip my hat to. Some, I know through reading about them from other organizations and web pages, others, I'm "meeting" for the first time.
Rick407 is born...
As an engineer working with computers, I decided to give writing webs page a try. Not wanting to pay a dime to do so, I stumbled on Geocities (later owned by Yahoo). Username... not very original... Rick from area code 407 (somewhere in Central Florida). It had pages on several subjects, but after a while, it was writing pages on nudism that occupied most of my time. Others were writing on the subject and I enjoyed sharing links and visiting those other sites, and writing about my own experiences.
As most of you know, Yahoo shut down Geocities several years ago. I guess it wasn't making money and was filled with barely started dead pages. I kept copies of my pages and thought about posting them elsewhere, but my pages were getting riddled with dead links and I felt that I didn't have much more to say.
If you try hard enough, you'll find dead links on other pages referencing those pages. And if you really scrounge, you can still find the content archived by others. I guess anything posted on the Internet really does live forever.
As most of you know, Yahoo shut down Geocities several years ago. I guess it wasn't making money and was filled with barely started dead pages. I kept copies of my pages and thought about posting them elsewhere, but my pages were getting riddled with dead links and I felt that I didn't have much more to say.
If you try hard enough, you'll find dead links on other pages referencing those pages. And if you really scrounge, you can still find the content archived by others. I guess anything posted on the Internet really does live forever.
My 20s and 30s... Sorting it out
On return to Florida, I tried Haulover Beach. Right off A1A a few miles up the road from Miami Beach. A short walk to hotels, with lifeguards, police patrols, vendors, and a large section of the beach marked off for "clothing optional" use. It was great and I've visited there many times.
I finally got up the nerve to go to nearby Playalinda Beach. Not officially sanctioned, but accepted for decades before a county ordinance against nudity made it officially prohibited (though people still go there and use the traditional area beyond the end of the road). The Canaveral National Seashore extends north into the next county, which doesn't have any laws against it, and I continue to go there (Apollo Beach) for years.
Work has taken me many places, and I've gone out of my way to visit nudist beaches whenever I could. It as way out of the way, but I loved going to Mazo Beach in Wisconsin. Wreck Beach near Vancouver was mind blowing. Both Mazo and Wreck are mostly college crowds, and the vibe at both was wonderful.
Meanwhile, I decided to support the effort to keep those beaches "free" and joined a couple local organizations here in Florida, and a national organization (TNS then AANR) and became a "card carrying" nudist.
With my "credentials", I decided to try a few nudist resorts. I loved them, and have enjoyed going to different ones whenever I could.
I finally got up the nerve to go to nearby Playalinda Beach. Not officially sanctioned, but accepted for decades before a county ordinance against nudity made it officially prohibited (though people still go there and use the traditional area beyond the end of the road). The Canaveral National Seashore extends north into the next county, which doesn't have any laws against it, and I continue to go there (Apollo Beach) for years.
Work has taken me many places, and I've gone out of my way to visit nudist beaches whenever I could. It as way out of the way, but I loved going to Mazo Beach in Wisconsin. Wreck Beach near Vancouver was mind blowing. Both Mazo and Wreck are mostly college crowds, and the vibe at both was wonderful.
Meanwhile, I decided to support the effort to keep those beaches "free" and joined a couple local organizations here in Florida, and a national organization (TNS then AANR) and became a "card carrying" nudist.
With my "credentials", I decided to try a few nudist resorts. I loved them, and have enjoyed going to different ones whenever I could.
Introduction - How it started
I grew up in a family of 4 kids who were taught that just because something is done a certain way, that it doesn't make it right. My mother grew up in a family from a northern European background, and it became obvious to me early on that her attitude about nudity was different. If we walked in on her when she was changing, whether naked or in any state of undress, if we tried to shy away we'd get a lecture about the human body not being anything to be ashamed or embarrassed about. She enjoyed skinny-dipping with my father late at night, and she made it clear that us kids were always welcome to join them. But, of course, we didn't.
When we were young, siblings and cousins weren't chastised for running around naked in private among family members, and the elders pretty much accepted that letting them enjoy themselves that way every now and again was a good thing. They knew that at some point as we grew older, that we wouldn't be able to get away with it.
Having acquired the Dilbert gene from my mother's father (socially awkward future engineer), the disconnect between how our family handled nudity and how other people did, interested me. In my teenage years, an older cousin married, had a son, and it became obvious that they were taking it to a new level. Simply put, the boy never had a stitch on him anytime he was home, and it was difficult to keep clothes on him in public, well beyond the years we could get away with it. We'd go visit them every Sunday after church, and we ignored the fact that the boy heading into his teens was almost always naked. I overheard my mother mention that they were nudists, and that my cousin and his wife dressed before we came over. Otherwise, they were naked too. She said that not in a disapproving way, just that it was a little different. It never affected how close we were to them.
Always questioning, but painfully shy, I resolved to face my feelings on this subject. I managed to sun myself and swim naked in a remote location a few times, but the fear of getting "caught" deterred me.
It wasn't until I was out of college and on a business trip which had stuck by myself over the weekend in San Diego that I had my chance. I heard others talking about the nude beach nearby (Black's Beach), and I decided to give it a try. No one knew me there, and at least at the time there was no legal issues with people going there and enjoying the beach that way.
Yipes! It seemed that almost everyone there was naked, except me. It took an hour before I finally got up the nerve to remove my suit and go down to the water. I absolutely loved it. I've lived near beaches my entire life, but it had never felt so wonderful. The sun, wind, and water evenly across me. No wet sandy nasty fabric wrapped around me. Sand magically just flies off as you hit the water.
I wondered up and down the beaches, met people, played a lot of volleyball, and body surfed all day, free from carrying around all that grit in my shorts. Then it hit me... I was angry, very angry, that I had been fed such a huge lie and that I had wasted 20+ years buying into it.
When we were young, siblings and cousins weren't chastised for running around naked in private among family members, and the elders pretty much accepted that letting them enjoy themselves that way every now and again was a good thing. They knew that at some point as we grew older, that we wouldn't be able to get away with it.
Having acquired the Dilbert gene from my mother's father (socially awkward future engineer), the disconnect between how our family handled nudity and how other people did, interested me. In my teenage years, an older cousin married, had a son, and it became obvious that they were taking it to a new level. Simply put, the boy never had a stitch on him anytime he was home, and it was difficult to keep clothes on him in public, well beyond the years we could get away with it. We'd go visit them every Sunday after church, and we ignored the fact that the boy heading into his teens was almost always naked. I overheard my mother mention that they were nudists, and that my cousin and his wife dressed before we came over. Otherwise, they were naked too. She said that not in a disapproving way, just that it was a little different. It never affected how close we were to them.
Always questioning, but painfully shy, I resolved to face my feelings on this subject. I managed to sun myself and swim naked in a remote location a few times, but the fear of getting "caught" deterred me.
It wasn't until I was out of college and on a business trip which had stuck by myself over the weekend in San Diego that I had my chance. I heard others talking about the nude beach nearby (Black's Beach), and I decided to give it a try. No one knew me there, and at least at the time there was no legal issues with people going there and enjoying the beach that way.
Yipes! It seemed that almost everyone there was naked, except me. It took an hour before I finally got up the nerve to remove my suit and go down to the water. I absolutely loved it. I've lived near beaches my entire life, but it had never felt so wonderful. The sun, wind, and water evenly across me. No wet sandy nasty fabric wrapped around me. Sand magically just flies off as you hit the water.
I wondered up and down the beaches, met people, played a lot of volleyball, and body surfed all day, free from carrying around all that grit in my shorts. Then it hit me... I was angry, very angry, that I had been fed such a huge lie and that I had wasted 20+ years buying into it.
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