I had my first nude experience on vacation about 9 years ago. What began as a trip to a nude resort that I expected I would try out once and laugh about for years to come, instead became something that is now a big part of my life. Being nude has changed my thinking about body image and I have a totally different mindset now of what it means to “practice social nudity.”
When I talk with non-nudist friends, what usually comes up in the conversation, particularly with other women, are all of the deeply held beliefs and insecurities about our female form. These thoughts and beliefs are reinforced constantly in the media and through a culture that promotes youth and being stick thin with perfect skin as the ideal. Not many of us look like that in reality. The usual comments I hear from other women in response to the fact that my husband and I hang out at a nude campground go something like this: I could never do that! I’m too fat! Maybe if I lost 30 pounds! No one needs to see this old bod! Sadly, I think they are missing the central point, which is that when we shed our clothes, we can shed and let go of those shaming societal messages about our bodies as well.
One of the main reasons I got “hooked” on the experience of nudity is that I think people are simply a bit nicer without clothes on! Seriously! Nudity presents a certain level of vulnerability…..when you are out there in the altogether, with nothing to hide behind, it just makes sense to be respectful, kind, and truly interested in other people (note that I didn’t say interested in critiquing how they look). Time and time again I hear other nudist friends make this same claim when they talk about the nice people they met on a trip to a nude beach, a nude resort, or here at Avatan.
I wish everyone would put some time being nude with others on their bucket lists. If you do decide to try it, I’ll bet you’ll meet some really fun and delightful new people from all walks of life. You may even come away with a newfound sense of being “more comfortable in your own skin.”
– K