"I was the last person to shed my swimsuit..." - Cheri
"It is Perfectly Normal to Be Sacred..." - Julie
"It's About the Freedom to Accept Ourselves..." - Anna
"The Most Interesting Friends I have Ever Met..." - Linda
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From A Women's Perspective
Four Women Talk About
Their First Naturist Experience
"I Was the Last Person to Shed My Swimsuit..."
We have never met, but I am taking the liberty to write you because I understand that your
significant other has become interested in nudism or clothes-free recreation. You are wondering
whether or not to share in this. My husband and I are nudists, and like you, we both
experienced all the concerns and uncertainties the first time we tried it. All the vague fears and
worries I fretted about proved groundless. I would like to help you experience and become
comfortable with this lifestyle. I hope you will let me try.
Perhaps telling about my first experience with nude recreation will lead you to that end. I was
vacationing at a resort in the Caribbean. The first two days were spent on the beach sitting in a
soggy swimsuit and being chafed by sand. I signed up for a day boat trip and picnic at a beach on an island away from the
resort.
As we were leaving, I discovered that the excursion was to an island with a nude beach! I decided to go anyway,
thinking no way was anybody getting me out of my suit. I stood firm, and in fact, was the last person to give in and shed my
swimsuit - I was the last one to get dressed to return to the resort. Why hadn't someone told me about this sooner? I was hooked, and that was over 30 years ago. The phrase, "nude when possible, clothed when practical," definitely describes me. I do wear at least shoes when vacuuming the house though as I have a habit of running over my toes with the vacuum cleaner.
I admit that my first reaction was that this is something that was not an acceptable practice. I was unaware that there are
national organizations and did not know anyone who could shed light on this relaxing way of life. The literature available
today, some of which your significant other might have asked you to look over, tells it like it is. Everyone will tell you that once you have made your first visit, the feeling of apprehension will vanish. Until you experience a thing for yourself, words cannot tell you how you should feel or how you should act or react.
Believe in your mate. You have a good relationship, and I'm sure your significant other has never asked you to do anything that was wrong or really unpleasant. Occasionally, we don't want to do some things at first, but since it means a great deal to him, it usually turns out fine. This too, means a great deal to him. When you decide to visit a club, give them a call and inform them that this will be your first visit. Contrary to what most people believe, you generally will not be asked to leave your clothes at the gate. You will be given a tour of the premises, where the pool or hot tub, or other facilities are located. If you are visiting a non-landed club, you will most likely visit with some of the members at a neutral location, i.e., coffee shop, after which you will be invited to an event.
Some common fears of women with whom I have been in contact include being secretly worried that she wouldn't be as
attractive to her spouse as she had been, compared with all the beautiful figures she was sure must be there.
For the most part, there is a normal cross-section of the population. The solution for this particular lady was the security she felt in her relationship and that the relationship was based on more than just physical attractiveness. Another fear is what sort of people will I meet. You will meet doctors, lawyers, clergymen and women, taxi drivers, accountants, secretaries, warehousemen, waiters, school teachers, moms, dads, grandparents, teenagers, infants. We are your neighbors, your friends.
It's a wonderful feeling to meet entirely new people and enjoy new interests and activities. There is a peculiar thing you have to experience to believe, but there is a friendliness about nudists that you will generally not find in any other group. I have come to count our nudist friends among my closest. They seem to always be there for me, for us.
Why don't you try your hand at being a nudist in your own home. Try sleeping nude, if you don't already--once you get used to
it, you won't want to sleep any other way.
That's the first easy step. Then, when you take your shower or bath, don't grab for a robe except for comfort. Do your nails or set your hair or just read the newspaper. I think you will enjoy it. If you exercise, try it without clothes, it feels wonderful.
Wear whatever you need to feel comfortable. Since it's convenient and healthful at times to dispense with clothes, nudists do. We're not different from other people, just more comfortable.
I hope I've been able to help just a little. Offer a compromise to your mate. Give him an hour of your time, you will wish you had sooner.
Sincerely,
Cheri Donna
Copyright © August 1997-2008 by Travelites, Inc.
PO Box 90836, Columbia, SC 29290
All Rights Reserved Reprinted with Permission
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"It is Perfectly Normal to Be Sacred..."
Welcome Ladies!
After only a year as a nudist, my perspective on what a woman might want to know prior to attending her first nudist
function is that it is completely normal to be scared witless. If it's her spouse urging her to try nudism, anger is the
normal reaction. Thinking that he is pursuing nudism just to see a lot of naked women unfortunately does not help
her to embrace the idea.
Nudism is not about gawking; it is a lifestyle choice that gives us the freedom to be clothes-free and experience
body acceptance. Women are inherently ashamed of their bodies because of the society we live in; everywhere we
turn are beautiful, bone-thin models and actresses, and the world appears to be full of men who desire this kind of
woman.
Most women are not models; quite the contrary. We come in all shapes and sizes and are beautiful just as we are.
One trip to a nudist event and a woman will be unburdened and free forever of her self-limiting ideas. Along with
shedding her clothes, she will shed the body-shame society has dumped on her. She will finally be able to challenge
the deeply-held belief that she is unacceptable as she is.
How do I know how other women feel about their bodies? Because I have lived it. Until I became a nudist, I was
convinced of my lack of worthiness because my body never fit the stereotype. Even when I only weighed 107
pounds, I thought I was fat. Off-the-rack clothing never fit my shape. When I look at pictures of me then, I see a
darling young woman who just could not be accepting of herself because of a societal burden I didn't even realize I
was carrying. I was powerless and unhappy.
This has been a heavy load to carry for so long, and it makes me cry to think back. I ache for the women who still
carry the load, and who will probably carry it forever. To not accept herself as she is, and worse, to identify the
essence of who she is by the body she wears while in earth-school is a tragedy. It is my personal goal to lead as
many women to a nudist lifestyle as I possibly can. Although it is not a panacea, it is a huge step on the road to self-acceptance.
The first time will be difficult - but when faced with the opportunity, women need to feel that fear and do it anyway!
Come as you are, but you'll never be the same again. Don't worry if people don't jump up to welcome you. We have
many new faces, and most won't know that you are a newcomer. You'll fit right in, believe me. If you are
uncomfortable, wrap a towel around yourself, or stay in your clothes. No one will care, because we have all been
there. If it is the wrong time of the month, don't let that stop you. Strings can be cut off or tucked in. Although you
will feel more vulnerable, it's normal, and nothing to worry about. It's just another way life has of giving you a
chance to find a creative solution.
A few things to remember: Treat others as you would wish to be treated. Don't stare, don't ogle, don't touch. No sex
jokes, no innuendos. After you get to know folks, some rules can be relaxed. I make sex jokes and innuendos all the
time, but only with people I know well and socialize with. For men, the top concern seems to be: What if I get
excited being around all the naked women? Keep your towel handy, and cover up if you need to. Or stay in the pool
until it passes.
Nudism is no different than anything else in your life. Once you are accustomed to it, you'll wonder what was so
difficult about getting started. Once you get here, though, you will never want to get dressed again. Nudism will
cease to be something that you have tried, and it will become something that you are. Becoming a nudist is simply
the best step I have ever taken in my own behalf. I urge you to join me.
Good luck, and welcome!
Julie
July, 1997
Reprinted with Permission.
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"It's About the Freedom to Accept Ourselves..."
It used to be hard for me to understand why anyone would want to become a nudist. Being naked was always so
embarrassing and uncomfortable for me, even when alone or in front of my husband. I kept my body well-covered at
all times. Fear of ridicule and humiliation kept me so uptight for so long, I often had nightmares about being seen
naked. To give up my clothing willingly was something I would never have considered, especially as a lifestyle
choice. I thought nudists were the beautiful people, either already perfect, or wealthy enough to buy it. What other
reason would someone have to go naked in front of others? It must be a mutual admiration society, right? Wrong!
This image of perfection as a criteria for being a nudist couldn't be further from the truth. Nudists don't congregate
to worship and admire each others' perfect bodies. We gather together to shed uncomfortable clothing and to
experience the joy of feeling the sun and wind all over us - not just on the body parts that society deems acceptable
to be seen. Sharing the lifestyle with like-minded people further enhances our nudist experience. Nudism is not
about being seen; it's about the freedom to accept ourselves and others just as we are.
We are no different than you. We are normal people with jobs, families, joys and sorrows. We are young, old, thin,
fat, Black, Asian, Caucasian, gay and straight. Love of this lifestyle brings us together as friends. Nothing else can
give such a wonderful feeling of freedom as moving away from social dictates and living naturally whenever
possible. I know that freedom means different things to different people. For those of us who enjoy nudism, freedom
requires taking a huge step across social barricades into something that many claim to be perverse and sinful. It is
not.
It is nearly impossible to understand how wholesome nudism is without experiencing it for yourself. I made the
choice to try nudism because I needed so badly to overcome the negative force that body-shame was having on my
life and my attitude toward myself. I never dreamed how far-reaching and positive the effects would be. When I saw
a child playing naked in the mud without reprisal from angry parents worried about ruined clothing, I knew I had
come home at last. At long last. And then I played naked in the mud, too.
We are not judgmental, as you probably believe us to be. We don't critique, grade, categorize, or dismiss you based
on your body shape and size. You are what you are, and so am I. I am free to be who and what I am without
prejudice. Body flaws and shame cease to close us off from living life fully because of something we cannot change.
And in leaving that shame behind, we become truly free.
Taking your clothes off will have some amazing side-effects in your life. You will discover that your body image
starts to improve. You will begin to think differently about the connection between nudity and sexuality, and you
will realize that they don't walk hand-in-hand. Men and women can socialize together naked without it being an
orgy. Respect for yourself and others will increase, because you'll know firsthand how difficult it is to take that first
step. You'll realize that nudists are unique people, indeed.
Clothing does not make you what you are. We are not our clothes, and they are not us. As a nudist, you will discover
how important it is to be accepted for who you are and not what you wear. It takes courage to push your personal
boundaries and go naked with others. Not everyone is able to do this, but I invite you to try it and see for yourself
the changes that will occur in your life.
I still have dreams of being naked in public, but they are no longer nightmares. They are glimpses into a soul set
free. Fear no longer dictates my direction, so I can turn my attention to more important things. And from now on, I
will play naked in the mud whenever I can.
Anna
August, 1997, Reprinted with Permission
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"The Most Interesting Friends I Have Ever Met..."
Being a single female Naturist for many years hasn’t always been easy, although it really is quite simple. I am a Naturist, which to me is a simple and very natural way of being. However, I have encountered difficulties along the way which have made it not always an easy process.
My choice is to be single and a Naturist. So, I have searched for places to go where I can be who I am, with no opinions, of perceptions of others put on me. A place where I can be welcome as a person. A place where it does not matter if I am alone, or not. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I have been successful!
I have met mostly couples and single men in my Naturist activities. Single female Naturist seem to be few and far between. I have met some wonderful people as I have found ‘safe’ places to go where I can soak in the mineral hot springs and bathe in the warm sunshine in the nude; which are my favorite things to do.
Being an extrovert, by nature, I enjoy every opportunity to meet people. The most interesting, friendly and ‘real’ people I have met have been through my participation in Naturist activities. I have been blessed to acquire many new friends who are also Naturist. We stay in contact and see each other as often as we can.
In the last four years I have encountered two women who were so real, so strong and filled with grace. They both touched me deeply. We spent time talking and they shared stories about their life experiences. Unfortunately, I will not have an opportunity to see either of them again, or to build a friendship with them which I would greatly value.
One was a woman, age 60, who was from Australia. She had been on a three year walk about in the U.S. She was staying at a clothing optional hot springs just prior to returning to her home land.
The other was an elderly lady of immense strength who walked with grace. She was from Holland and was a survivor of the Holocaust. Had I not been in a position to allow them into "my space" I would not have been blessed by the experience of meeting them and learning about their life.
I can’t help but believe there are more single female naturists out there. A lot more. It seems we aren’t all that apparent, or we stay to ourselves most of the time. I think I have a pretty good understanding of the reasons why. And why we often appear to be a couple so we may enjoy ourselves in a Naturist setting. At times we also appear as a family, which often times we are because we have children. The reality is that we are protecting ourselves because we have concerns about being "hit on."
Over time I have learned that I can have a good time and not have to appear as something I am not. I don’t have to stay to myself, or protect myself from being "hit on" by appearing to be with someone else. I hope it will continue to become easier for all of us single women. I would like to share my experiences and thoughts with others, and have done so more often as I encounter other naturists. I hope to see more of you single female naturists at future RMN activities.
Oh, by the way, I am a Mom and a Grandmother and I have a sixteen year old son at home who often soaks, suns and spends time with our Naturist friends. Please, don’t worry about people who have concerns about your participation with your children. There is nothing wrong, and it is their problem, not yours. My children and sons-in-law have accepted it and think it is fine! And their opinion is more highly regarded by me than anyone else I can think of.
Linda
2006 NudistNews.com. Reprinted with Permission
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