When I first embarked on writing a blog about naturism, my mind was full of ideas and commentary and I thought that I had maybe enough material for 12 posts, perhaps a monthly entry for a year.
As I began writing, it quickly became obvious that I had more to say and that I could post a blog more regularly, something I thought might help maintain and grow my readership. I changed my plans and decided to write a weekly blog for perhaps six months or so, thinking that after that time I would have said my piece.
Now after nearly two years of posting a regular weekly blog, and with over 1200 free subscribers, I am finding that I am running out of fresh things to say. Ideas and comments are beginning to feel like I am repeating myself, and while repetition of ideas helps lodge them into people's minds and is a valid process of learning, my goal with these articles is not to teach. My goal was always to make people think, especially non-naturists.
I fear that after all this time, I am now writing content more for naturists rather than non-naturists, and while I have enjoyed the process and interactions with many of my readers, I feel that the cupboard is getting bare. I am preaching to the converted.
That is not to say that there won't be things in the future that trigger a flow of words suitable for publishing, but I feel that I am becoming a slave to the schedule rather than adding much to the naturist discussion.
While I have been lucky that most of the comments and feedback on my writing have been positive and supportive, I understand that my take on naturism is not a universal one. There are many different types of people who embrace spending time naked, for many different reasons. The idea that there is a single definition of what a naturist is, is no longer accurate, if it ever was.
I had originally thought that this 100th entry would be the appropriate point to pull the plug on my weekly writing, but the mildly OCD pedant inside of me pointed out that this was 4 entries shy of an article every week for 2 years. The 2-year milestone is more important to me than the nice round number of 100 articles in total.
So I have set myself the goal of writing 104 weekly blogs, and after that, I will pull back from the regular posts. There will still be things I have to say and I will still write and post articles here, they just won’t be as frequent.
I accept that some people will receive this news with a touch of sadness, with some readers actively looking forward to my weekly blog, at least that is what they say to my face.
Rest assured, I am not leaving naturism, nor the naturist social media connections that I have. Naturism is an even bigger part of my life now than it was just 2 years ago when I started this blogging gig.
I will leave the existing blogs online and anyone can go back over earlier posts and read them for free. I may even repost old blogs occasionally to keep the material fresh in the eyes of followers who have signed up more recently.
I am not sure what the next stage in my naturist journey will look like. I will continue to encourage and welcome people to the philosophy and support local naturist events. If there is the opportunity to be a guest writer on other blogs, then I might take up that challenge, but only if I have something relevant to say.
One of the things that I have done is keep a running copy of all the blogs in one document, and while I accept that there are many instances where certain messages are repeated, there may be merit in distilling the writing into a more coherent argument for a naturist lifestyle. I won't do that just yet, but it may be a project for the future, once I have had time to reflect and consider things a while.
I have a day job that keeps the bills paid and a roof over my head, and with some recent territory and market changes, I need to put more focus on that. I would love nothing more than to retire and work full-time on naturist projects, but I am also a realist and know that naturism would never give me the income that I would need to make that career change.
I would like to thank all my readers for signing up for my weekly rantings and a big thank you to everyone who commented on the content. Your feedback was welcome and you often gave me thoughts for additional blogs. The support that you have all shown has been humbling. The comments, conversations and interactions have made the whole exercise worthwhile.
So this is a heads-up that change is on the way. There are four more blogs in the pipeline lined up for the next 4 weeks, and then my contributions will be far less regular.
There comes a time when you have to choose between turning the page or closing the book. – Josh Jameson
Thank you for reading and have a comfortable day.
Next Week:
Compliments.
If you have to say something, don’t be creepy.
Congratulations on your milestone. I have been reading your blog for only a short time, and have enjoyed your articles. I will endeavour to read your previous articles and look forward to reading what comes in future.
I've enjoyed getting to know your thoughts over the past while. One of the things I really enjoy about your writing (and other naturists) is the delight and ease in your writing, hearing a story like one that would be told at a local greasy spoon or café, and the sense of community and friendship that comes with it.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that you don't always need to proselytize or advocate loudly to have a place that is valued and needed. Have you ever listened or read through Vinyl Cafe stories from Stuart McLean? (Link: https://youtube.com/@StuartMcLeanVinylCafe?si=4aauxxxuZf2861yS ) They resemble the feel I get when I read your writing. Something I think we all need more of.
Thank you for the time you have given here. Thank you for sharing your stories, for having a voice and for teaching others. Thank you for creating a positive community. If you change your mind and write more, I'm here for it. Maybe a podcast could be a new place to explore? Keep creating and take care.