My name is Steve and I don’t like wearing clothes. While I identify as a naturist or a nudist, my state of dress does not define me. Social non-sexual nudity is only one part of my life. It is a significant part, but not the biggest part by any means.
"My name is Steve and I don’t like wearing clothes. While I identify as a naturist or a nudist, my state of dress does not define me. Social non-sexual nudity is only one part of my life. It is a significant part, but not the biggest part by any means."
Absolutely perfect!
It is a facet of my life, one of many. Different facets shine as the light changes.
Nudism can be a hobby or a complete lifestyle. It can be a personal preference or it can be an urgent need. You can dance naked in the streets or you can be living in a closet. It can be lounging around naked alone at home on a warm night or it can be living full time at a club. Where your nudity is on these spectrums can shift over time. You can be a social conservative or a free love hippy.
I wish more people would understand this and stop with all the gatekeeping. It only hurts us.
My nudity undefines me. When I have my office clothes on I'm an IT analyst. When I have my hippie clothes on I'm a shopper at the supermarket. When I have my ragged paint clothes on I'm a DIY guy at Mitre 10. But no clothes - I'm none of these things and all of these things. Undefined.
I'm not sure when the terms ' nudist ' or ' naturist ' became fashionable, as I recall that people who lived without clothing to be known as ' sun worshipers '.
I strongly believe that the clubs in New Zealand could do a heck of a lot more to promote our preferred lifestyle - hiding behind tall fences, locked gates, etc only adds to negative comments and thoughts within the majority of the population.
I was very much under the impression that nudity was fairly accepted in New Zealand. I can certainly understand the main statement being made, but to find that it was written by a person in New Zealand really confuses me.
Gerald. Nudity is not illegal here, but not always accepted. I can be naked in many places, largely due to our lack of population density. Despite our tolerant laws, there are still large numbers of people here who consider social nudity wrong or immoral. We live in a society where people like to be outraged and offended. I can certainly be naked more than in many places in the world, but social nudity is not universally accepted here.
That is much like Britain. And a few parts of the US. Not illegal as such but many people will still give you heartburn over it if you don't keep it low key..
What you have said is absolutely correct. All global population will have diverse interests, priorities & passions. Naturism is one of it. "Countless as the sands of the sea are human passions."- Nikolai Gogol.
Another excellent piece Steve. Something worth sharing since so much of naturism online is presented as all about being naked. A more wholistic view of naturism would position nudity and particularly social nudity as only one component of naturism. Anyway I really enjoy this piece and the simple way it expresses a really important concept. Hope others appreciate your perspective.
Living in New Zealand does complicate mingling with other naturists and attending events. I don't know the airfare costs from NZ to Europe or the U.S. but it must be very costly.
Roughly $1000 NZD to fly return to the US, and about twice that to Europe. The other consideration is the time that it takes. It's about a 12 hour flight to LA, and a 26hour flight to London.
Some excellent thoughts, Steve, and something I've been mulling over for some time. As I've mentioned before, I grew up in a household and wider environment where being naked at certain times was not even a thing worth remarking about. It didn't have a label such as "naturism" or "nudist" - it was simply a normal and natural thing - no different to putting on gumboots when the paddocks were muddy. Nobody called themselves "Gumbootists" in the winter! And being naked around the farm or at the beach in summer didn't warrant a label either.
So yes indeed - my nakedness doesn't define me either - any more than any other state of dress I choose at any given moment.
However, I do realise that for many people, particularly in more conservative and strict societies, naturism really is a "thing" they "practice" - like a hobby or sport. Hence the need for clubs, where people who regard nakedness as something special that needs to be practiced can gather. But for me, while I've enjoyed visiting some of the clubs, I've never really understood or felt the level of specialness that club folks place on being naked. To me it's just another outfit hanging in my wardrobe!
Thanks guys. We are planning to get out and about more this summer. I understand that Katikati is under new management, so might get there a bit more regularly this season. Also plan to get to some beaches more frequently, so long as the weather is suitable this year.
Great article as always Steve. I agree. It's good just to keep on contact with other like minded people, whether that's clothed or unclothed. Although we all have a preference. Oh and yes I was plotting my next ink..🤪
"My name is Steve and I don’t like wearing clothes. While I identify as a naturist or a nudist, my state of dress does not define me. Social non-sexual nudity is only one part of my life. It is a significant part, but not the biggest part by any means."
Absolutely perfect!
It is a facet of my life, one of many. Different facets shine as the light changes.
Nudism can be a hobby or a complete lifestyle. It can be a personal preference or it can be an urgent need. You can dance naked in the streets or you can be living in a closet. It can be lounging around naked alone at home on a warm night or it can be living full time at a club. Where your nudity is on these spectrums can shift over time. You can be a social conservative or a free love hippy.
I wish more people would understand this and stop with all the gatekeeping. It only hurts us.
My nudity undefines me. When I have my office clothes on I'm an IT analyst. When I have my hippie clothes on I'm a shopper at the supermarket. When I have my ragged paint clothes on I'm a DIY guy at Mitre 10. But no clothes - I'm none of these things and all of these things. Undefined.
Very well articulated... I love this.
Thanks Steve - well compiled thoughts.
I'm not sure when the terms ' nudist ' or ' naturist ' became fashionable, as I recall that people who lived without clothing to be known as ' sun worshipers '.
I strongly believe that the clubs in New Zealand could do a heck of a lot more to promote our preferred lifestyle - hiding behind tall fences, locked gates, etc only adds to negative comments and thoughts within the majority of the population.
I was very much under the impression that nudity was fairly accepted in New Zealand. I can certainly understand the main statement being made, but to find that it was written by a person in New Zealand really confuses me.
Gerald. Nudity is not illegal here, but not always accepted. I can be naked in many places, largely due to our lack of population density. Despite our tolerant laws, there are still large numbers of people here who consider social nudity wrong or immoral. We live in a society where people like to be outraged and offended. I can certainly be naked more than in many places in the world, but social nudity is not universally accepted here.
That is much like Britain. And a few parts of the US. Not illegal as such but many people will still give you heartburn over it if you don't keep it low key..
Thank you for explaining the situation. Sincerely, Gerald
Hi Steve, if you could live a in a nudist village and be naked more often would that be the ultimate for you?
What you have said is absolutely correct. All global population will have diverse interests, priorities & passions. Naturism is one of it. "Countless as the sands of the sea are human passions."- Nikolai Gogol.
Really well written!
Thank you.
Another excellent piece Steve. Something worth sharing since so much of naturism online is presented as all about being naked. A more wholistic view of naturism would position nudity and particularly social nudity as only one component of naturism. Anyway I really enjoy this piece and the simple way it expresses a really important concept. Hope others appreciate your perspective.
Living in New Zealand does complicate mingling with other naturists and attending events. I don't know the airfare costs from NZ to Europe or the U.S. but it must be very costly.
Roughly $1000 NZD to fly return to the US, and about twice that to Europe. The other consideration is the time that it takes. It's about a 12 hour flight to LA, and a 26hour flight to London.
Some excellent thoughts, Steve, and something I've been mulling over for some time. As I've mentioned before, I grew up in a household and wider environment where being naked at certain times was not even a thing worth remarking about. It didn't have a label such as "naturism" or "nudist" - it was simply a normal and natural thing - no different to putting on gumboots when the paddocks were muddy. Nobody called themselves "Gumbootists" in the winter! And being naked around the farm or at the beach in summer didn't warrant a label either.
So yes indeed - my nakedness doesn't define me either - any more than any other state of dress I choose at any given moment.
However, I do realise that for many people, particularly in more conservative and strict societies, naturism really is a "thing" they "practice" - like a hobby or sport. Hence the need for clubs, where people who regard nakedness as something special that needs to be practiced can gather. But for me, while I've enjoyed visiting some of the clubs, I've never really understood or felt the level of specialness that club folks place on being naked. To me it's just another outfit hanging in my wardrobe!
Nice article Steve! Ann and I look forward to catching up again this summer!
Thanks guys. We are planning to get out and about more this summer. I understand that Katikati is under new management, so might get there a bit more regularly this season. Also plan to get to some beaches more frequently, so long as the weather is suitable this year.
Great article as always Steve. I agree. It's good just to keep on contact with other like minded people, whether that's clothed or unclothed. Although we all have a preference. Oh and yes I was plotting my next ink..🤪
Thanks Di. I'm glad you picked out the subtle mention.