What is a Naturist?

And what is it all about?

After a recent Blog, I had a conversation with one of my readers who made some interesting points and concluded that:

…the term "naturist" no longer has a universally accepted definition or ideology. For many people, it simply means non-sexual social nudity, with little if any connection with the natural world other than sunbathing on a beach. For others, it's not even that - preferring to be naked alone within their own homes. From that point of view, the vast majority of today's naturists don't fit the original philosophy of naturism at all.

And therein lies the rub.

Maybe one of the reasons that naturism struggles to attract people to its ranks is that everyone's understanding of naturism is different.   Perhaps they feel that traditional naturist organisations, groups, and websites don't cater to their specific needs.

Some consider that nudity is something that only happens in the shower or the privacy of the marital bedroom.

Some simply don't get dressed after a shower or a bath, spending time relaxing naked in their room before dressing and facing the world.

Some are happy to simply be naked in the privacy of their own home.  They might sympathise with others who want nudity to be more socially acceptable, but they have no real fight in the argument.  It makes no difference to them if people are prosecuted or not for public nudity as it is not something that they are likely to engage in.

Some don't see the gender inequality in banning female breasts or nipples.  They are so embedded in the social commentary that there is a difference, they simply don't acknowledge that there is an issue.

Some are tolerant of female nudity in music videos or advertising but show them a penis and it is as if the very fabric of our existence is in danger of collapse.

Some are situational nudists, happy to strip off and go skinny dipping or sunbathe naked, but only under certain conditions or specific circumstances.

Some follow an ecological or environmental path, and nudity is simply a natural existence in harmony with their wider beliefs.  Removing unnecessary clothing and the associated water and chemical use involved in cleaning clothes is simply part of lowering their impact on the planet.

Some go naked purely from a comfort point of view.  They find clothing uncomfortable or restricting and embrace nudity as a means of escaping the confines of clothing when it is appropriate to do so.

Some find social nudism to be their preference.  Camping or spending time at clubs or naturist venues with other naturists helps them to feel part of a community that they can identify with.

Some are online naturists, with isolation and distance from real-world connections forcing them online to connect with their tribe.

Some are in it for visual stimulation, happy to share images with others of a like mind and perhaps push the boundaries of some social media sites.

Some wear the badge of naturist to enable them to be voyeuristic at naturist venues.

Some choose to live as much of their lives as they can naked.

Some have an almost evangelical zeal about the lifestyle and the freedoms, espousing the benefits to anyone who will listen.

No doubt there are other interpretations that I have not listed.

Everyone believes that their interpretation is the right one, and they are correct.  They may even subscribe to multiple interpretations.  Their definition is the right one for them.  That definition may change over time and their outlook may widen or narrow depending upon their own lived experience, but each individual accepting that nudity is normal, has their own unique definition.  Some may even enjoy nudity but not consider themselves nudists or naturists as they don’t believe that they fit someone else’s definition.

So trying to bring more people into naturism but putting rules and conditions in place that exclude or alienate many who might be allies, seems counterproductive.

Naturists proudly claim that they are the most welcoming and inclusive group of people, but the reality is that many naturist groups exclude and restrict people who don’t agree with their definition of naturism.  Single men are excluded from many groups, and numerous clubs don't allow repeat or casual visits from non-members.   I have heard stories from more than a few women where their introductory steps to naturism were hampered by comments, direct messages, or behaviour from people insensitive to them.

I don't know what the solution is but all of us who consider ourselves to be naturists or part of the naturist community need to do better.

We need to be more welcoming and understanding, and in many cases more careful around and more tolerant of, people with differing ideas about nudity.

We need to be having conversations and engaging with people in our communities, and we need to stop putting barriers up to limit people from getting involved.

We should be giving people reasons to join us not reasons for them to walk away.

Some people want it to happen, some people wish it would happen, others make it happen. – Michael Jordan

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This will be the last of my regular weekly blogs.  After 2 years I feel that the time has come to step back from the self-imposed pressure of publishing to a weekly schedule.

I thank all my readers, those who subscribe and those who don't, for the support, comments, feedback and discussions.  It’s been a blast.

I will post articles in the future as topics or events trigger the thought processes that go into writing, but for now, this is it.

At the end of the day, if I can say l had fun, it was a good day. – Simone Biles

Thank you for reading.  Have a comfortable day.