What Type of Person Becomes a Nudist?

1/19/2015

I pose this question because I believe a great percentage of non-nudists ask themselves this very question on the topic of nudity. I think they must query, why? Other ponderings probably center upon their careers, ethnicities, age, religion, and forgive me if I offend anyone with this… their psychological stability. To clarify a little, I’m saying I question if textile individuals not only wonder why, but also, do they judge nudists as a bunch of weirdo’s or deemed poor, illiterate, low class, non-professional losers possibly? Is this the impression they have or do they have any expectations regarding who or what type of individual might be a nudist?

Never once in all my years did I consciously consider these ponderings. My contemplation arose from events I’ve encountered recently as I began sharing our lifestyle in nudity with a few friends and family members. After leaving the conversation I found myself wondering what their true feelings were regarding my confessions. The customary response has usually been, “Wow, that’s really great”, or “You’re so brave, I could never do that”. Though their reactions sounded positive, I’m left feeling a nagging sensation that seems to weigh heavily within my chest, resulting in a sense of imposed judgment or disapproval. It’s truly bothered me because I don’t want to believe those I feel close enough to confide in would be insincere or dishonest with me. It bothered me in a way which made me regret sharing; I had to get to the bottom of what was causing this impression.

I don’t believe my thoughts ever pondered the, who, what or why of nudity for the greatest part of my life (now it’s practically foremost in them), but previously, on the few occasions nudity was mentioned (by friends or relatives) I can tell you the conversation didn’t speak favorably of those who lived the life of a nudist. On the rare opportunity discussions turned toward someone who was a nudist, they were usually spoken of as a depraved individual, or as a strange, twisted type of person, one of bad breeding, or someone who was unstable of mind; either way they were someone you didn’t want to become friendly or very well acquainted with. Of course, the exception to this rule was voiced through my father’s statement which always completed any discussion pertaining to nudists… “There is nothing dirty about the human body; it’s the mind that makes it so.”

I can’t say I ever associated a positive image with anyone who engaged in the nude lifestyle due to the above influences. Yet on the other hand, I don’t think I permanently attached a stigma with them either. I believe I simply tried to keep neutral in my thoughts about nudity since my father’s ending statement always seemed to warn against thinking negatively about them, (as though it made me one who possessed the dirty mind to think the thoughts) or use the damaging declarations others were using to distinguish their character.

Aha! That’s why… My feelings of disapproval with my nude lifestyle from those I love come from impressions I absorbed through my childhood. I had been almost embarrassed to tell them, not for the reason of shame over what I was doing, but because in my mind I cringed with the implications overheard through those whose approval I cared about as a child.

I suppose I found resolution by recalling past remembrances from my youth which carried negative connotations associated with nudists. I must admit, it came as a surprise to me when I realized I’d carried the memories of past conclusions expressed by others forward to the point I felt a haunting sense of disapproval in my revelations due to them. I like to imagine we are living in a more tolerant time than that of my youth, not so closed minded and hurtful. I’d like to help all individuals gain acceptance and understanding for nudists. I hope my words written as my own form of therapy will help others understand as I give explanation with the following.

Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief… doctor, lawyer, indian chief. This was a little chant we used while jumping rope as a child. As an adult, this little childhood rhyme has returned to my memory as I was seeking an appropriate way to describe the walks of life one might find a nudist in. I’ve found no barriers (except close mindedness) which prevent any individuals from enjoying social nudity. You don’t have to be any or all of the above in order to participate in nudity. We come in all forms, all races, religions, sexual orientation and a great variety of professions.

I have met people who could be any of the above but when they’re nude, it’s truly difficult to pin any of these tags to them (literally as well as figuratively). When we are clothed, I feel as though we are in costume, acting out our part in a play. We are playing the character defined by our layers of clothing. The clothes label a person, causing them to hide behind a façade which they think distinguishes their status or who they are. When the clothes are stripped away the veneer is removed as well and we’re able to see others for who they really are. I feel the judgment has been removed, there is no pretense and the beauty from within is what seems to shine through. So why are people so bound to the material that forces them to constantly be on stage, performing endlessly for the textile world?

When a baby is born, it’s born without clothing. Their little bodies are so perfect and precious, and though they cry when they are exposed to the cool air that accosts them once they have been removed from their mother’s womb, they would much prefer to be naked, flesh to flesh with their mother than clothed. I worked in a birthing unit for 10 years and never found one baby who enjoyed being dressed. They get angry and turn red all over, shuddering and quivering, but are comforted once returned to the skin to skin security of their bodies touching their mother’s while held in her arms. There is nothing dirty or perverted about this scenario; it’s beautiful, natural, and spiritual.

When a young child runs around a sprinkler in the summer with nothing on, or plays in the water at a lake or beach as such, it is innocent and inherently beautiful. The phrase “childlike” comes to mind, because when using this expression we think of a natural beauty that is innocent and free of guile.

When does this stop? When do our bodies stop being beautiful, innocent, free of guile? Why, when we become young adolescents and adults are our naked bodies no longer allowed to be free and beautiful?

When I am naked, I feel childlike. It’s the closest thing to being born again, both metaphorically and spiritually. When in a social situation with other nudists I feel as though we all come to life as we engage in stimulating conversation (not stimulating sex as most seem to imagine). I am enthused as I sense the invigoration exuding from those around me. It is an exhilarating experience as the enthusiasm of youth seems to have been set free in each of us.

We are all childlike, for there is nothing nasty or dirty in our nudity. We are beautifully created in God’s image and it is only in the closed minds and perverted thoughts that are carried by others that make it dirty or shameful.

Socially, I feel no different (better or worse) from any other individual I meet in social nudism. We are rich and poor; we’re doctors, lawyers, and indian chiefs. We come from every walk of life and unless someone asks, we rarely know what individuals do for a living. That is not who we are, it’s just what we do to support ourselves. Who we are, are nudists, people who feel exquisite when we are able to free ourselves from the bondage of clothing and share the joy we experience with others who identify with us jubilantly.

 AZNudistCouple