The Majority Won’t Understand or Accept Nudism
The other day on my Twitter account I saw a post about a long-time nudist and blogger was “found out” by the university he worked for that he was a nudist. According to his account he was told in no uncertain terms, stop, or find new work.
While it appears he has some seniority and leadership within the institution they didn’t want him to continue to cause “undue trauma” to the student’s who would find his page.
Dan opted to close his blog and Twitter page as a result.
Sure, he could have fought it, and probably won; however, sometimes the juice isn’t worth the squeeze and you have to make a personal choice as to folding or fighting.
I applaud his decision as it would be easy for me to say “the hell with them, fight it”; ultimately, I don’t pay his bills, put money into his account, and surely not paying for his medical bills or retirement.
But this brings me to a point I have seen for over 21 years of being a nudist: the majority won’t understand or accept nudism.
This isn’t a new topic that I have talked about in real life.
“’O you are one of them people”
The majority of non-nudist that I have spoken with over the years have resorted to a canned response “I could never do that”. There are many drivers for this answer.
This “can’t do” attitude is deep rooted in how people were raised to see the naked body. Whether it is religious views, or simply the media shaming people (majority women) for posing topless or wearing a small bikini in public, it is burnt into their thoughts that nudity is bad.
Furthermore, people associate nudity with sex. This is what they know from personal experience or from watching movies, television, or porn. This results in a futher hard stance for them to not accept nudism.
As a result, when you tell people you walk around naked with others what is the immediate thought that comes to mind?
You are in a big swingers party with open sex everywhere you look. Men walking around with erections checking out the model type women who are laying naked with their legs spread.
If you aren’t a swinger, you are a part of hippie movement, and it resembles the 1960’s and Woodstock with a bunch of people walking around smoking pot with a free love attitude.
While this couldn’t be further from the truth, it is what people think. People then will build a story in their head with visuals. This story will further fuel a negative image.
Therefore, when people find out you are a nudist you now become “one of them people”.
How to Talk About Nudism
When I talk to people about being a nudist, I don’t try to convert them to accept nudism as their new way of life. I don’t try to change the world’s thinking and make it acceptable, therefore, more people can truly enjoy the benefits.
I try to change one person’s, or couples view of it. Why? So they may try it out one day and see if it is for them. For those that want to try it out but don’t know where or how…check out this blog I wrote to help you get started.
I choose to spend time educating them on what it is really like and how it has helped me with stress, anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance control. How I have met some of the nicest people in the world, highlighting the various professions I have met along the way.
The number one thing I address is from women who will ALWAYS say “I can’t do that I don’t look good enough to be naked in front of others”. I will kindly say it again as I have in many previous blog posts…it isn’t about what others think, it is about you and how you feel. Nudist are everyday people with everyday bodies.
My goal is to normalize being naked around people and to not look at it any other way.
Hell, I should be on the show Myth Busters as that is what I like to focus on.
Changing a misconception into a reality.
I do encourage people to try it around the house and see if they can see results.
So, if you get engaged in a conversation with a non-nudist don’t try to change their opinion, just highlight your positive experiences and the benefits you have gained. To gain some tips on talking to people about being a nudist check out this previous blog.
It may not change their way of thinking and that is okay, it is their life and their thoughts.
The result of the majorities misguided perception
The result is simple: most people won’t try it or feel like they are doing something wrong. They feel like they have to hide it (and a lot of people do). They focus on the “what if someone finds out” fear.
Look back at the beginning of this blog, like over 50 blogs posts back! You will see that I blurred out my face. I didn’t do this out of shame of being a nudist, I did it to protect myself and a future career that I may have.
Then you see it switch and I only blur out my wife’s face to protect her at her request. Not that she is ashamed or embarrassed, but it goes to the very start of this blog post.
There is nothing wrong with that at all.
I am in no way saying that you should say “f*ck the world I am doing it”, each person and situation is unique.
If you need to protect yourself, do so. If you need to not post pictures or talk about it: Don’t.
You have to do what is right for you; however, please don’t not do it (yes that is a double negative) out of fear, or because of what others might say.
The result when you ignore the majority
What happens when the minority of people ignore the majority…they have an amazing time and reap the benefits that nudism/naturism has to offer.
Women feel more confident and see a boost in their self-esteem. Some even feel sexier and more empowered. This carries on too many areas of their lives.
Men have reduced stress and smile more. Many also gain self-confidence and empowerment.
My depression keeps me from talking to a lot of people, however, you wouldn’t know that a nudist event. I talk and laugh a lot…sober! Also, I can feel my body physically loosen up from not being so stressed out. I don’t clinch my jaw or shove my tongue to the roof of my mouth (I bet many of you reading this are doing that same action as you read this).
Don’t take my word on it. Read other’s amazing stories about their journeys as I think you may find some great inspiration.
My final thoughts
The world is full of closed-minded people who will NEVER see it any other way than the way they currently view it; ultimately, for them to accept nudism would take a huge change of mind. This is very clear in politics, religion, cars, COVID, hell even down to Apple or Microsoft products.
There will always be a difference of opinions that will never change. There will always be people who will think you are a freak for being a nudist.
Many non-nudist will assume because you are a nudist that you are a sexual being and do it in front other of others because they don’t understand or accept nudism. Many will say they can’t do it and because they can’t you shouldn’t either.
To that I simply say, the hell with them.
You must live life on your terms and do what you enjoy doing. Here is a good read I wrote previously on being you.
If they don’t want to do it, that is okay they don’t have to. However, don’t base your decisions on the thoughts and judgements of others. That is a crappy and unhappy way to live.
It may take you time to get over that way of living because for some of you, well, you have been living that way for 30, 40, 50+ years. You can’t and won’t change it overnight.
But stick with it.
Live life on your terms and conditions and do what makes you happy.
If you aren’t a nudist and say you can’t do it, you are correct. You can’t if you say you can’t.
I would ask you to consider trying it out around the house. If you want to try it out for the first time to check out this previous blog on how to get started.
If you are a seasoned nudist, don’t get offensive or pissed if someone doesn’t see it your way. Talk to them about how it helps you, or your enjoyment of the lifestyle, and leave it at that. If they want to learn more, they will ask or talk about it. This could even be with your significant other, partner, or whomever.
Bottom-line: enjoy the life that you chose to live whether it involves wearing clothes or not. You only die once, but you live every day. So take each day as a blessing, be grateful for what you have and be kind to each other, even if they don’t agree with you.
In your corner,
Ryan
It’s always great to read your blogs. And thanks for the reminders. Well said and well written my friend.
Thank you Richard appreciate you taking time to read and respond as always!
Yes, many people have a false idea about nudism and nude people. They have never seen naked people except on “porn” sites. They have never been around naked people in real life. They thing nudists are swingers or hippies because they don’t know any better — and WE have never showed them. Nudist have been hidden and mysterious for a century.
The solution is, of course, to make nudism into a common every day experience for most people. Keeping nudism hidden in remote resorts and hidden beaches has always been an utter failure, and willl continue to be a failure. The only way to bring nude acceptance into mainstream is to go public in large numbers. WE nudists need to be SEEN and HEARD. And not just on nudist blogs where we preach to the quire. WE have to be SEEN in public, all the time, in MANY Places. WE have to be seen often enough so that seeing naked people, and even interacting with naked people, is a common experience for MOST people. Nothing else will make nude into normal. It’s up to nudists to stop hiding behind fences.
I always find it interesting to see places in Europe where it is commonly normal to see billboards that show skin. I think a good start is events like the World Naked Bike Ride as that attracts a ton of people and San Fran used to be a pretty open place for nudity in public. While I agree it is good to be seen and heard, it takes changing a cultures preception which is done by good interactions. This is why I think each beach should have a clothing optional section to it as I have been to three and nudist and non-nudist do just fine interacting. We (I say we as a community) face an uphill battle in the U.S. as we are doing against century old hand-me-down way of thinking.
I always get a kick out of meeting those at a nudist resort on their first trip and the common sentence…”this is nothing like I expected”. Now if that would just carry over to more and more people.
Great read and very true! I personally don’t feel comfortable telling everyone because of the judgements that will be made. Because then they will say I make them feel uncomfortable which wasn’t my intent. It was more about being open with who I am and what I enjoy doing. Am I nude all the time no. But that is a misconception people also have. I also am glad there are resorts because if I were to go out into public nude first I would be attested for indecent exposure but second I would be judged instantly. I don’t have to worry about either of those at a resort or my home.
I agree with you that some people will be uncomfortable and make a quick judgement, but that also comes from people will instantly say “I could never do that” and then follow it up with misconceptions about the nudist community. I am glad we have resorts that you enjoy going to and feel comfortable and can get the full benefits of nudism. I am proud of you for trying and inspiring me!