How to Share Naturism

By Ken & Amy Sunwalker

“Telling others that I'm a nudist never includes a drum-roll or fanfare.  It's a statement of fact.” – Melissa

Be honest.  Are you a nudist/naturist?  (In America we use these terms synonymously.)

If so, you love being nude and would rather be so in most situations, especially in nature, even when around textile-obsessed people.

But a naturist is, by definition, “not” an exhibitionist.  So, you don’t want to share your love in a “self-conscious” way that “embarrasses” you or a textile person, and you certainly don’t want to “surprise or shock” someone with your nudity.  You don’t want to “force” a “love me or leave me” situation.

Your love of naturism is “natural” after all, so how can you share your natural love of nudity successfully?  Might I suggest these steps:

Step One – State That You Are a Naturist

“If you can’t say it, you can’t do it.” – Risky Business

First, and most important, don’t lie about your love for nudity and who you are.  Instead, become comfortable “telling others” that you are a naturist.  (This may take some practice and certainly courage at first.)

Step Two – State What You Do Naked

Second, simply state what you like to “do” naked.  So many examples:  sleep naked, be naked at home, watch TV naked, read naked, cook and eat naked, sit on the porch naked, garden naked, hike naked, hot tub or hot spring naked, meditate naked, exercise or do yoga naked, discuss naturism with others, travel naked, write naked, sing naked, etc.

You don’t need to share everything you do naked.  Just pick the one that best matches the situation.

So, if someone is visiting, you might say “I am usually naked at home.”  (Just make the statement, never ask permission.)

If you have a hot tub, you might say “Our hot tub is clothing optional, so we always soak naked.”

If you meet someone who loves hiking, you might say “I love to hike naked.”

Step Three – Explain Why

Third, briefly share “why” you do this naked.  This should be a simple, short explanation, sometimes called an “elevator speech.”  (Again, this will take practice.)

Here is my naked elevator speech, based on the three H’s, “Happy,” “Healthy,” and “Human,”  that I revise as needed depending on the situation:

“Doing this makes me “Happy.”  Being naked feels amazing, is fun and freeing.  Doing this makes me “Healthy.”  I'm positive that naked activities and exercise and fresh air and the vitamin D gained improves my health, and normalizing the body fixes my head.  My life is simply less stressful.  And perhaps most important, doing this makes me a real “Human.”  I’m not concerned about how my body compares to others, so I am more social, and can be my true self.”

Step Four – Assess Feelings

Forth, assess if the person is uncomfortable with your “explanation.”  Most people will react without you questioning.  If the person appears embarrassed or reluctant to continue or even hostile – go no further.  If you’re unsure of the person’s reaction, simply ask if the “discussion” makes the person uncomfortable.  Don’t apologize or act like your behavior is improper.  Keep your focus on “their” feelings about the “discussion.”

Step Five – Answer Questions

Finally, the person may respond with interest or ask questions without any prompting.  “Wow, I’ve wondered about that myself.”  Or you may ask “Do you have any questions?”  It’s then a simple matter of answering.

Reluctant Others

“I see naturism and clothes free living not as a call to convert people, but an opportunity to educate, share, listen, and respect.” – Honhouniheart

Many “wanna be” naturists express concern about a reluctant spouse (when one partner loves naturism, and the other won’t consider it).  From my experience, only one approach to this problem works – use the above steps.

“Never, ever lie” about your naturist feelings.  Be open from the first.  The truth always comes out, particularly with naturism, so don’t set yourself up for failure by trying to hide who you are, what you need, or how you feel.  This will eventually destroy trust.

Over time, people change; you may discover or admit your naturist feelings later in life.  If so, this is much like converting to a different religion.  Simply tell the reluctant person what you “now” know to be true using the steps above.

A reluctant partner may have concerns, misunderstandings, and even negative past experiences related to nakedness and naturism; overcoming these issues may take time.  These issues are usually emotional rather than rational, so sharing the logical reasons for naturism or articles from others probably won’t work.  But how can these concerns ever be resolved if you hide what "you" know?

Everything begins with openness and communication, respect for differences, and excellent listening.  If the reluctant partner is very fearful of your feelings, you may need to practice naturism alone for a while.  Too bad – it is much nicer doing things together.  However, it is quite possible to do naturist activities in the company of other naturists without your spouse joining you and then stay dressed doing other activities that please your partner.  But be totally open about your naturist activities and be patient.  The reluctant partner may eventually come around when he or she recognizes your “commitment to the truth” about the body.

The final secret for sharing with a reluctant partner is to just get them to “try” it – at least once.  If they never try naturism, they can never know why it is so valuable, and who knows, if they try it they may like it.  He or she owes you at least that much.

Lean on Me

“Do you walk around naked in your home?  If so, do you do so when your partner is there or only on your own?  When your children are there?  When you have guests?  Why not?  What’s so shameful about the human body?” – Tim Cooper

Over time both partners might come to love naturism together – even if in different ways.  This opens up exciting possibilities.

My wife and I share a love for naturism, and because our personalities vary some, we like to “lean” on each other.  For example, my wife is very open to sharing the fact that we are naturists; I am less so but am more experienced and knowledgeable.  So, she often begins a “sharing” moment, and I finish it up with an explanation and invite.

I first met Amy on-an internet dating site.  We talked for hours via the phone before actually meeting in person.  From the start, I explained that I was a naturist and what that meant.  Her first experience with naturism was a visit to Shangri La Ranch.  I introduced her at the office where she bought a pareo.  We then walked the resort’s trails; she got nude and has never worn the pareo.

When my wife learned of naturism from me, she told her family.  They were open to the idea but were reluctant to see my “junk.”  (No one has junk of course, but those who do not understand use that phrase.)  One sister often visited us, and over time I wore less and less, finally settling for a short kilt that just covered the “junk.”  My wife and I discussed this just before her sister’s most recent visit.  My wife said she would ask her sister if it would be alright for me to open my kilt when sitting if it became constrictive, then let me know.  She asked the sister who said she had thought about that and didn’t want to interfere with our normal life, so I was soon able to share my naturist behavior with my sister-in-law.  In fact, my wife was the first one to be naked in front of her sister, then I joined in with the sister-in-law’s permission.  My sister-in-law felt it was much easier than she thought it would be because we just acted like our nudity was normal.  I was able to lean on my wonderful, supportive wife.

Nacation

So many approaches exist for sharing your naturist feelings.

Often taking a naturist vacation (nacation) together is just the ticket for helping a reluctant person give naturism a try.  The setting can be wonderful, and if a distance away no one the person knows will show up.  This was the case for Lovnaturism (a Baptist minister):

“We . . . decided to vacation at a lovely Jamaican resort . . . There was an offshore island reserved for nude sunbathing.  I wanted to try it out but would not propose it for fear of pressuring my wife into a situation that might be unpleasant for her.  On the other hand, she did not want to deprive me of the opportunity, so she overcame her own reluctance to suggest that we give it a try.  It turned out to be enjoyable for both of us, though also slightly intimidating for her (she too was brought up in a highly restrictive environment).  For me it was instantly natural.  Lying nude in a hammock in the tropical sun with a Caribbean breeze caressing your skin is about as close to heaven as we are likely to get in this life . . . We laid by the pool and read; we laid by the pool and slept; we floated in the pool and tanned; we exercised and swam; we had many delightful conversations with other guests; and we joined in pool volleyball and many other games organized by the resort staff.  We found it to be so enjoyable to live clothes-free in that idyllic setting . . . On the day we left we put our traveling clothes in our carry-on bags and took them to the poolside so that we could enjoy the last possible moments.  We just did not want to get dressed. . . I believe that every person is entitled to a ‘private’ life, but a ’secret’ life is not usually a good thing.” - Luvnaturism

Be Prepared

Others will believe you more and may even ask about naturism if you are prepared to share.

Post a sign at the entrance to your place/home.  The entrance sign to our property reads:

“Entering this property means you acknowledge and accept that naturism is our chosen way of life.”

And the entrance sign to your house might read:

“Naturist home - knock if you want us to cover up, otherwise ring the bell if you are comfortable with nudity.”

Decorate your yard and home with nude statues and art work.  Leave naturist magazines and an album with naked vacation photos on the coffee table. 

And prepare a packet of information with naturist brochures and first-time stories to give to guests as they leave.

Clothing Optional Events

Holding clothing optional events is a great way to introduce others to naturism,

Get a hot tub; people often use a hot tub naked anyway, so it’s a natural way to share naturism.  Invite friends, get in the tub naked yourself, let those invited choose to stay dressed or not, and then use the steps above to discuss your feelings about naturism.

“When we first got our spa . . . we became a little braver and would venture out in the nude.  It felt so wonderful, freeing, and much less expensive.  Wonderful because the feeling of the water on the body with jets enveloping the body was a real experience.  It was freeing because there were no restrictions, or inhibitions.  Best of all, we didn't have to waste money on suits that deteriorated very quickly.  We have had our Spa for three years now and wouldn't dream of ever wearing a suit again.” - B.

While not as normal as a hot tub, you could invite friends to any naturist activity.  How about a campfire discussion or a BBQ?

Home Naturist Resort

How about making the place you live a private naturist haven to share with others?

While most places can work (I’ve even been able to be naked on my apartment porch with the help of some privacy screens), this is more difficult if neighbors look down on your back yard, so it’s best to buy or rent a place with natural privacy.  Then with a little creativity you can create your own naturist resort for yourself and others.

Surround your back yard with privacy fencing or bushes.  Create a secluded garden area, or a private hot tub area, or meditation walking trails, or a sunbathing spot.  How about a BBQ fire pit?  Private deck?  Entertainment room?

Having areas like these makes it possible for you to live naturally at home and makes introducing naturism to friends much easier.

"I’ve spent a few years getting our place ready for our naturist practice.  We bought a five-acre plot of land that would accommodate naturism.  Now, I walk our Nature and Meditation Trail nude nearly every day, stopping to sit at the meditation stations.  It brings peace to my soul.  I love to putter in our garden naked.  Our deck is perfect for relaxing naked with friends.  Our hot tub is clothing-optional of course.  And we plan to build a garage that can also be used as a naturist entertainment area and naked observatory of the valley below.” - Kensunwalker

Share Stories and Ideas

Get your friends together to Share Stories & Ideas (SSI) (perhaps just your partner at first).  Meet at a regular time and place.  Pick an interesting naturist-related topic, share some thoughts to get the discussion started, and then sit back to see where the discussion leads.  End by deciding the main topic for the next discussion.

Here are a few possible introductory topics: What is a naturist?  How did you become a naturist?  What naturist activities do you enjoy?  What is it like to attend a naturist event?  What is on your naturist “bucket list?”  How can you create a naturist resort at your home?  How is a naturist resort different than home naturism?  What is a nude beach or hot spring like?  How can you find others in your area who share a love for naturism?  How can you attract others to join in?  What should you do if you run into a textile person while you are naked?  How can you share naturism with others or a reluctant partner?

It’s always nice to have a few goodies to eat at an SSI.

Summarize what was discussed in a post after the SSI to build future interest.

Keeping this a “clothing optional” event makes it easier to invite first timers and reluctant partners.

Want to share naturism with others?  Try an SSI!

"We truly do help each other be better people when we share our naturist lives.” - David Buck