Naturism is often thought of as enjoying nudity in the presence of others (not in one’s immediate family) by sunbathing and skinny-dipping at clothing-optional beaches, being naked while hiking or camping in remote places, visiting naturist campgrounds and resorts near where one lives, or traveling (for those who can afford it) to well-known large-scale naturist facilities in countries like France, Spain, or Croatia. That’s certainly what most national and regional naturist organizations have usually promoted (sometimes under the label of “nude recreation”) – at least before Covid-19 arrived.
But what about enjoying frequent nudity right in one’s own home and back yard? Haven’t significant numbers of people been doing that for decades, even before the pandemic? Isn’t that just as much “real” naturism too – and possibly something enjoyed by far more people?
The answer is: Yes, absolutely, a large proportion of naturists enjoy nudity mostly or entirely at home. For people who enjoy being naked at home, it’s entirely natural and easy to be clothesfree with friends who also enjoy nudity, or at least are comfortable with others who are naked. So it’s quite likely the most common way people participate in social nudity. That’s especially true if you consider the broader category of naturism, which includes frequent nudity when alone or with one’s immediate family.
If you just think about it for half a minute, the reason is obvious: In most parts of a country (the U. S. especially) there are very few clothing-optional beaches, naturist campgrounds and resorts, or other places away from home to socialize with other naturists that are within a convenient distance to visit easily. Consequently, for anyone who enjoys being naked in the company of others, and who has friends who feel the same way, getting together to enjoy nudity together in each others’ homes is a no-brainer that’s the default choice and almost inevitable.
In this post I showed some data from U. S. states and England on how far a naturist might (on average) have to travel to visit a naturist campground or resort. It’s especially interesting to observe that Florida is the U. S. state most similar to England in terms of the travel distance to a naturist venue. Florida, of course, has a much more favorable climate for naturism than England does. Its population density is less than a third of England’s, but the climate advantage means that naturist venues are numerous enough that naturists don’t need to travel much farther than in England to enjoy the beaches, clubs, and resorts.
Obviously, in most of the U. S. the climate is less favorable for naturism than in Florida, and the population density (in most states) is less than in Florida. So, compared to Florida, naturists in the states listed need to travel farther to visit naturist places outside their homes. Many states don’t have any naturist beaches or facilities at all. As a result, since it’s less convenient for most naturists in the U. S. to visit naturist places away from home, it’s not surprising that one’s home is usually where nudity can be enjoyed most often.
One consequence of this is that it’s hard to estimate how many active naturists there are anywhere (but especially in the U. S.), because dispensing with clothes is easiest in private homes. It’s also reasonable to suppose that naturists in the U. S. are more likely to enjoy social nudity in their homes than in other countries where naturism is relatively popular (such as in western Europe). As far as I know, however, there haven’t been studies to demonstrate this directly. It’s also quite possible that even in other countries, most social nudity is enjoyed in private homes.
One advantage the U. S. may have over other countries is that many middle-class people in the U. S. own their homes, and U. S. private homes tend to be larger as well. On top of that, many U. S. homes may have other characteristics that are favorable for enjoying social nudity – larger yards, more privacy, and (sometimes) spas and swimming pools. So it’s quite possible for a U. S. private home to be a fine place for social nudity. It also helps that not everyone in a circle of naturist friends needs to have a home with these desirable features – just one or two people in a circle of friends.
Naturally, there are a few obvious drawbacks to enjoying nudity all or mostly in a private home. For one thing, there may not be a spa, swimming pool, tennis court, or volleyball court. A possible solution is to find a friend who has one or more of those things and is also a naturist or at least not bothered by nudity. But what if, in addition, one doesn’t have such a friend nearby. There are some suggestions for making naturist friends here. However, the usual solution is to go where other naturists are to be found – such as a clothing-optional beach or naturist resort. But if the closest such places aren’t nearby, anyone met there probably won’t be close enough to share nudity with very often.
Of course, you probably wouldn’t want just any naturist friend. A suitable friend should be a person you and your family are compatible with, you can trust, and hopefully has interests similar to yours. If you live in an urban or suburban area, there might be a non-landed club or Meetup group for naturists not far away. And if there isn’t such a group, it might be worth trying to start one. But even that may not be practical if you live in a somewhat sparsely populated area. If moving someplace else is a possibility, that could be the thing to do.
The truth remains: You can’t always get what you want, but if you try, sometimes you’ll find you get what you need.
We enjoy being nude in our home and back yard, and garden as well. We have been to a few nudist clubs that we spent half of a day to drive just getting their. So it’s more convenient and more comfortable at home when shedding the textile world.
I find the writer’s idea that you need other people, a spa, a pool and a volleyball court to be a fulfilled naturist. S/he will probably find it just as curious that some of us are happy just being naked. Full stop. There’s no need for special activities or places. Just getting on with life without clothes on.
No, not curious at all. There are huge differences between people regarding what makes them happy. Let everyone decide for themselves. That means allowing for exploration to learn about new experiences. Most of the population can’t begin to understand why naturists love being naked. Should the majority be able to say we don’t really need that pleasure to be happy?
Perhaps there’s a segment of nudists who shy away from beaches and resorts. For some, other people enhance the nudist experience. For others, perhaps, being nude around people brings risks and variables. I have often wondered how big of a segment of the nudist population is happily silent and hidden.
Clara, this is really interesting. It appears that there are some naturists who have strong opinions on opposite sides of the issue. There was just a comment here strongly in favor of home naturism. But on my Twitter account today there was an extreme comment on the other side. (Here: https://twitter.com/Naked5K/status/1340717035446267911). I’m surprised that this is one of the most contentious issues in naturism. Personally, I’m strongly in favor of both sides of the coin.
I don’t think there’s any real need to take sides. Everyone can make up their own mind what works best for them. You say po-tay-toe, I say po-tah-toe. So what? The majority view in the population at large is that it’s crazy and perverted to enjoy being naked – especially around random people.
That doesn’t mean all differences of opinion are unjustified. Almost all naturists agree that sexuality shouldn’t be part of naturism. There are naturists who’re into sexual stuff, but as long as they keep the two strictly separate, no problem.
The very fact that naturists are mostly secretive and prefer to keep their enjoyment of nudity well hidden is what makes it almost impossible to know which side of the coin is more popular. On Twitter I’m seeing quite a lot of people who enjoy nudity – but mostly or entirely only at home, or at least in private.
I think that for naturism to thrive this secretivity needs to stop. People who enjoy being naked shouldn’t need to be afraid of telling others about it – yet continue enjoying nudity however works best for them. Still, as long as naturists continue being secretive, it’s no wonder that most of the overall population can’t understand what’s so good about nudity, and will misjudge the motives of naturtists. There are countries other than the U. S. that are less judgmental. Non-naturists could think, “hey, I’d never go naked on the beach, but if that’s what floats their boat, why should I care?”
Most people who like naturist resorts and clothing-optional beaches are probably naked at home a lot also. People who’re naked only at home have every right to be considered naturists too. But I do feel they might give some thought to what they could be missing by their current preference. Traditional naturist venues have their own drawbacks, but also are quite different from each other.
Here’s a quote I found that holds quite true in general, but can also express how we should think of naturism:
Agreed. 🙂 We should keep seeking, thinking, discussing, growing, maturing, and enjoying.
Many naturists are happy with whatever ways they currently enjoy nudity. However, many other naturists are interested in finding hobbies and activities that can be done naked – things they might otherwise never have considered. Just to name a few: marathon running (offered at some naturist clubs), archery (for some reason, popular with naturists), hiking and backpacking, playing a musical instrument, yoga, figure drawing and painting, modeling for art classes, etc, etc.
Why might this be? Well, just being naked feels really good. But, honestly, is it enough if it’s just doing the same old things, only without wearing clothes? So the opportunity to be naked and explore other interests can be even better. The problem with exploring these things in the clothed world is that one may not be motivated to continue, simply because they generally require expending time, energy, and (sometimes) money. But when done naked with others there’s an extra motivation and incentive not to lose interest too quickly – especially for people who’re looking for additional ways of engaging socially with others.
I think you say two important things. There are some who are content. And there are some who are happily looking for adventure or something new or something different.
Many though don’t know what to do while nude.
Some can go about their housekeeping or their hobby or a private garden, or poolside with a few friends. But some don’t know what to do or get bored with home stuff. So if they can, they go looking. But some can’t.
There is sometimes discontent in the search, when nothing satisfies. I have wondered how this varies between men and women, and between older and younger.
And I have wondered if sometimes the discontent has nothing to do with the nudity.
I think it is not just limited to at home naturism. I think there are a lot more people who have been naked in public but don’t tell anyone in case they get a bad reaction. Only last month when talking to our neighbor about a naturist visit to Fullers Mill Garden; I found out she had skinny dipped many times. As a naturist I am safe to tell.
A couple of funny things happened at one naked meal in a pub private dining room. There was a mother and grown up daughter working there that evening. After the meal the mother said she sunbathed naked when she goes to the Canary Islands. This was obviously news to the daughter by the look on her face.(The Canary Islands are off the coast of Africa and about 4 hours by plane from the UK.) The other funny event was when one of the customers decided to find out if it was true that there was a naked meal in the upstairs dining room. We heard the noise of someone coming up the stairs and then heard ‘oh f**k’ when he saw the woman at the end of the table. We then heard him going back down stairs quickly.
Good story.
Yes, there’s a complete spectrum – from complete secrecy (people who don’t even tell their immediate family) to full disclosure. The difficulty is estimating the numbers in every stage. Especially since people can become less (or more) secretive over time. The ideal is only enough secrecy to avoid problems with certain people or types of people. But nudity needs to become more regarded as “normal” for this to happen. Doing things like naked restaurant dinners and boat trips that get good publicity helps a lot.
But nudity needs to become more regarded as “normal” for this to happen. Doing things like naked restaurant dinners and boat trips that get good publicity helps a lot.
I started to arrange naked meals, garden visits and boat trips 3 years ago. I have learnt several lessons about approaching places. Go for independent places or where the manager really does have control. Do not hide what you want to do. If it is a naked meal – say it. Email in the same way you would if you where booking a meal for the church choir or local history club. You are wanting to make a booking and it is business. I always try to attach a couple of links to reports of similar events and with pictures. Do not be shy. Very few people are really shocked; many are a little surprised and often curious.
Here is a link to the last naked meal before Covid struck.
https://www.facebook.com/TheOldeKingsArms/photos/a.580115278721302/2835803853152422/
This is the pub’s facebook page and the owner is Ben is in the picture (he is dressed).
Thanks for the info, Robert. What you’re doing should be an inspiration to U. S. naturists. The advice seems very helpful – if only we had adequate organizations to take advantage of the opportunities. Say – has BN considered trying to start an overseas operation here in the (former) colonies? I’d do what I can to help!
We have some difficulties here in the States that you don’t have to the same extent. (1) UK laws are a lot more tolerant of nudity than here. Although the kinds of events under discussion are mostly on private property, U. S. laws probably make owners more nervous about working with naturists. (2) The population density in the UK is much higher than the average here. That means naturists may have to travel much farther for an event here. (3) Our naturist organizations here are much weaker than BN, so unable to be very helpful, especially for local events. (4) And, of course, Covid is making life difficult for everyone now – even in the UK. Besides, it’s winter for another few months, so outdoor events don’t work at present.
Yes, this is a good, sweet, encouraging story. 🙂