Naturist New Year’s resolutions

Sure, you may already have a list of resolutions for the new year – which, if things go as usual, you may not manage to fully keep. So having more suggestions might not be what you were hoping for. However, since you’re a naturist, or at least may have seriously considered becoming one, there are some important resolutions you should consider adding to the list.

If you’re curious enough about naturism to be reading a blog like this, one of the most important things you could be thinking about for the coming year is how to spend a lot more time being naked. So if it would help to keep things simple, here’s the single resolution that should go on your list:

This year I’m going to step up my involvement in naturist activities.

 
What you actually do depends on how much in the way of doing naturist things you’ve already done. For instance, if you’re strictly a beginner, you might spend more time learning about naturism online through naturist blogs, Twitter accounts, etc. Find out what naturist activities and facilities are available not too far from where you live. And get up the courage to actually go check some of them out in person. Or something even simpler – just be naked a lot more of the time at home.

On the other hand, even if you’ve been a lifelong naturist who grew up frequently naked in a naturist family, there are surely many naturist things you haven’t done yet. For instance, if you’ve actually started a successful naturist Meetup group in your area, you’re a very rare individual. Or, since you probably already know many other naturists, perhaps from a club or resort, think about organizing some sort of activity your naturist friends might enjoy – a naked whitewater rafting trip or naked skydiving experience, for example – anything your naturist friends haven’t yet thought of doing naked (provided it’s legal, of course).

Yes, your ability to successfully keep your naturist New Years’ resolutions will depend a lot on how soon the Covid pandemic can be brought under reasonable control. Fortunately, a number of the suggestions here don’t depend on being able to travel freely or interacting closely with groups of people. It would be a good idea to add a few suggestions of that sort to your list, so you’ll have a better chance of keeping at least some of your resolutions.

For your convenience, here are the suggestions, grouped by experience level. Even if you’re an experienced naturist, check out all the suggestions. You might want to recommend some of them to friends who aren’t as experienced as you are. And by all means, feel free to offer additional ideas in the comments.

For anyone taking the first steps in naturism

1. Although you can remain secretive about your interest in naturism as you start to experiment with nudity, accept as fact that the goal should be for nudity to become a normal part of your life that at least certain others of importance to you will know about.
2. If people you live with aren’t yet aware of your interest in naturism, discuss it with them, and get their permission to be naked when that’s acceptable to everyone. See here for advice about this.
3. Read about some of the best reasons for pursuing a naturist lifestyle, so you can justify your preference to others. Then learn how to correct the most common misconceptions people have about nudity and naturism.
4. Spend as much time as possible naked in your own home. Start gradually – perhaps only when you are alone. But be naked increasingly more of the time, even when others are around. When you have several days together without a need to leave home, don’t get dressed at all. Repeat whenever you can.
5. Cautiously inform people of your interest in naturism if they’re important to you – and you believe they’re open-minded enough to respect your feelings about nudity. If they indicate they think it’s “no big deal” and have no objections, request permission to be naked in their presence. Aim to let them know that not wearing clothes might become “normal” for you.
6. Purchase a T-shirt or two containing slogans that imply approval of nudity. Look into getting other apparel, such as a sarong or other clothing items that can quickly be put on or removed, or are especially “revealing”. In general, when it’s reasonable, wear as little as possible if you can’t be fully naked.
7. If you are concerned about unexpected visitors finding you naked, install a video camera and an intercom at your front door so you can take appropriate action. Keep a robe or something you can quickly cover up with near the door if necessary. Better yet, put a sign close to your front door, advising visitors that someone answering the door may not be fully clothed – if you’re OK letting anyone know.
8. Carefully monitor how you’re feeling while not wearing clothes, whether alone or with others. Dismiss any feelings of discomfort or embarrassment about discussing nudity or being naked as long as that doesn’t seem unwelcome to others around you.
9. If you’re uncomfortable with being fully naked in a particular situation, consider wearing clothes that are more revealing than “normal”. For example, clothing that’s made of semitransparent or mesh material. Or clothing that doesn’t quite cover body parts that people usually keep covered – perhaps most of the sides of your body.
10. Start keeping a diary or journal about the steps you took and the experiences and feelings you had in the process of exploring nudity. If you keep at it, then in the future when you look back on how your relationship with nudity developed, you’ll be able to see how your feelings evolved, and be able to recall the reactions of others, how you handled the reactions, and what you might have done differently. You’ll also be able to offer good advice to others who embark on the same path. (Thanks to a commenter for the suggestion.)

For naturist novices

1. Make becoming more and more comfortable with nudity a top priority. Be naked increasingly often, when possible in your current environment. Don’t hesitate to talk freely at suitable times about nudity and how it’s getting to be a more normal and important part of your life. Discuss nudity straightforwardly as something entirely normal and good – but don’t overdo it and become a bore.
2. Find ways to make your living space more nudity-friendly, such as by decorating with some nude art or photography. If you own your home, look into getting a spa for naked soaking – with friends who might be interested.
3. Actively participate in naturist discussions online. This could be using social media you’re already on, like Twitter or Facebook. Or it could be by commenting on naturist blogs or joining specialized online naturist forums or social networking sites, which you’re found from online searches for naturist information. If you haven’t found sites you like, ask others for suggestions.
4. Naturist activities conducted by video systems (like Zoom) are becoming available. Activities include things like chat groups, panel discussions, naked yoga or art lessons, etc. British Naturism is very good for this, and anyone in the world can participate, sometimes for free.
5. Plan some hiking or camping outings where you can usually be naked and aren’t likely to encounter non-naturists. Many other outdoor activities can safely be done with minimal or no clothing. For example: backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, or rock climbing. Car camping in places such as National Forests is especially easy to do naked (depending on local regulations).
6. If you haven’t already visited a nearby clothing-optional beach or naturist club or resort and gotten naked, go ahead and do it. Good clubs and resorts want your business, so they’ll try to make your first visit as easy as possible. Be sure to read their advice for first-time visitors, so you know what the rules and expected behavior are and you needn’t worry about embarrassing mistakes. But don’t give up if the first place you try isn’t quite what you expected.
7. Gradually let more relatives and friends know of your interest in nudity. That could be done passively if you leave naturist art, magazines, or books around where you live. If they don’t react negatively, ask whether they’d mind you being naked in their presence – and definitely be naked, if it’s convenient, whenever there’s no objection. You may be surprised at how often non-naturists quickly become comfortable with the nudity of others.
8. Invite one or more people close to you who aren’t bothered by nudity to accompany you when visiting a naturist place. Nudity isn’t required at clothing-optional beaches or most clubs and resorts (except around the swimming pool), so those who’re with you need not be naked. Children are usually welcome – and safe – at most legitimate naturist places.
9. Join a nearby non-landed naturist club or Meetup group, if you haven’t already. Such organizations provide probably the best opportunity for making new naturist friends, because they are less impersonal places to meet people than landed clubs or beaches. People you meet at non-landed groups can give you information about naturist places they visit regularly, and can help you to make friends at such places.
10. When you do visit a legitimate naturist place or non-landed club, don’t be shy about meeting others who seem friendly. This is usually the easiest way to find new naturist friends, so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity.
11. If you are interested in learning more about yoga, find out whether a local yoga studio could arrange special sessions teaching yoga naked for yourself and anyone you know, including family members, who might like to participate.
12. If you consider yourself a good runner in short marathons, find out whether there are naturist clubs or resorts not too distant which hold 5K nude races at various times in the summer. People who enjoy such things are usually welcome even if they have little naturist experience.

For semi-experienced naturists

1. Always be thinking about new ways to normalize nudity in the minds of others. Being naked whenever it’s reasonable is just the first step. Include discussions of your naturist activities in friendly conversations you have with others. Talk about naturist activities you haven’t tried yet but want to. Keep it casual, however, and don’t try to “sell” naturism to others unless they seem interested. Simply try to express how nudity has enhanced your life.
2. Become a mentor for people who’re less experienced with naturism than you are, but interested in learning to enjoy nudity or gaining more experience with social nudity. You’ll notice such people who seem attracted to the idea as a result of your interaction with them.
3. If you’ve already enjoyed naturism at one or more clothing-optional beaches or naturist clubs, look for others that may be suitable and aren’t too far from home for a day trip. Variety is the spice of life, you know.
4. Plan a vacation, not necessarily near home, where you can be naked much of the time. Something that’s within your budget, of course. Perhaps a road trip to visit several naturist facilities in another state. Or splurge a little to visit naturist facilities elsewhere in the country, or even a naturist-friendly country like Spain or France.
5. Join a regional or national naturist organization, such as AANR or TNS in the U. S. Such organizations generally organize gatherings or festivals during the summer for large groups of naturists to enjoy activities together. Membership in an organization has other benefits, such as discounts at naturist resorts and a magazine or other publication.
6. Look into renting a houseboat on a lake, which will allow you to spend time naked along with friends and family who are comfortable with your nudity, and possibly open to trying nudity themselves.
7. Have clothing-optional dinners, parties, or informal get-togethers at your home where both naturist and non-naturist friends are welcome. This is a great way to stimulate interest in naturism for people who haven’t considered it yet. Don’t put pressure on non-naturists to disrobe – but let them know you think they’d enjoy doing so.
8. Invite anyone you know who’s not uncomfortable around naked people and who share your interest in outdoor activities suggested above to join with yourself and other naturists in those activities. Without applying any pressure, suggest this could be a good opportunity to give it a try. People are often inclined to engage in safe and pleasurable activities others are enjoying.
9. Try doing something naked that’s slightly outside of your present comfort zone. For example, work as an artist’s model (paid or free) for people taking classes in figure drawing or painting or nude photography. Or if the opportunity arises, perform naked in front of a group something you have an amateur-level (or better) talent for, such as stand-up comedy, doing magic tricks, or playing – solo or with others – a musical instrument.
10. Consider having sessions at your home (or any suitable place) where others can enjoy watching or participating in things mentioned in the preceding item.
11. If your car doesn’t already have fairly darkly tinted windows, think about having that done, so you or your passengers can feel more at ease being naked on long trips. (But keep a sarong, towel, or something similar readily available if the need arises to cover up quickly.)
12. If you think you’re a good writer, consider writing an article about a naturist adventure or vacation you’ve had, and offer it to a local newspaper as a human interest story. If that doesn’t work out you can offer it to an online site that deals with vacations, travel, or unusual experiences.

For experienced naturists

Many of these ideas may require help from other naturists. If you don’t take the initiative yourself, get involved with helping carry out such things. A significant investment of time may be required. But if a lot of the time can be spent naked, it’s all good, right?

1. Start your own naturist blog or some other type of online activity that could be useful to naturists anywhere. Possibilities other than a blog include a Twitter account that regularly provides naturist news and information, or discussion groups at social networking sites like Facebook, MeWe, TrueNudists, etc.
2. If you’ve joined a national or regional naturist organization, become involved in whatever programs they have (if any) to promote naturism. That might include, for example, providing information for the organization newsletter, contacting local legislators to advocate for relaxing anti-nudity laws or providing new clothing-optional beaches, or distributing organization literature to others at beaches, clubs, and resorts.
3. Public libraries often have meeting rooms for community members to provide information that may be of interest to the general public. Contact a local library about having one or more sessions providing information on naturism and nearby places for naturist activities. Alternatively, hotels rent rooms for things like this at rates that may be reasonable. (All present would be clothed for such sessions.) A nearby naturist club may help cover expenses and provide speakers.
4. If there’s no non-landed naturist club or Meetup group in your area, try to organize one. Clubs can be either independent or affiliated with a regional or national organization. You’ll need some help from naturist friends to handle finances, newsletters, memberships, publicity, activities, a simple website, and so on. But it could be very beneficial for many other naturists.
5. If you belong to a local naturist club, look for activities that can be arranged to benefit the public at large, such as maintaining or building hiking trails, cleaning up nearby beaches, or doing routine clean-up and maintenance chores at nearby public campgrounds. Nudity could be possible at some of these activities. Try to make beneficiaries aware of the naturist efforts, if possible, perhaps by informing local media.
6. Organize members of a naturist club you belong to for assisting with local charities, such as collecting donations, volunteering at food banks, or helping at homeless shelters. Members would be clothed while engaged in such activities, but would at least get good publicity for the club.
7. Many state and national forests and parks have group campgrounds that can be rented for short periods. Since only persons invited will be present, nudity should be allowed. Plan and organize a campout at one of these places. Invitees could be personal friends and their families and/or folks you know from a naturist club you belong to.
8. Plan and organize a clothing-optional flea market (yard sale, etc.) that could be held either at a naturist park or on private property that doesn’t have neighbors who would object. Publicize the event to other club members and the general public.
9. Get to know people in local town or county governments, with the objective of obtaining permission to allow naturist or clothing-optional events or activities in suitable parts of parks and recreation areas. Events might be, for example, art shows or craft fairs. That might sound a bit far-fetched in many places – but could work if some of the proceeds from the event are donated to a local charity.
10. Help organize a World Naked Bike Ride event. These take place in many cities during the summer, and are usually approved by local officials. Not only can participants be naked, but they help publicize traditional WNBR goals to promote reduction of dependence on fossil fuels.
11. Organize a bodypainting event at a private home (such as yours) or a landed naturist club. Anyone in the area (not just club members) could be invited to volunteer to be painted, help paint others – or both. The event could either be free, simply as clean fun for everyone. Or (at a naturist club) it could have an admission fee to raise money for a charity.