It’s probably mainstream now, but when computers were young and not so powerful, it was stunning to type and immediately see how it would look.
What You See Is What You Get.
Wysiwyg.
A few days ago I realised that this is the very same thing with nudists, naturists, clothes-free people and other denominations that prefer not to be dressed.
What you see is, indeed, what you get. Just the real person, with all its wobbles, welts, bruises, scars and smiles. Tanlines and all, that’s the real person, right there.
No need to use any prettifying stuff like hats, ties, scarves, skirts, pants, shirts and what-not. We’re real. Which, again, proves that the other world, the textile realm is more fake than people would think.
Clothes for keeping warm
Sensible. Going out in the snow and ice, freezing several parts off and getting hypothermia doesn’t sound smart. But is that a reason to keep fifty different kinds of the same piece of clothing, in different shapes, fabrics, colours and so on? You can wear only one at the same time (okay, some people like to overdo it. Please send shots of men wearing 2 pairs of trousers and ladies wearing a skirt over their dress).
And yes, diversity is good, but running after the fashion gods who are after your money is something else.
Stay naked, people. Be yourself. I want to see what I get, not the fake dream that someone tries to put out there.
I love listening to podcasts. I think I said that before.
As I write this, I’m listening to an episode of “Normalizing Naturism” (and yes, it’s with a z).
It’s available via Spotify, but also via many other podcast channels. It’s interesting that the name online is ‘naturism’ while the podcaster talks about ‘nudism’, which I find funny, but understandable as he hails from Arkansas. (Arkinsaw, as he calls it. Why that state’s name is pronounced that way is still a riddle to me.)
This is a fairly new podcast, it started in October of 2020, so if you want to catch up, that’s easy.
Another (long-running) podcast is the Naturist Living Show, that many have probably heard of. Presented by Stéphane Dechene from Bare Oaks in Canada, this show has over 120 episodes to show already.
The latest one I heard is about the Nude Yogi, which was a very interesting interview with Sarah Jane and how she got to be where she is now. If you want to learn more about her, have a look at the podcast page where you’ll find lots of interesting links. And do give the podcast a listen.
Also a fairly new podcast series, which is a nice listen for when you feel like it. The episodes are significantly longer than those of the first one I mentioned (which has episodes of around 20 minutes). The New Nudist Podcasts runs between 50 minutes and 1.5 hours. But worth the while, and it’s not like you have to run or do anything difficult while listening. 🙂
That’s it for the news for this week. I hope you enjoy this post and if you know of other interesting naturist podcasts, drop me a line in the comments.
With Covid still keeping many of us in the house and therefore away from proper fitness facilities, that seemed a worthwhile subject to dive into.
(Image from adultfitness.com)
The blogpost I read first talks about 3 kinds of reasons for fitness.
At home workouts
Self Growth workouts
Stress Relief workouts.
As we all known, keeping our bodies in some shape is important. Of course, round is a shape too, but perhaps that isn’t the healthiest form. This said, your mileage as well as your body may vary, so I’m not posing absolutes here.
I’ve always been a proponent of nude fitness and activities like hiking.
With hiking out of the realm of options at the moment (definitely with the cold coming in), nude fitness is the way to go.
Adultfitness seems to be an interesting place to check out (I haven’t done that yet). After all, not everyone is an expert on figuring out the right kind of exercises that are good for you. Pulling a muscle is easy, and damaging your body in the long run is something we all should avoid (unless you’re into that kind of thing).
Adultfitness offers a free and a premium option, so that is nice. First give them a free spin and upgrade if you feel like it. (No, I’m not affiliated with them, I don’t get a free premium plan or anything. I’m just pointing out the options, okay? Wait, a free premium plan? 😀 )
The idea of stress releasing exercises sounds good to me. This isn’t an easy time for most of us. Stress builds up as the Covid pandemic creeps along and refuses to go away.
I hope this helps a few people to get their fitness mood on. Stay healthy, everyone.
I think the days of good, old fashioned naturism are behind us. With the Corona virus crisis still going strong (and unfortunately getting stronger again), there is no outlook for going back to how things were before this year, in my eyes.
I’m perfectly happy to hear anyone disagree. The old times weren’t so bad, right? But the old times weren’t the best either. Naturism was looked at as something bad by many people.
Who knows, maybe this social distancing encourages more people to try naturism with the new normal that will undoubtedly appear.
Why do I dare think that?
Body shame is the name of that game. I’m convinced that many people would love to give naturism a try, but they are ashamed of their body not being the perfect beach boy and girl shape. You know the type. They are the bodies we don’t see at nude beaches and resorts either.
If people are ‘forced’ to keep more distance, perhaps more people will feel inclined to undress near others. Because the extra distance will make them ‘less visible’, even when it’s just a psychological distance. 1 metre / 3 feet can do a lot for someone who is insecure, I think.
It is a pity things may never go back to this, but who knows, if everyone wears a mask, there are still possibilities. I think it’s important to look at what is possible in the coming days. As long as we gaze at what was lost, progress will be at a standstill, and no one is served by that.
Taking nude hikes should be fine if people keep their distance as well. People from the same family are still able to stick together. People who know and trust others to be virus-free can be closer together as well. And for those who don’t trust things, it is still possible to enjoy being with others while relaxing nude on a beach or at a resort. It will be a bit louder, because talking over 6ft requires a bit more volume, but regular beaches etc. aren’t the quietest places anyway, so that’s no biggie, right?
That is the title of an article from a British newspaper that I found in my news feed a few days ago. The original is here. The article talks about a sign that was clearly put up by nudists:
According to the article, the sign said, “You may encounter naturists enjoying this area naked today. Simple public nudity is not illegal in England and Wales.”
Next, there is this: A spokesperson from Forestry England said: “This is an unauthorised sign. We have not permitted or been made aware of any events taking place. The sign was removed last week by our rangers.”
Obviously neither this spokesperson nor the rangers who have removed the sign are not aware of British nudity laws. There is no need for an ‘event’ to take place when people simply want to put in some recreational nude time.
It’s scary to witness that, in this age of information and communication, this kind of information is barely communicated. Of course it could also be that there is too much regulation and communication. People can get overloaded with that. In my job however, it is common practice to first check if there are rules and agreements on things, before acting. (I wonder what happened with the sign too. Did it get returned to the owner or the person who put it up as a courtesy for other visitors?)
This is yet another sign (pun intended) where people are reacting on the trigger word ‘nude’.
It is sad to see that there is no progress being made in this area, in a time where the world is warming up and clothes are more and more unnecessary.
I have heard a lot about this. Is a nudist really naked with a mask on?
Short answer: Yes, even when you wear something.
If that is all you have time for then you can move on and be busy with what you consider more important stuff.
The long answer is, as usual, longer and more thought through. Yes, a nudist isn’t naked with a mask on, but here’s the but: everyone wears such a thing.
These days, if you do it right, a mask is like having a nose or eyes. You need it. For living. Because if you don’t use it, the chances of not living very long are quite big. The reason for that, you probably guessed it already, is our little friend COVID-19.
A virus that has such an impact on life as we know it is not something to make fun of. Nor is it something to ignore.
We’re nudists so we refuse to wear anything
Even a mask.
That is one of the stupidest things I have heard in the past decade. That is like saying “We’re nudists so we don’t take medicine when we’re sick”.
You’re right, you can take medicine when you’re totally and veritably naked down to your lack of blue suede shoes, but consider the alternative in the light of a mask and taking home a good shot of the old COVID and blues. Is that worth the risk?
Last Thursday, July 2nd 2020, the USA alone reported 53,000 new cases of COVID-19. That is not just a lot. That is scary. And the majority of these people wore clothes but probably no mask. (I refuse to call it a face mask because I still haven’t figured out on what other body part you can wear a mask.)
Let’s be grateful that masks like up here aren’t obligatory.
Look at it from the other side.
Is a dressed person undressed when not wearing a mask?
If you say yes, you can’t be serious. People have gone without masks for the longest time, unless they intended to rob banks and stuff like that.
I don’t think you’ll find anyone in the textile world who will tell you they feel ‘naked’ without their mask. Masks have become a life necessity with friend Covid still hanging around. A virus doesn’t care if you naked, dressed in rags or the finest silk a caterpillar can poop. It wants to get in your face – and the way to keep it away is to wear a mask when you go out among people. It’s that ff-ing simple.
Conclusion
Having a mask on to stay healthy and alive isn’t that bad, I think.
Also, there is still this 6 foot distance rule, right? Take that into consideration. Keep a distance and the need for a mask isn’t major. (Please, correct me if I’m wrong!) Do keep a mask at hand. You never know when someone isn’t able to guestimate 6 ft.
This is a post that doesn’t preach to the naturist choir. We are used to being naked and we know how good it feels.
If you have always worn clothes, you have no idea how good it is to be out of them. It’s a strange feeling not to be covered. It may even feel cold, despite the nicest and warmest weather. Your brain will scream at you because you’re doing it wrong. You’re not following the program or regimen that you’ve been brought up with.
Don’t worry. Give it a try for half an hour. Do the things you usually do, without paying attention to the clock (unless staring at the clock is what you usually do. In that case, what is your occupation?)
Why would someone want to be naked when there are clothes?
Of course, I understand that question. Clothes are perfect to stay warm. Clothes are also perfect to hide everything that you were told is wrong with your body. The scars, the flab, the stuff that’s not up to the standards of advertisement.
Now let me tell you a secret: no one is. Not even the perfect models you see on TV, on your computer and in magazines.
Nina Garcia. Before and after “treatment”.
If you want to know more about this, have a look at this BoredPanda page. Yes, even the prettiest people are ‘fixed’ up digitally before they live up to what the industry thinks is fine. In other words, it’s total BS.
Are you still with me? Good. Let’s skip the BS part of beauty. It’s impossible. I mentioned clothes to keep you warm. I totally agree. Nudists wear clothes when it’s cold as well. It makes perfect sense and us humans have been doing this for ages.
But then the climate changes. Summers get hotter. Temperatures up to 35C/40C, over the 100F, 110F, are becoming more normal than before. And still, despite the heat, people have to wear their beloved clothes. And when it gets too warm, we simply turn on the air-conditioners. Lots of them. And all of them eating up energy like crazy, and to supply that energy we need to heat up the earth some more and add to the climate change that is already threatening us.
People in underwear
Is that smart?
Wouldn’t it make more sense to wear fewer clothes so your body can deal with the temperature more easily? And once you’re down to just your underwear, why not get rid of that too? What’s the use of that, apart from hiding the parts you were taught to be ashamed of, that need to be hidden?
While we all know you have them…
Why not be naked?
Being naked has the advantage of letting your skin breathe, deal with heat, and also it allows you to move easier. When you squat down, nothing is tight in the wrong places.
I would really appreciate it if you would give this a try. A few times, because your conditioning, your depending on clothes isn’t something you can undo in half an hour.
If you have seriously tried this a few times (more than 15 minutes, no cheating!) and you really don’t like it, okay. You tried. Switch on your air conditioning this summer and pay the bill for it. In electricity and sweat. And clothes. And washing them a lot (which also costs money and adds to climate change…)
As you have seen, being naked more has more effects than you might think. Thank you for reading. And giving this an honest chance.
Yes. Talk about a strange mix of subjects for one blog post. Please, read on.
A few days ago I listened to a podcast in the “Stuff they don’t want you to know” series. Maybe you know it. This specific episode was called “Indigenous Tribes, Covid & PPE”.
To my shock and horror I discovered that Native Americans are heavily affected by the COVID pandemic, and that in most cases and states, hardly a thing is done to help them, or even to educate them on the issues.
I know that the United States have many problems, and many people will shrug this off. I, however, am not many people. If you know my “Naked Crow” books, you may know that Native Americans play an important part in the stories.
The thing that really hit me, as stated in the podcast, was that “Doctors Without Borders” is stepping in to help Native Americans. This may not mean much to you, but this organisation usually steps in when a situation in a third world country is hopeless.
So what does this have to do with books?
In a previous blog post I mentioned “Murder in the nudist colony”. An anthology with death in all kinds of nudist places (just to stay on the cheerful side of life of course). All the proceeds of this book will go to Doctors Without Borders. After learning that this organisation is on the move to help the original Americans, this means even more to me. So here is your chance to help that organisation!
This is a cry for help from Hector Martinez against the censoring of Youtube. Hector is the president of the naturist community in Mexico. His cry, however, is not limited to Mexico. It goes out to all of us, naturists and nudists.
Youtube terminated his naturist channel on May 16th 2020. Hundreds of videos are gone. Thousands of subscribers are suddenly void of this important source of information.
After watching and listening, could you please join the movement and sign the petition at Change.org and act against the censoring?
Please also share this post / video / link to as many naturist friends as you can.
Thank you. Not just from Hector, but every naturist who values the freedom of expression.
Last week I was listening to the latest Naturist Living Show podcast. (The link will take you to the right episode. If you read this ‘in the future’ the current latest will be a different one. 😉 ) This episode is about Nude Music.
I love music. I am not sure if I could be happy without it, so this was a very interesting episode.
In this episode, there was a long interview with The Soap Girls. Two French sisters who live in South Africa. Their music is an intriguing mix of stuff, with a lot of punk mixed in.
They have a lot of powerful statements about nudity, body positivity and more. Instead of transcribing the entire interview, I suggest you give it a listen.
