We often jokingly warn people that naturism can be addictive. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll be wanting more. That’s only half a joke because very few of those who tried end up not liking naturism and returning to a fully clothed life.
And even among those very few, not all of them are lost. During our travels, we also met quite some naturists who quit naturism at one point in their lives but eventually did return to our unclothed way of living. People change and so does naturism. So if you’ve ever gone nude and did not enjoy it, here are five reasons to give it another try.
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1. Naturism has changed
One of the reasons why some people didn’t enjoy naturism is not because they didn’t like the social nudity part, but because they couldn’t enjoy the whole organisation of naturism. We get where this comes from. Several decades ago, naturism used to be a much more strict lifestyle than it is today. Naturist clubs back in the day often didn’t allow smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating meat. And the general idea was that you were naked as much as possible. Read: whenever the weather allows it. This also meant that you were supposed to be naked in circumstances in which you may not feel completely comfortable, like when doing sports.
These clubs do still exist, and that’s a good thing because there are naturists who hold strong to the original philosophy. But there are also many clubs that have adapted to the needs of the “new naturist”, or to the naturists that have different wishes and needs. Thanks to the internet, it’s now easier than ever to figure out whether the rules and values of a naturist place are a good match with your personal expectations.
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2. There are more naturist places now
Other reasons that we hear are that there just wasn’t a naturist place or nude beach nearby, or that they didn’t like the one nearby place. If you have to drive many hours to visit a naturist resort, it’s not uncommon that you start questioning whether it’s really worth the effort (and money). Especially if you haven’t been a naturist for all that long, it might be easier to just let the idea go and do something else with your time. Something you can enjoy much closer to home.
Eventually, you just forget about your wish to become a naturist. This is a pity because naturism is growing in many parts of the world. For example, if you lived in Latin America a decade or two ago, there was only one country on the whole continent where you could enjoy social nudity. Today, pretty much every Latin American country has a naturist beach, venue, or club. In the United States, there is an uprise of small naturist places like B&Bs. During the last decade, naturist places have been popping up in Asia. Down Under, GetNakedAustralia started organising nude events focused on a younger public. There are many more examples like this, so you may want to have another look at the options in your area.
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3. Turn a negative experience into a positive one
Maybe the most common reason why people turn away from naturism is, unfortunately, because they had a negative experience. Especially if this was their first naturist experience, it may happen that they will never give naturism another try. Although we often say that naturist places, in general, are very safe and enjoyable, there are always exceptions. One or two rotten apples can ruin your experience completely.
If we had been pestered by gawkers or ended up at a sex party on our first naturist experience, chances are that we also had never tried it again. We’d probably have thought that “if this is what naturism is about, it’s not something for us”. And that would have been the end. When we think about this now, and about how big a space naturism has in our lives, what a pity would it have been if such a thing had happened to us.
So if you decided to quit naturism because of a negative experience, we would strongly urge you to give it another try. This is also why we recommend first-time naturists to pick a private place rather than a public nude beach. Because private places are better monitored and the chance of a negative experience is much less.
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4. You have changed
Someone once told us about how she used to visit naturist resorts with her parents. When she got into puberty and lots of weird things started happening to her mind and body, she turned away from naturism. Years later, she started going back to naturist resorts. With her family. She had realised that her naturist experiences as a child had a positive effect on her life. And that this was something she wanted to pass on to her own kids as well.
There are many reasons why teenagers turn away from naturism, but not being in the perfect mental state also happens to grown-ups. Maybe you had body issues and you just could not get used to the fact that others could see you naked. Maybe you were in a relationship with a partner who didn’t want to have anything to do with naked people. Maybe the whole concept of naturism just looked plainly ridiculous to you.
The thing is that people change. And so do you. You are not the same person that you were a decade ago. So maybe now is the right time to see if also your ideas about naturism have changed.
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5. Take a walk on the wild side
The other day, we heard the expression “quarter-life crisis”. We had no idea that this is a thing and honestly, we’re pretty happy that we didn’t know this existed when we were at the quarter-life age. But we did know about something called mid-life crisis though. And maybe we’ll once learn about a “3-quarter-life crisis”. Or any other crisis. Basically, it all comes down to the same thing, and every one of us probably passes through a stage like this one day or another.
It’s just that moment when you wonder whether you’re life is actually going the way you’ve always imagined it would go. When you realise that you have forsaken your childhood dreams and became what “the system” wanted you to become. This is also the time when people do crazy things. Some spend all their savings on a car (or a hooker), and some quit their high paying office jobs to start a life of travelling and blogging. But it doesn’t need to be that drastic, because all you really need is a good step out of your comfort zone.
This is where naturism comes into play. If you want to do something different than the large majority of the other people, something that is considered a bit strange and uncomfortable, a visit to a naturist resort might be exactly what you are looking for.
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Some of the reasons my wife gives for feeling uncomfortable on our visits to clothing optional beaches is the male/female imbalance and that some of the men are “creepy”. She also so far can’t get over the psychological steps of being naked amongst other people and being surrounded by naked people.
The continued male/female imbalance may also prevent former naturists from returning to locations where naturism is allowed.
The male/female imbalance is a universal problem in naturism. For many women, body image is engrained in their minds from an early age by the fashion, diet, fitness and media industries, making them question themselves and their bodies. That’s the main reason for the gender imbalance. And once the imbalance starts in any given place, the problem is self-perpetuating.
I don’t agree this is a universal problem. The local nudist beach here in Spain is very popular and I believe the ratio of male/female is similar to any other locale beaches. Same for the ages ratio: many families there too, with as many old and young people as any other beach.
But I see what you’re talking about though. I’ve been to a nudist beaches in France and there was a majority of men and old people. In this case a remote not so popular beach, with a clear distinction between nude and non-nude beaches.
My hypothesis is that this is due to the strong distinction between nudist and non-nudist beaches. On the local nudist beach here there is no such distinction: the beach is as popular with nudists and non-nudists. I believe many people started textil and then one day seeing other nudists around started thinking: why not try it? On the other hand a nudist only beach with strong separation can be intimidating for those who are not used to it.
By “universal” I mean the issue of gender imbalance is a difficulty that is experienced in many Naturist circles worldwide – not necessarily on every beach, as you point out,
But you raise a good point, Tony, and one of the reasons that our group are strongly opposed to the establishment of any official nudist beaches in New Zealand.
Experience has shown us that both naked and clothed people are perfectly happy intermingling on our beaches and other outdoors spaces and, yes, we have certainly inspired many clothed people to give skinny dipping a go. Gender imbalance is far less of an issue on our beaches than in the clubs, which find it necessary to restrict the number of single males wanting to join them. I’m sure that happens in many other countries as well.
Regarding naturism in Latin America, maybe I don’t know about the whole place, it’s huge anyways, but at least in Mexico you could always had gone to Zipolite from the 60’s onward (not a decade ago, but more than 30 or 40 years ago, it was way cheaper, way funkier, way more basic, but non the less absolutely irresistible), then you had a lot of beaches in the Caribbean side like in Tulum, right where that beach starts (it used to be Cabañas Santa Fe in the early 90’s) it was completely clothing optional, it disappeared when that beach became really popular unfortunately in the late 90’s, but you at least had those places long time ago, might be limited but they were options you know.
Number four really spoke to me. I’ve had periods of time where I stopped. I accept it as part of who I am. I take advantage of opportunities when I get them. I don’t know if I’ll ever get to go to a naturist place. I might be able to convince my wife to try a clothing optional B&B near us.
I am a naturist from Indonesia, here the choice of life to become a naturist is very heavy, it is very difficult to find a place to express yourself. and to find a community of fellow naturists is also very difficult, most of them on social media are naturists who are sex-oriented, mostly like that. Yes, I just hope that someday naturists can be accepted by society, because it is the human right of every individual to do what they like but not harm others.
“Other reasons that we hear are that there just wasn’t a naturist place or nude beach nearby, or that they didn’t like the one nearby place. . . . Eventually, you just forget about your wish to become a naturist.”
Well, here’s the thing: What is a “Naturist” anyhow? The I.N.F. definition is simply: “A way of life in harmony with nature, characterized by the practice of joint nudity, having for goal to support self-respect, the respect of the others and the environment.”
When you think about it, respect for the environment, other people, and your self, should be important ambitions for everyone – not just naturists. So that just leaves taking your clothes off as the thing that really sets naturists apart. And you don’t even have to be a naturist to do that either!
So it all really comes down to the label: “Naturist”. Many people enjoy being without clothes, both alone or with friends and family, who don’t carry any label such as “naturist” or “nudist”. To them, it’s just a part of life.
The point is, it doesn’t matter if there isn’t a recognised, official “nude place” that you need to go to in order to be a “naturist”. You can be a naturist in your own home or back yard – either by yourself or invite friends around. And there’s every likelihood you can find some nice secluded spots in the outdoors to run around naked anyway – it doesn’t always have to be an official place!
Onlangs (2019) en na jarenlange wereldreizen een vakantieverblijf gekocht in Spanje. In het verleden regelmatig op zoektocht geweest naar unieke naaktstranden die voldoen aan onze minimum verwachtingen wat betreft netheid, veiligheid en faciliteiten. Ook nu in Spanje niet evident om een makkelijk bereikbaar naaktstrand te vinden met ligzetels, parasols (te huur), toiletten, douches met een leuk strandbarretje voor een hapje en een drankje. Meestal aan het einde van een reeks veel leukere textielstranden, ongezellig, pijnlijk heet veraf van de parking en het gevoel er niet bij te horen. Vooral daarom en terecht, een no-go voor echtgenote èn eerlijk, ook een beetje no-go voor mezelf, een ‘ouder en strammer’ wordende salonnaturist.
Toch doorgezet en een passend alternatief gezocht :
Daarom voortaan steeds logeren in een net en gezellig naturisten B&B of hotel. Een beetje zoekwerk en uitproberen dan lukt dit wel. Is uiteraard duurder en niet steeds mogelijk om slechts voor enkele dagen of met een dagpas te genieten van het naturisme met gelijkgestemden.
Deze formule is ook de beste manier om de niet zo fanatieke naturist(e) of beginner naturist(e) te overtuigen en vooral comfortabel te laten meegenieten.
Michel (voorheen een salonduiker nu een salonnaturist!)
Eerlijk: We worden er zot van. Ligstoelen en parasols zijn voor ons niet top prioriteit, maar een leuke beach bar… komaan, vind dat maar eens op een naaktstrand. Maar we hebben ook het tegenovergestelde gezien. Wanneer er faciliteiten zijn, komen de geklede bezoekers er ook met horden naartoe. Wat het dan weer allemaal een beetje ongemakkelijk maakt voor de naturisten…