…but I am only 17. It started with me sporadically sleeping in the nude since last year and now for the past few weeks, that’s how I sleep everyday. My parents don’t fundamentally approve of it and got pissed at me for doing so. I mean I am well under the covers of my bed and I have my clothes next to my bed. So no one actually ever saw me naked. The reason my dad knows is because a couple of times he’s walked in on a late morning on a weekend day to open the blinds because he wanted me to get up and then deduced that I was sleeping in the nude by seeing my night clothes on the ground.
I just keep doing it because it’s not as if I am directly bothering anyone with my nudity in my bed (especially because I have my own isolated room) and my parents have resigned regarding the issue. When they expressed their disapproval some several weeks ago, I briefly told them why I like this way better (I have actually written an informal article regarding its physical and psychological benefits on another site).
However, now I am finding myself becoming more interest in naturism (nudism) in general.
If they see me locked up in my room a lot, they will know something is up and unless I have a plausible reason to do so, they’ll want me to stop. In that scenario, how should I go about telling my mom that I am interested in exploring naturism in the least uncomfortable way? Or is it better not to and just wing it until I am out?
I am also just curious in general: what are my options after I leave the house as an adult if I were to really become one? College? Post-college? How do naturists conduct life in general?
Basically, how should I go about pursuing this curiosity of mine (both right now with minimal familial conflict and later on when I am on my own)?
I don’t have much time right now, but I’ll try to give you some quickie answers.
First, I suggest you wait until you’re 18. In the mean time, Google to find some naturists resorts near you. I would be surprised if there was not one within a 100 mile radius. If nothing else, go to the AANR (American Association for Nude Recreation) website. They are sure to have a directory of resorts. They also have a FAQ that will answer a lot of your questions. Most resorts will also have their own website with rules and FAQs. Some places will not allow anyone under 18 unescorted.
Be aware, when I (and they) use the word “resort”, it’s a bit of a stretch. These places can better be described as campgrounds. Nice campgrounds, but campgrounds nonetheless.
If you’re male and single, you will encounter a little resistance at first. It’s a cultural thing and it’s understandable. But, if you mind your manners, you’ll soon be accepted.
Other option is to visit one of the vacation resorts in the Caribbean. Again, if you are a single male, your options are limited. These places are “resorts” and they are “nice” to “upscale” and they are not cheap. There, you pay a premium to be naked.
Sometimes when I am home alone I will get busy doing something after I get out of the shower and might find myself walking around the house nude for a couple of hours. It feels a bit strange but I kind of enjoy it. I certainly don’t see anything weird or strange about it.
If you live in a coastal area, there are likely to be “clothing optional” beaches within driving distance. If you can find some of those, you could hang out there.
Resorts or other organized “naturist” activities have a strong bias against single males. Too many lechers, it seems. If you can acquire a buddy of the female geometry to accompany you, it will get a lot easier (assuming here that you are of the male geometry). You may also be able to find activities catering to gay males, if that is of any interest to you.
You will probably find a lot of middle-aged or older people involved in naturist activities. There is a strong cultural attitude among nudists that it is not, repeat not something erotic or sexual. If you feel otherwise, you would probably feel pressured to keep that attitude well-hidden. You would need to NOT feel grossed out by seeing older baggy wrinkled bodies, pot bellies, low-hanging boobs, etc. Bodies is bodies; don’t be judgemental. (I have a bit of background in massage therapy, where the same non-judgemental attitude about peoples’ bodies is considered highly appropriate.)
I feel the need to write the above remarks because it’s not at all clear that “it goes without saying”. Even here among the enlightened people of the SDMB, we have seen discussions of locker-room behavior, with posters expressing disgust at seeing baggy old bodies walking around in the nude (ewwww)!
Sleeping nude feels good. I switched to that when I was 18. Wonderful no longer to get wrapped up in jammies. The freedom is its own delight. And, yeah, there’s a sensual/sexual component to it also, but that’s mostly due to the novelty. When you get used to it, it’s just the freedom from entanglement that you appreciate.
Swimming nude feels even better. It’s so damn sensual, it’s nearly sexual. But, again, this lessens over time. Still, try this for an analogy:
Swimming nude : Swimming with a bathing suit ::
Swimming with a bathing suit : Swimming fully dressed.
Going about various household chores nude is not sensual/sexual at all. Cleaning the bathroom is never going to be a delight or joy. But doing it naked makes cleaning-up, after, easier. You don’t get soap-scum on your shirt. Some household work, such as setting up bookshelves, is hot and sweaty work; doing it naked helps you keep cool, and you can wipe down with a small towel.
You extend the time between laundry loads. This alone justifies habitual domestic nudism!
Here, for example is one guy who is grossed out by seeing old naked people. That kind of thinking won’t really fit in well at a typical naturist activity.
To be sure, they are specifically talking about nudity in locker-room settings. But what else you can see on display in these threads is the range of attitudes that people have about their own bare-nekkid bodies and other peoples’ bare-nekkid bodies.
I have a little time now. **Senegoid **made some very good points that I will expand on a little.
The naturist crowd is an old crowd. At the local naturist resort, most of the full-timers are retired. I’ll pull a number out of my ass and say that the median age is probably 50. At the vacation resorts, the median age is a little younger, say 40-45. There are several reasons. The older people have more money, more time, and fewer insecurities. At 18, you may not find a lot of people your own age. At the same time, some resorts make a big deal of being “family friendly” so you many find one where the whole family lives there full time. You have to be comfortable with kids running around naked while you’re lounging by the pool.
This is a biggie. Especially if you choose to try an AANR resort. It’s part of their by-laws and I know of one resort in Texas that had their AANR membership revoked because they didn’t take this seriously enough to suit the AANR.
This isn’t as difficult as one would think. Especially after getting to know some of the people. Of course, it’s easy for me to say that because I’m rapidly approaching that age myself.
Exactly. I hesitated to post in this thread and I’ve refrained from posting in other threads on this subject because the threads usually turn into a bunch of sophomoric jokes and judgemental drive-by posts.
I have spent more time than the average person in nudist resorts, at beaches, old-timey European/Turkish bath houses and other venues where being nude is completely normal. I love it. Doesn’t mean I enjoy sleeping or cleaning house in the nude - I don’t - but in the proper context it’s very nice. There is no conflict. When I’m expected to be properly dressed, which is 99.99 percent of my life, no problem. I like clothes. They are warm and flattering and cute. When I occasionally have the opportunity to be somewhere nudity is accepted and no big deal, that is great. But it’s not like I make it a mission statement or lifestyle. It just means that I’m comfortable with it as an occasional option.
I see the main problem with the OP’s parents (and possibly the OP him or herself) - naturism is mostly really, really non-sexual. As in, most nudist resorts (except for places like Hedonism) are more prude and proper than your average Applebees or neighborhood bar. It seems the crux of the matter is the OP’s parents see it as sexual and naughty and not proper?
I mean I understand that naturism is not a sexual practice. My parents, unfamiliar with the idea, likely do, and that’s probably why they were disapproving of me sleeping naked when they first found out.
Sleeping alone naked doesn’t seem related to naturism at all. I usually sleep naked because I like sleeping naked, but I’m not interested in naturism. (not that there’s anything wrong with it)
Lots of people sleep naked. I don’t understand your parents’ objection if you have your own room.
I pull the blinds
Then I take my clothes off,
Dance around the house like Nature Boy.
My genitalia, and pectoral muscles
Aren’t quite what I would like them to be.
Sleeping in the nude is hardly a big deal at all, by the way. LOTS of people sleep in the nude; I’d hazard a guess that most of those people aren’t necessarily naturists. Hell, I sleep in the nude, but you won’t see me at a naturist camp.
For sure, once you’re paying for your own housing you can do what you want in your own home - although pulling the blinds/drapes while walking around naked at home might be a good idea. Not all neighbors are understanding.
My spouse prefers to be non-clothed at home when it’s just us, and I’m very much used to it by now. He keeps jeans and a t-shirt handy to throw on in the event of unexpected visitors. Myself, I usually wear clothing because I’m more comfortable that way at normal room temperature but when the places heats up in summer I will ditch the clothing.
We both sleep naked, but also own PJ’s/robes for when we travel to other peoples’ homes overnight or have overnight guests ourselves.
If you do make a habit of sitting around your own home naked a lot you may wish to park a towel under your butt, or have some sort of chair/couch/whatever covering that can be washed. Not to put too fine a point on it, but your naked butt, no matter how clean, still sweats. For clothing wearing people this is caught by their underwear or pants (if they prefer commando). If you’re nude, it’s caught by what you’re sitting on. I’m just saying, it’s a lot easier to wash a towel than a couch cushion.
Also, the warning about cooking bacon in the nude definitely applies. I recommend an apron at the very least, or a long t-shirt of some sort while frying anything. Also, the spouse is no longer allowed to use the soldering iron without wearing pants. Details will not be shared about that incident, except to say no permanent harm or scarring occurred. Basically, sometimes clothing is a very good idea from a standpoint of protection.
As a temporary compromise while you’re still under someone else’s roof, may I suggest the expedient I use when I’m a houseguest: silk (or silky polyester) boxers.
When I occasionally have the opportunity to be somewhere nudity is accepted and no big deal, that is great. But it’s not like I make it a mission statement or lifestyle. It just means that I’m comfortable with it as an occasional option.