June open forum

It's only natural to be naked in the Great Outdoors

Sometimes I sit naked on the steps leading to my dock, in the shade of the overhanging cedar trees, and close my eyes and listen to the soothing sounds of nature. (Photo: Jillian Page)

There’s a lovely article on the Yahoo Life site about a British naturist woman, Beatrice Berry, 29, that has so many good talking points, it’s hard to know where to begin with my post today.

Perhaps I’ll start with the article’s headline: 'Getting nude in the forest has helped my mental health'

I can totally relate to that. I live in a Laurentian forest in Quebec by a lake. I find sitting outdoors naked amongst the trees — sometimes closing my eyes and listening to the chatter of birds, red squirrels and other creatures along with the gentle lapping of the water on the shore — is the perfect salve for all the pressures of the remote work I do as a newspaper editor just steps away inside my home.

It’s that job that doesn’t permit me to show any naked photos — indeed, any photos — of myself in this or any other online setting. That’s something we’ve talked about here before, and I think many of you share similar restrictions. It’s also another talking point members can discuss in this open forum.

As Beatrice points out, there are some people out there who see social nudism as exhibitionism, or worse. Says Beatrice: “Sadly, my general experience is that naturist women get ogled and sexualised whereas naked men are perceived as perverts, neither of which is true.”

I think many of you — like Fred who shares so many of his wonderful freehiking experiences with us — who do venture out into public lands where nudity is permitted are mindful of that, and cover up when you are near people who might be offended by your nudity. As Beatrice says: “Having respect for those around me is important. For example, I always cover up if I’m in close proximity to families because I don’t want to cause any offence or fuss, or for them to think I’m naked for the wrong reasons.”

We don’t have the option in Quebec of naked hiking on public lands. We only have one public beach that unofficially tolerates nudists, and it is lovely to stroll along the shore there in the buff and feel the breeze on one’s body. There is a sense of body liberation there for me that is unmatched.

Stairway to heaven: These steps lead down to the lake. I often sit at various points along the path and soak up the sounds and scents of the forest. As Beatrice Berry says in her piece, it is good for one’s mental health.

An enchanted spot: There’s something very magical about this particular place. I often sit here.

But I can be naked on my own property because the neighbouring properties are also forested and you simply can’t see your neighbours. I am careful when I am sitting on my dock or skinnydipping, though, and do cover up when boaters paddle by or the neighbours are sitting on their docks.

Beatrice makes another good point (among many) that we talked about here just recently: As much as we might say that naturism frees us from our personal body hangups, we’re never really free of them. Says Beatrice: “As much as I think people want to romanticise naturism as being this glorious state of absolutely loving your body whatever shape and size you are, it’s not. There are days when I really don’t like myself — we all have them.”

I strongly urge you to read the article, if you haven’t already.

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As always, the monthly open forums are designed for reader discussion. You are not limited to the points I’ve made above. Talk about anything related to nudism/naturism. I hope you are all getting some good naturism weather — it has been quite lovely here, and I think the lake will be warm enough for skinnydipping any day now. I can’t wait!

A warm welcome to all new members. Don’t be shy: join in the conversations. This is your community.

And do remember: don’t reply to this email, if you are reading this in your inbox. Click on the link tab to comment, or go to our site.

Happy June, everyone!

Cheers

Jillian