by Mary Jane Kolassa
As we embark upon a New Year many of us commit to improving ourselves…Eating healthier, exercising, learning a new skill, shedding bad habits, purging our closets and drawers to donate clothes to the needy.
Admittedly we are all imperfect beings and yet, isn’t perfection in the eye of the beholder?  Nudists certainly believe that the human body regardless of size or shape is how God created us – how we came into the world – and is therefore perfect.
If you are completely new to the nudist culture, it’s important to understand naturism’s principles as a physical and philosophical approach to living is one that values body acceptance, comfort, and freedom through nudity. Naturism is based in the belief that the human body in its natural state should be celebrated, not concealed. It helps foster self-esteem, self-respect, and respect for others and the environment.
Want to try something new in 2025? Try rooting some at-home nude practices in these ideas to help you grow mindful in your nudity, allowing you to benefit from naturism at a deeper level.
It’s a shame, but society basically trains us from a young age to conflate nudity with sex; and that we must repress those urges, so of course most of society has those associations. Flipping that script in the brain sometimes takes effort. But can be accomplished to temper the more primal urges and enjoy non-sexualized social nudity.
Visiting a nudist beach, club or resort for the first time is actually an act of bravery. It’s a moment where you can declare that there’s nothing wrong with me and that I’m worth knowing just as I am. In those few hours or days, you can create a space where you feel free and accepted in your “almost perfect” body.
So, I encourage you in 2025 to learn more on the benefits derived from nude recreation via the American Association for Nude Recreation at their website:  www.aanr.com. You’ll read testimonials from members, tips on etiquette when visiting clubs, a listing of affiliated clubs/resorts/campgrounds you can take a Nakation vacation to, how to join AANR, and more.
Happy Nude New Year, naturally yours
An aspect often left out is the inflated importance of “I” [or “we”] in many people and their cultures. “I this” or “I that” gives people the idea that, for example, when “I” am downtown shopping, people will see me as an identifiable person who has good or bad taste in fashion. “We” don’t want to be seen as ignorant or unaware, and so “we” conform to trends. A visitor from another planet would have great difficulty seeing the difference between the “outrageous” styles of teenage girls and the “conservative” styles of their mothers.
In a shopping mall, naked arms and legs are just fine, but naked breasts are taboo. In many places, there is no actual law against women wearing nothing on top–same as men–but for their fear; and fear is a very very strong dictator. However, if you were guaranteed no one would recognize you, you might relax your “I” somewhat. “I felt like a fool” is only applicable if you are known as an individual. Generally, you are seen as just a person.