In my previous post, I kicked off my series, “Living Lightly – A Joyful Guide to a Sustainable Life,” by busting the myth of more—how chasing comfort and status left us weighed down. This second post continues the introduction, “Rethinking the Good Life,” building on that foundation to redefine what progress truly means. Sustainable living isn’t a chore or sacrifice; it’s a joyful shift from endless growth to deep well-being, open to everyone—whether you’re navigating a city skyline, tending a rural vineyard, young with dreams ahead, or older with wisdom to share.
Let’s go!
For centuries, progress meant growth. The Industrial Revolution in the 18th century turned machines into marvels, boosting production and wealth, especially in Europe and North America. By the mid-20th century, GDP became the gold standard—nations raced to expand, equating bigger numbers with better lives. Advertising fueled this, convincing us that a new car or gadget signaled success. But the cracks show: burnout rates soar, with 80% of workers reporting stress in many studies, while climate reports warn of resource exhaustion. Growth has lifted many—rich nations thrive, poor ones aspire—but it’s left us disconnected, chasing a horizon that never arrives.
Growth’s promise falters when it prioritizes profit over people. In urban centers, I’ve seen me and friends work 60-hour weeks, our lives a blur of screens, while rural folks I know feel pressured to scale farms beyond what the land can bear and buying price for their goods plummeting. This run for growth ignored and still ignores well-being. Young people scroll for validation, older ones miss community, yet both crave peace. And, it strains the planet—deforestation for profit, oceans choked with plastic. But redefining progress flips this. Well-being comes from balance—time with loved ones, a walk in nature, a meal shared simply, a loving community. It’s about reclaiming of what matters.
Naturism amplifies this redefinition. Going bare strips away the need to prove, revealing a progress measured in laughter, not ledgers. I’ve felt this joy in quiet moments—sun on skin, wind through vines—accessible whether you’re in a high-rise or homestead. A young urbanite might try a naked yoga session at home or with a naturist group; an elder in the countryside might sit bare under an oak or join a nearby naturist walking group. It’s not about wealth or location; it’s about presence.
Philosophically, this shift echoes ancient wisdom. Stoics like Seneca valued inner peace over riches, while indigenous cultures lived by nature’s cycles, not growth charts. Today, in our cluttered world, redefining progress restores that harmony. It’s joy in a slower pace, freedom from endless wanting, reconnection with ourselves and earth—open to all, across divides.
To be continued…
So, reflect with me—where do you see progress in your life? Is it in more hours worked or more moments savored? Try swapping one growth task this week for a well-being one—like a barefoot walk or uncluttered evening. Share your thoughts below; let’s redefine this journey together.
Strip Nude, Stay Nude, Live Nude and Share the Nude Love!
