I’ve been a naturist for decades, and if there’s one thing experience has hammered home, it’s this: hiding your love for naturism and nudism does more harm than good. It breeds shame where there shouldn’t be any, and it robs you of the pure joy that comes from living authentically. Recently, I listened to the latest episode of the Naked Age podcast – “Making Space” with Dan Speers, a dedicated activist who’s spent years creating and protecting naturist communities. His stories about carving out welcoming spaces for everyone, no matter their background, really struck a chord. But what hit me hardest was the underlying theme of confidence: the quiet strength it takes to be open about naturism with the people closest to you, including children.
That episode transported me back to my own childhood summers in Croatia. My parents were unapologetic naturists. We’d pack up the car and ended up on a nude beach, where families have been enjoying nude recreation for generations. The beaches were alive with kids playing around, adults playing volleyball, everyone just… bare and happy under the sun.
What I remember most vividly isn’t the freedom of swimming without a soggy swimsuit – though that was heaven. It’s how my parents never hid it. Back home, when relatives came over, they’d casually pull out the photo album from our trips. There we’d be: me as a grinning kid, splashing in the waves, all of us nude, tanned, and utterly carefree. My mom would flip the pages and say matter-of-factly, “Look how beautiful the beaches are in Croatia!” No whispers, no embarrassment, no “hide this from the kids” nonsense. They treated it like any other family vacation – because it was.
At the time, I didn’t think much of it. But looking back, that openness shaped me profoundly. It taught me early on that bodies are nothing to be ashamed of. Nudity was normal, natural, and fun. There was no mystery or taboo that could later be twisted into something dirty. Studies back this up: children raised in non-sexualized nude environments develop healthier body image, higher self-esteem, and better boundaries around consent and respect. The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and similar organizations have long promoted these benefits, citing research that shows family naturism reduces body shaming and fosters equality.
Yet so many naturists I meet today still struggle with this. They love the lifestyle in private – at resorts, beaches, or home – but clam up when it comes to family or friends. “What if they judge me?” “What about the kids?” I get it; society’s hang-ups run deep. But here’s the no-BS truth: staying silent reinforces the very stigma we’re fighting against. When we hide, we imply there’s something wrong. When we share confidently, we normalize it.
If you’re ready to build that confidence and start being more open, here’s how I’ve done it – and how you can too, step by step:
- Start with yourself. Before telling anyone else, own it fully. Spend time nude at home, remind yourself daily why you love it: the comfort, the equality, the connection to nature. Confidence radiates from genuine comfort in your own skin.
- Choose your moments wisely. Don’t blast it on social media if you’re not ready. Begin with trusted people – a close friend over coffee, or a sibling who already knows you’re “alternative.” Share a positive story: “We had the best time at this clothing-optional beach – felt so freeing!”
- With family photos, keep it casual. Just like my parents did. Next family gathering, have an album ready (digital or print). Flip through vacation pics naturally. Include the nude ones without fanfare. Comment on the scenery, the fun, the relaxation. Most people will follow your lead – if you’re relaxed, they’ll relax.
- Talking to kids (yours or others). Be age-appropriate and straightforward. Young children? Explain it like this: “Some beaches let people go without clothes because it’s hot and feels nice, just like bathing at home.” Older kids? Dive deeper: “Naturism is about respecting bodies, equality, and not judging appearances.” Answer questions honestly, without oversharing adult contexts. This builds trust and body positivity early.
- Handle pushback directly. Not everyone will get it right away. If someone reacts negatively, stay calm: “It’s a wholesome family activity for us – no different from any beach, just without suits.” Offer resources like the AANR website or British Naturism’s family guides. Often, curiosity wins over judgment.
- It’s not about shouting it openly. Being an open and confident naturist does mean you have to show up naked everywhere or publicize it. You need to apply judgement as some people see naturism as wrong and you’re not going to change them. Don’t go public if backlash may hurt you, not everyone is ready to accept your naturism.
Over the years, I’ve seen this openness pay off hugely. Friends who’ve joined us on trips, relatives who now defend naturism when others mock it, and younger generations growing up without the body shame that plagues so many. It’s liberating – not just physically, but emotionally.
If you’re hesitating, ask yourself: What’s the worst that could happen? A raised eyebrow? And what’s the best? Living fully, authentically, and inspiring others to do the same.
Go ahead. Share that photo. Tell that story. Build the confidence – the world needs more of it.
Get Nude, Stay Nude, Live Nude and Share the Nude Love!
Three cheers for Croatia. In Canada, we nudists learned through the grapevine of a discreet photo developing and printing service; take the films to a drugstore and the police were likely to be called. It was even worse in the United States where body shame seemed to be higher. Today technology has largely settled that film problem but social media is not private and plenty of spying goes on. And cameras are everywhere: I take walks down the middle of the street before sunrise and people’s porch lights flash on as I pass. It’s a fine balance between openness and discretion — and the current GOP surge in the United States introduces plenty of flashing amber lights, so to speak.
I would say that this advice would work better in Europe than here in the States. Society here at the U.S. is too prudish and repressed to accept non-sexual social nudity – whether families/kids are involved or not. I have heard adults here in the U.S. disparage my ex-wife and I because we let one of our kids remain nude in the backyard on a hot summer day. It’s total B.S. but that is how things have been in the U.S. for quite some time (regardless of who is in the White House). One thing I am certainly glad you did not advise your readers to do is share their naturism/nudism with co-workers. That is very likely to end up in a sexual-harassment complaint that could result in one being terminated from their job. Society is sorely repressed here in the U.S.
Don’t think that everything is “roses and flowers” in Europe. Perhaps some countries like France, Spain, or Croatia have a more favorable view of naturism. But that’s not the case everywhere. Here in Italy, naturism is completely misunderstood and not accepted, and the situation is similar to the one you described in America, if not worse. In America, at least you have beaches and places legally dedicated to nudity, but here there are very few official nudist beaches (I believe less than 10), and many other beaches where naturism is practiced but without authorization or recognition, thus running the risk of being fined or reported to the authorities. There are no forests or mountain trails where you can wander naked except at your own risk. Obviously, at home I can undress and remain naked as much as I want, but outside the four walls of my home, the world is certainly not friendly to nudists. As I said, don’t think that ALL of Europe is a nudist paradise. That’s not the case.
I agree that nudism/naturism needs to become more visible and normalized. But everyone has their own situation they are navigating. I do believe that some people “might” not have too much to lose if their participation in naturism becomes widely known among their friends, families, coworkers, etc., But there are also a lot of people who could be affected very negatively.
I, myself, am very confident that my participation in nudism is morally above board, and physically, mentally, and spiritually beneficial. But there are situations in my life that would cause me to be careful of letting my nudism become widely known.
So you asked, “What’s the worst that can happen?” For me personally, there are close family members that have found out resulting in severe injury to our relationships. I love the naturist way of living, but that is secondary to my family. I am saddened that these people have lost their desire to keep me close as a result of my naturism, and am hoping to be able to repair that relationship.
I also have a mother and father that are very old. Due to other situations, it has become irrefutable that they are hopelessly set in their ways, and unwilling to consider anything outside their preconceived notions of right and wrong. That, in and of itself, might not be such a big deal, but they have also made the statement to sibling/inlaw sibling that if something they suspect and are dead set against pertaining to one of their close family members, became known for sure, they would rather die than find out. They would be heart broken. And while this situation is not about naturism, it would also apply. I do not want to break their hearts so soon before they die. I would rather keep it quiet until after they are gone. This is just another reason for keeping it under wraps, at least for now.
There are also people that would be in jeopardy of losing custody of their children, their jobs, and other close relationships. These and many other things may come into play and would be reasons they want to keep it quiet. I do understand that if someone does not accept you for who you are, maybe you do not need them as a friend. But some friendships, as well as many family relationships are more important than naturism, and are reasons to keep it quiet.
In a perfect world, we could all just “come out of the closet.” This isn’t a perfect world though. Hopefully, someday, there will be less visceral reactions to public nudity. But for now, some of us have to keep our way of life to ourselves.
Take care…! And happy new year .