Musings on Social Nudity

MORE Women Write about Social Nudity — Volume Two

A second collection of essays by female authors speaking out about the virtues of nakedness

Alright, so you’re ready to get naked. Welcome! You can sit, stand, lay down, be outside, be inside. Make yourself big. Take a deep breath and spread those arms out as wide as you possibly can. — Lila Boswell

About six weeks ago I published a story featuring women who write about nakedness, be that social nudity, body acceptance, or in some cases, simply personal relationships with their own humanity.

I thought it a worthwhile endeavor, simply from the perspective that when you go looking online for information about naturism and social nudity, nearly everything seems to be authored by men. That simply reinforces the age-old trope that clothing-optional activities are mostly about guys trying to seize the opportunity to see naked women.

Really? In 2022? Is that what we’re still thinking?

I’m not going to say there aren’t a lot of dumb-ass horny dudes out there who don’t know how to act like decent humans — naked or not! But I’ve found it inspiring to read really insightful pieces on MEDIUM, authored by women, who speak to the joy and freedom of nudity from the female perspective.

And thus, here’s VOLUME TWO of stories about nakedness by female authors, curated here for your reading enjoyment and introspection. I think it speaks to the universal nature of the human experience — the one that values finding a sense of comfort and genuine freedom when comfortable in one’s own skin.

I posted a link at the end, but if you want to jump to VOLUME ONE before catching up on my latest curated collection, you can do that here.

If you don’t know about Amy Sea and her publication called Breast Stories, you’re simply missing out. In this piece, she talks about showing up to a women’s luncheon where nearly everyone present has nude photos of themselves on their phones. One glass of wine into lunch, and everyone is passing their phones around the table. This is what she learned.

This piece is an interview by female author, Sarah Grunder Ruiz, who took the time to interview the international ambassadors of naturism, Nick and Lins of Naked Wanderings. If you’re even remotely interested in taking a nakation sometime in the future, this is a couple you should know. All the better that they were interviewed by a woman in this brief but insightful exposé. [Sorry. I couldn’t resist the pun]

Despite the alluring feature photo lifted from Unsplash, Carol Lennox comes to peace with her own social nudity over the course of several interactions with friends. She concludes, “Nudity with others isn’t usually about sex, although of course that can be a choice. It is about being vulnerable.” What a great read.

Another German spa turns the tide for the naked dubious. This time at the elegant Vabali sauna and spa in Berlin. Clearly a life-changing experience for Just P.A.U.L.A.

I love Brett Jenae Tomlin’s writing on many different topics. Here she reconciles her mother’s laid-back attitude with the rigid locker room traditions at your typical gym in 2022. Suffice it to say, she came to the conclusion that baring a bit of skin on the way to the shower isn’t going to kill anyone.

Is it fact? Is it fiction? Molly Freytag admits she may have embellished the story a bit along the way, but it’s a fun read from beginning to end. And… she seems to have some intel on where you might actually find a clothing-optional beach near Charleston, SC.

Ari Love gives yet another account of a day at Vabali Spa in Berlin. Spoiler — she loved it as well. By the way readers, Vabali is fairly new to the spa circuit in Germany. You can find their facilities in Berlin and Düsseldorf. Here’s what to expect there.

This author went on a path of self-discovery over time in photographing herself in various stages of undress. In the end, Claudette concludes that “The photos taught me to accept my body and changed my perspective in how I saw myself” A lovely story.

“Your body is perfect right now!” Lila Boswell discovered this truth during the pandemic. Now she advocates body acceptance through casual nudity in the almost post-pandemic world. Thoughtful and compelling.

I found this piece a bit melancholy as Sally Prag recalls the more daring behaviors of years past. Near the end of the piece, she admits, “the idealism of my naked youth somehow was snatched away.” But so many beautiful stories along the way — and a beautiful use of prose.

And, in case you missed it, here’s VOLUME ONE with ten more stories on the topic of nakedness by female authors. I find these all truly inspiring, causing me to take pause about my own journey toward body acceptance. Indeed, it’s a more turbulent ride for women, but I haven’t met a person who doesn’t struggle with the reality of living within one’s skin.

I hope you enjoy these inspiring essays as much as I did— perhaps over a cup of tea should you find a calm moment during this holiday weekend.

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