Dear LPG readers,

It is said that nearly every adult possesses two personas: the one they present to the world and the authentic ‘them’ that remains largely concealed within. Considering the wealth of experience that age brings, I ponder how many readers would concur.

I have always been someone who likes to feel that they have nothing to hide, but a recent conversation I found myself part of made me reflect on just how truthful even the most honest among us are. The conversation stemmed from a chat that initially had nothing to do with this topic. However, have you ever noticed that nearly every social discussion can start with various generic subjects and inevitably lead to something deeper? At the same time, all the participants begin to delve into one of the most unexpected topics in more detail than one might have ever imagined.  

This chat involved around seven of us (a mix of ladies and gentlemen of a certain age) and began with a simple ‘hello’ but quickly shifted to discussing the items on our bucket lists. One person’s wish to experience being a naturist just once became the main focus.  

We found it surprising that one of our older ladies brought up the item rather than one of the men, as it could typically be expected that such subject matter might have deteriorated from there. The rest of us had to agree that the reasons for including the item on her list were intriguing.  

She mentioned that most women of a certain age, including herself, are, in her view, much more aware of the changes in their bodies as they age. Our bucket list owner remarked that she would have struggled to embrace her body when it was at its most aesthetically appealing and emphasised that her reasons for wanting to try nudity at this stage of her life were certainly not to attract any attention from prospective new partners. 

In her opinion, having the confidence to stand up and be seen while wearing nothing but your birthday suit is certainly one definitive way to demonstrate that you have nothing to hide. She also mentioned that it is the ultimate approach to levelling the playing field. She argued that, when you first meet anyone, how they are dressed can greatly influence your perception of them before you’ve even spoken. Her theory was that if we all dressed as we were born, we might harbour preconceptions about body size or the scars life has left on us; however, knowing that we would also be ‘checked out’ might make us less inclined to focus on the various bits and bobs that distinguish boys from girls.

We then discussed how Adam and Eve did not have an issue with it until the ‘fruit and snake’ incident, and theorised that the things we all attempt to conceal have triggered our taboos regarding not wearing clothes in public. 

We all made a slight pledge to find a club or perhaps that beach in Brighton and plan an outing to try it out one day next year, although I suspect that such an outing will always seem to be pushed to the ‘next year’s diary’ as the year progresses.  

Since that conversation, I have maintained that I have absolutely nothing to hide; however, I have also concluded that the rest of the world is unprepared for what I would be forced to  present,  unless everyone is fully involved!

NL. Crofton Park

… LPG found a few internet theories on the benefits of parting with all your clothing…

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LPG found some information for people who might like to have a go at this pastime…

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