Nature in Us

I was introduced to backcountry naturism (that is, nudism) by peers, which led me to look for a local place that supported this practice. I fortunately found such a place, a health society established a century ago. The founders sanctioned private space for nudism, a practice from a European ideal of healthy outdoor wellness. I pre-scheduled a visit, and soon found myself immersed in sun, water and social wellness. It was a welcoming and liberating space, in which the lack of clothing soon became normalized. 

I returned and enjoyed camping out under nature's blanket of leaves, sky and stars. I was grateful to experience the club and practice ideals of acceptance — first of self, then of others. One’s vulnerability is brought to the fore, but is a state of mind. I needed to be here, grounded and connected with others of like mindset. This helped to leave behind unsettling personal and global disharmony. 

However, reality persisted, which I discovered in dialogue with a staff member. They shared how a storm took their home away on the Gulf coast. They felt fortunate to find this club where they could continue their nudist lifestyle, in good safe company. I thought how it honored our arrival into this world as vulnerable hairless animals.

I also heard a similar story from another staff member who was displaced by a storm. All of a sudden I felt collapse in the here and now. This lady was appreciative of being present, but was new to the lifestyle. She practiced resilient acceptance by joking that she wasn't thrown out after conforming to the dress code.

These women I encountered were real refugees, climate refugees. I didn’t think of them that way immediately. They didn't fit the stereotype of foreigners with broken English, tattered clothes and disheveled appearance. Still they were refugees, and from my own country. I thought about societal change after the collapse of social order, where some places of resilience would allow choice. This club was a hint at that.

I was glad to venture out and explore new grounds, and equally so with my spouse joining later, for the experience of leisure and recreation. The older adult staff were welcoming. Their non-verbal demeanor indicated that all was well. I suspect they were not collapse aware, but were simply happy to practice a non-judgmental attitude and live life in accord with a different set of norms. 

I sought refuge from disharmony and found it. The key was being publicly genuine, with shame deprogrammed. 

I think that when all is lost in the storms of the near future, we only have ourselves to come to terms with and acknowledge. I ask if we are living to the fullest that we can. This I find to be better conducted not in our abnormal society, but in a community that pursues ideals — that redefines the norm and embraces it. This can uncover our human nature, and make us aware of wider nature in all its potential and possibilities.