As we try to disentangle ourselves from the systems put in place by society over the decades, centuries, and millennia, it seems as though there is another hurdle so many of us find it so hard to cross. That is how comfortable we are with ourselves. Our raw, naked selves.

Perhaps behind closed doors you can unwind by stripping down, but how many of our fellow human beings are ashamed, embarrassed, disgusted, or just uncomfortable with the body they're in? Rules are put in place that we cannot show too much skin, lest it suddenly be discovered that everyone has a body just like everyone else. That we really are so much more alike than different.

There is research that has been done by a Dr Keon West showing that nonsexual, communal nudity leads to feelings of self acceptance that can last for months afterwards. And more research is ongoing.

I'm not saying that everyone has to call themselves a nudist or a naturist and get naked with dozens of people, but we should be willing to ask ourselves, deep down, what is it that is stopping us from that level of familiarity with ourselves, our closest associations, or even a stranger on the beach.

#Nudism #Naturism #selfacceptance #grownostr