Great read. Excited to read more. It is refreshing to see someone who has such a comfortable control of the English lexicon beyond the five cent words which are so commonly used.
We're here and we're on your side. I'm 64 and if I could have done what you're doing now when I was your age, I probably would have. Because the internet was only in its infancy when I was in my 20's, I didn't even know that nudism was a thing until I was in my late teens and even then I thought it was only a thing in Europe. I learned when I was 25 that there was a nude beach just a two-hour drive from where I still lived with my parents. Conveniently, I had just bought my first car a couple of weeks earlier. I mark my "official" life as a nudist from my first visit to that beach a week later. Mind you, I had always spent as much time naked as possible as a kid, to the consternation of my parents, but, like I said, I didn't know that there was a term for people who didn't like to wear clothes. I loved writing (and still do) and graduated college with a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing with the intention of going into either advertising or PR. But, I was also good at math and had an early interest in computers and, when I was offered a well-paying job as an analyst, instead of a writer, I changed career paths. I started taking camping vacations in Vermont every year, though. I would spend a week or two camping in the Green Mountain National Forest, nude except for socks and hiking boots, exploring, writing, cooking on a camp stove and enjoying life away from computers. The longest I ever got to do it for was 12 days. You get to do it every day. Enjoy it. Savor every minute. Even when it's hard (I follow a few van-lifers on YouTube, so I understand that it IS hard). It'll give you more to write about and more great stories to tell when you're my age. I just discovered your Substack today and I'm looking forward to catching up and going along with you on your journey.
I am happy to find that your generation can still write so well and that you have chosen to give some time promoting the benefits of just being nude in nature or in a van as a nomad. Hopefully, many people will get your message and walk away from consumerism, chemicals, artificiality and can enjoy a simple life. I am a naturist since I was a teen in Germany, never started makeup, no bra, just happy in nature.
Thanks Claudia, I've been an avid reader since I first learned, and it helped me become a professional writer. My mother bought me a bra to wear in school, but I never wore it (don't really need to 🙄).
Have you seen the movie "Nomadland?" I have a biological 3/4 sister who does that. Lives on Social Insecurity and possibly a small pension and travels the country in a pickup towing a small trailer.
I used to live in a van in LA when I was a 20 something. Most of the time I was parked behind a wargaming shop. The owner like having me there because I kept an eye out for burglars and such. It did give me the freedom to just go somewhere without any advance thought. I was naked whenever it was warm enough and I thought I could get away with it.
But that was 40 years ago. I have a wife and family now and am retired. I still live in the LA area and know all the rarely used trails in the National Forest where I can get my kit off for a few miles and a few hours.
It is wonderful that today it is possible to "work from home" where that home is almost anywhere a cell or Starlink signal can be had.
I watched Nomadland, but felt depressed afterwards. It paints such a sad portrait of someone suffering from emptiness. I like to think I'm living more happily.
We run a nudist retreat in new south wales, australia. We are at this time of the year naked 24/7 - even whilst building our nudie walking tracks which is now nearly 4km (a work in progress !) shoes are a must for that activity though! Love get around barefoot and being completely naked! awesome! Best regards, Ian and Yolanda ( twin falls nature retreat )
Bravo. Welcome to this (rather small) club. Promoting naturism is an uphill slog, so keep at it and forswear discouragement. Being naked in a hostile world ain't easy.
I love this post! It's beautifully written... and very funny! I'm looking forward to reading more of your thoughts on naturism.
Great read. Excited to read more. It is refreshing to see someone who has such a comfortable control of the English lexicon beyond the five cent words which are so commonly used.
Thanks for posting this, I look forward to reading more of your work.
Subscribed! Looking forward to your posts.
Terrific style and compelling content - I look forward to reading more!
We're here and we're on your side. I'm 64 and if I could have done what you're doing now when I was your age, I probably would have. Because the internet was only in its infancy when I was in my 20's, I didn't even know that nudism was a thing until I was in my late teens and even then I thought it was only a thing in Europe. I learned when I was 25 that there was a nude beach just a two-hour drive from where I still lived with my parents. Conveniently, I had just bought my first car a couple of weeks earlier. I mark my "official" life as a nudist from my first visit to that beach a week later. Mind you, I had always spent as much time naked as possible as a kid, to the consternation of my parents, but, like I said, I didn't know that there was a term for people who didn't like to wear clothes. I loved writing (and still do) and graduated college with a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing with the intention of going into either advertising or PR. But, I was also good at math and had an early interest in computers and, when I was offered a well-paying job as an analyst, instead of a writer, I changed career paths. I started taking camping vacations in Vermont every year, though. I would spend a week or two camping in the Green Mountain National Forest, nude except for socks and hiking boots, exploring, writing, cooking on a camp stove and enjoying life away from computers. The longest I ever got to do it for was 12 days. You get to do it every day. Enjoy it. Savor every minute. Even when it's hard (I follow a few van-lifers on YouTube, so I understand that it IS hard). It'll give you more to write about and more great stories to tell when you're my age. I just discovered your Substack today and I'm looking forward to catching up and going along with you on your journey.
I’m interested and ready to read what your imagination writes
I don’t post nude photos of myself either.
The first rule of a happy marriage is: “Thou Shalt Not Shame or Embarrass Your Spouse.”
The first rule of male adulthood is: “Don’t Let YourDick Do Your Thinking.”
The second rule of male adulthood is: “Nobody is Interested in Your Dick.”
I did read and agree.
I think you meant “gilded.”
I l💖ve your (blog) writing, Julia - you are extremely witty, pithy and switched-on. I look forward to reading your fiction...
I am happy to find that your generation can still write so well and that you have chosen to give some time promoting the benefits of just being nude in nature or in a van as a nomad. Hopefully, many people will get your message and walk away from consumerism, chemicals, artificiality and can enjoy a simple life. I am a naturist since I was a teen in Germany, never started makeup, no bra, just happy in nature.
Thanks Claudia, I've been an avid reader since I first learned, and it helped me become a professional writer. My mother bought me a bra to wear in school, but I never wore it (don't really need to 🙄).
Have you seen the movie "Nomadland?" I have a biological 3/4 sister who does that. Lives on Social Insecurity and possibly a small pension and travels the country in a pickup towing a small trailer.
I used to live in a van in LA when I was a 20 something. Most of the time I was parked behind a wargaming shop. The owner like having me there because I kept an eye out for burglars and such. It did give me the freedom to just go somewhere without any advance thought. I was naked whenever it was warm enough and I thought I could get away with it.
But that was 40 years ago. I have a wife and family now and am retired. I still live in the LA area and know all the rarely used trails in the National Forest where I can get my kit off for a few miles and a few hours.
It is wonderful that today it is possible to "work from home" where that home is almost anywhere a cell or Starlink signal can be had.
I watched Nomadland, but felt depressed afterwards. It paints such a sad portrait of someone suffering from emptiness. I like to think I'm living more happily.
Love reading so far. Keep writing!
Greetings Julia,
We run a nudist retreat in new south wales, australia. We are at this time of the year naked 24/7 - even whilst building our nudie walking tracks which is now nearly 4km (a work in progress !) shoes are a must for that activity though! Love get around barefoot and being completely naked! awesome! Best regards, Ian and Yolanda ( twin falls nature retreat )
Sounds like a great place, thanks!
Bravo. Welcome to this (rather small) club. Promoting naturism is an uphill slog, so keep at it and forswear discouragement. Being naked in a hostile world ain't easy.