We went out for a 10 kilometre walk this morning. The sky was overcast and the temperature was -2 Celsius with a southwest breeze. We walked at a brisk pace for us, five km/hr. Being shorter than most, and being in our seventies doesn’t let us walk much faster most of the time. Now, we are back in our home with our fireplace enough of a heat source for me to feel comfortable in my own skin. I don’t wear clothing unless we have company or it’s time for a meal. It just is the way it is. In our home, that is normal.
When the weather is cooperative, I am outdoors in our yard the same way, clothing free. Our neighbours know that this is the case and have accepted that as normal. It’s not what one could call social nudity as I am the only one nude. Because of Covid, I haven’t been to the AANR-WC club closest to my home for two years, a club that is four hours distant from my home. Hopefully, that will change come next summer.
I’ve been reading a number of social media posts that have certain individuals want to control the nudist/naturist universe. The authors of these posts are adamant about who is or isn’t a nudist. For them, it becomes almost religious as though written in some sort of bible that just being nude does not qualify a person to self-identify as a nudist. Of course, in each of these attempts to “control” the narrative, these writers take it upon themselves do judge people as nudists only if these people do what the writers do, and how they do it.
Control of others is always an indicator that the person has a poor self-concept and needs to be constantly validated by others who “follow” willingly. It’s as if “Well, they are following me so I must be right and okay” is the needed drug of choice. Of course, it all comes down to “self” in the end.
I self-identify as a male, a father, a husband, a grandfather, as a naturist, as an author, as an Indigenous Canadian, as a Métis, as …. Well, you get it, I self-identify. Others may dispute any one part for whatever reason that comes to mind. However, when they do, it really isn’t about me, it is always about them. In depth psychology, it is called projection.
As a result, whenever I see a person or a group seeking to control others, I begin to think that the person or group has a real issue with controlling themselves. What are your thoughts?