Hi, I’m Luke. I’m going to skinny dip for the first time this septembare. I’ve thought about it a lot and I’ve got a plan to help me through it. This time I’m talking about why I want to do it.
I enjoy running and swimming. Since learning about the Streak for Tigers event at London Zoo and the Great British Skinny Dip, I’ve been curious to know how both running and swimming feel naked. I want to feel the water everywhere when I swim and feel the breeze everywhere when I run. I’m ok at running but could be better so I’m inspired by ancient Olympians who competed naked to harmonise the body with the mind. If it worked for them then it might work for me too.
Skinny dipping feels exciting because it’s new, scary and perhaps seems a little naughty too. It seems naturally a little scary and new to us newcomers who have spent almost all of our living moments so far clothed. It also perhaps feels a little ‘naughty’, knowing that it’s disallowed in some places.
It develops confidence, and here I’m trying to pinpoint exactly why. Maybe it’s because if you’re confident about your body then you’d become more confident generally. Maybe it’s because when you can comfortably be yourself and chat to others whilst naked, in what some people might refer to as a vulnerable state, then you’re likely to be really confident doing the same when you’re clothed. Maybe you feel confident because it’s a leveller and you suddenly feel on the same level as others with you. Or maybe you gain confidence just because you’re so pleased with yourself for taking that leap of faith in yourself by removing all of your clothes.
Another way of developing confidence is to step out of your comfort zone, which is how it feels to us newcomers. Stepping out of your comfort zone will make that zone larger. Baz Luhrmann (in his Everybody’s Free song) advised, “Do one thing every day that scares you”. Baz also advised wearing sun screen, good advice for naturists and is probably more effective these days than the layers of olive oil and sand which those ancient Olympians had to rely on.
Another reason I want to do it is to lighten up a bit. I’m quite sensitive and I think skinny dipping will help me not to take myself too seriously but to laugh at myself instead.
I’ve also been told, with enthusiasm, that being clothes free feels very liberating. I can’t wait to try it. All these benefits are to be had from just wearing less at the pool.
Next time I’m going to reflect on why my body is ok to show, and why I reckon yours is too. Thanks for reading. Back soon.
Luke