Michelle Perry discovered naturism around three years ago, initially through a partner who was exploring it, and (after a few underwhelming visits to local naturist beaches) found her feet at EveryBody Festival, where everything just clicked. Now a British Naturism member and planning many more events, she shares her journey from years of body insecurity to genuine liberation.
Q. How would you describe yourself in a few words?
A. I would describe myself as warm, open and honest. What brings me joy are deep conversations, music and dancing, particularly if done naked in nature! I'm a passionate person who loves to experience life to the full, but has discovered it is in the simple pleasures that I feel most alive. Lying naked on the grass, sipping coffee in connection with others is true bliss, although throwing myself down a slip-and-slide covered in paint also has its moments of unbridled joy.
Q. How did you first discover naturism?
A. In a way I found naturism as a child. My mum loved to be naked, although she wasn't officially a naturist. Seeing her ability to feel comfortable in her own skin through being naked sowed that initial seed, although at the time it did not feel like that. It was actually only three years ago that the seed started to slowly germinate. I was dating a man who was exploring naturism and he encouraged me to come with him to some local naturist beaches. They were not necessarily the best start, although I am grateful, because I wouldn't be where I am now without him and them.
Q. What was your very first experience like?
A. There were stages, although the local beach was my first experience in a way. What came from going to that beach led to what I would consider my first real experience of naturism. I met my friend Nick there, and through him I ended up at EveryBody Festival two years ago. That was the turning point; that was when I experienced what naturism is all about for me.
Q. What were your initial thoughts or fears before trying it?
A. My fears were strong. I had spent most of my life trying to change and hide my body for fear of judgement (my own and others'). So exposing it for hundreds of people to see felt incredibly vulnerable. Although something inside me was telling me: if I can do this I can do anything, that it just might change everything, but in particular how I saw myself in the world and how I felt in my body.
Q. Was there anything that nearly stopped you from giving it a go?
A. So much nearly stopped me from going. In fact, my thought beforehand was: if Nick decides not to go, I will be okay with that. Even as we were packing the car I could feel my anxiety: what if people judge me, what if I feel really uncomfortable and people don't talk to me? But underneath all of that was also a little bit of excitement.
Q. How did you feel about your body before naturism?
A. My body has been various sizes throughout my life, sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller. But the constant is that it has never felt good enough, no matter its size. I have tried everything to mould it into what I had been conditioned to believe was perfect and acceptable. Over the last ten years this has slowly started to change for various reasons. I stopped trying to change and hide it and started to come into more acceptance of how it is, and to love it just as it is, although that has not always been easy or a straight line.
Q. Has that changed? If so, how?
A. Naturism was like the cherry on top, or the final piece of the puzzle, on that journey of body acceptance. Allowing myself to fully inhabit my body and be fully seen in all its beautiful imperfection, with others doing exactly the same, was the most liberating and body-accepting thing that I have ever done. It showed me what true acceptance is. How I feel in my body, in nature, surrounded by other people doing the same, is so joyful and connected; that is incredibly powerful. It's not about how I look but how I feel in my body in those moments, which is truly alive.
Q. Was there a moment where something "clicked" for you?
A. There were so many moments. Maybe one of the first was the first night at EveryBody when I sat down at a table full of other naked people and did not feel judged or vulnerable. I felt accepted, and felt more at home than I have ever felt sitting down with a table full of strangers while clothed. I found that in the vulnerability of being naked there was an ease of connection. Another moment was dancing naked under the stars, or throwing myself down the slip-and-slide giggling my head off (something I would never usually have done). But being naked gave me the courage and playfulness to do it.
Q. What does body confidence mean to you now?
A. Body confidence is not what I look like but how I feel in my body. It's about accepting and embracing myself just as I am. It's also about accepting there will be days when those critical voices might still creep in. In those times, I remember how alive I feel in my body when I'm naked, and fully connected to the joy that brings.
Q. What has surprised you most about the naturist community?
A. So many things surprised me. My original thoughts about naturism were that all the women would be young and perfect, as they would be the only ones who would feel comfortable naked. Seeing lots of people of all different ages, shapes and sizes was a massive relief and a reminder of how beautiful we all are in our own unique way. Talking to some of the women there and hearing how they feel about their bodies, I also realised that everyone has their insecurities, no matter how slim, young and beautiful they might appear to be. I also learnt that naturism isn't the absence of insecurities; it's about embracing them, by fully accepting and embodying your body just as it is.
Q. Have you formed any meaningful connections or friendships through naturism?
A. Oh yes, I have made some wonderful connections through naturism and I am sure there are more to come, especially now I have joined BN and plan to attend more and more events.
Q. If you've attended women-only spaces, how did that feel different?
A. I haven't attended any women-only spaces yet, but I would love to.
Q. Have you faced any challenges or uncomfortable moments on your journey?
A. The only uncomfortable moments were on the naturist beaches in the early days of opening up to being naked. It seems that some men go to naturist beaches for reasons other than naturism, which can make things incredibly uncomfortable. I am open-minded and feel that sexual expression is important, but not without the consent of others. This is why making naturist spaces safe for women is so important. I have never experienced any of these challenges at the naturist festivals and resorts I have been to.
Q. Have you ever felt judged (either inside or outside naturism)?
A. Surprisingly, my biggest fear actually never materialised; I have never felt judged, inside or outside naturism, about being a naturist. I used to feel judged outside naturism for how I looked, but I feel that has changed because how I feel about myself has changed. I'm less judgemental of myself, and that is definitely connected to naturism.
Q. What barriers do you think stop more women from trying naturism?
A. I think there are two barriers. The first is the way women have been conditioned to think about their bodies: feelings of not being good enough, of having to be perfect, of being judged and judging themselves. It can feel incredibly exposing and vulnerable to get naked. In fact, some women don't feel they can even look at themselves in the mirror naked, let alone be seen by others. Those messages ("I'm too big, too small, too wobbly, too old… too much or not enough in some way") get in the way. The second is around safety: will I be safe if I'm naked and there are naked men there? Will it become sexual?
Q. What do you wish you'd known at the start?
A. That naturist beaches aren't necessarily the best place to start (at least not in the UK). I've since been to naturist beaches in another country and that was a completely different experience. For me, starting with a small naturist event might have been a better first experience of what naturism is about, although I realise I only have experience of the local naturist beaches, and others in the UK might not be like the one I went to.
Q. What has naturism given you that you didn't expect?
A. Liberation from the constraints of my own imposed limitations. I now show up more authentically me in the world, I take up more space and allow myself to be more visible. Who knew taking your clothes off could do that?
Q. What would you say to a woman who is curious but nervous?
A. I would say: I understand your nerves; I've been there. But listen to your curiosity, because on the other side of those nerves could be the most liberating, life-changing experience. You never know. Like me, you might find yourself loving it and connecting with your body in a whole new and more accepting way. And even if it's not for you, at least you tried it and didn't always wonder "what if?"
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