I thought with the new article and campaign Get Real https://www.anaturistworld.com/article/46456/get-real being launched this week it would be interesting to have a Forum Topic based on the ideas currently shared under the Get Real! article and also any other thoughts and angles that you consider the term Get Real! could entail in relation to Naturism and ANW. 

To us naturism is grounded in a firm sense of Reality - Honesty, Openness, with Genuine and Respectful behaviour - it connects us to how we are supposed to be, it bonds us in a more truthful way than society currently looks at when confronting social differences and it encourages us to be content with the Real Bodies we have and the Real People we are. Reality is a bog part of ANW too. We want to encourage Real People doing Real things with Real Naturism. Fakery is a big problem on the internet and social media - and we want ANW to be a part of the internet that is Real. Real Feelings, Real Experiences, Honest Ideas and Genuine Friendships. A world away from Penis Profiles, Men pretending to be Women, and the majority simply after there own kicks - sexual, pestering, bullying, attention seeking, sarcastic, showing off, patronising, etc etc. 

Read the above linked Get Real article and share your more in depth thoughts into how we can use this idea, how we can Get Real in different ways, and how you personal find naturism (and ANW) helps you Get Real.

We are glad to see this on the forum, the blog is good, but here there is more space for a good discussion.

Getting real about society is an interesting point, our biggest gripe has always been the way we see national organisations bleating about how society will never accept us, and what about the children, and we really do feel it is overplayed far too much, and has become one of a few points we refer to in our blogs as, “Fear Rhetoric.”

For the last two years, because Rob does get a bee in his bonnet and go looking for answers, we have both focused a great deal on the public, Rob has no qualms talking about the body and being positive about the naked form, and he does engage a lot of people, he is also a very studious people watcher, and so on things like the WNBR, he does not really watch the ride, he is far too focused on the public, and their reaction.

There are always the very few “Born again Puritans” who see nudity and go into a meltdown, but in general, the public are not that concerned. Most of them see it as a fun or eccentric thing, but they are not disturbed or offended, most smile and giggle, and when you talk to them, which Rob always does, even when he is naked and they are dressed, you do get some really interesting insights. Most will tell you they think you are brave and admire that fact you are so at ease, most will tell you they really wish they had the strength to do it, and you do get the “I would love to try it, but I am not as brave as you.”

Rob always goes with the line, “The fear is far greater than the act.” He then points out how it is actually easy and very rewarding, and also points out all of the health and mental benefits, and it is surprising how people who have just told you they never could, suddenly start to understand, that actually, they probably could. You see it in their eyes as they start to think about it, and you can almost feel the tension as they come to that awareness that they do indeed have the desire to try it. Most people are actually open to the idea, but more importantly than that, they suddenly understand why it is such a good thing, and they move into a place of understanding and acceptance.

We have always asked the question, “What is it naturists really want?” That is the key to talking with the public, because we believe that trying to convert people to naturism is wrong, that is an unattainable goal, what we believe is, “simply look to gain acceptance.”

Acceptance is the key to everything, trying to tell the world it should be naked will never work, so if we are going to “Be Real” we should all be seeking nothing more than the public’s acceptance, if they can live with us naked and them dressed, we have won, and can live life without interference, and we really do believe that should be the goal of every naturist.

It is a psychological fact, when you accept something completely, you are more likely to try it, and through that natural process, the number of naturists or part time naked occasionalists will grow. Being Real, starts with an admission that you love to be naked, and then the conversation that follows.

Getting real is indeed very important to naturism - meaning real people, in 3D warm bodies, getting together and spend time naked together.  Any inappropriate thoughts either go away, or manifest themselves physically so others know who are the rotten potatoes.  The end result is... people will come to know what's naturism is all about.  No matter how much our minds would be filled with all sorts of fear or fantasy at the beginning, 30 minutes in we all will have to deal with reality - that our naked bodies are what we have and all that we have.  When there's nothing to hide behind, we are forced to reveal our real selves.  We may not like ourselves in such openness but nonetheless we have to realize that we are who we are and can't be more than that.

To most people this is a much feared state after decades of hiding behind something, but once put into such a state they have to choose, either to be engulfed in fear and denials and have a nervous breakdown, or simply recognize that nudity can be a state of being.  Liberation comes with the latter.  We all know how simple it really is to get there, but not everybody does.

Thanks everyone.

Some interesting and valid thoughts and points Edward. You do wonder why people are so eager to share sexual things - it is so desperate. If this sort of thing ever happens on ANW do report it to us.

It is that word "unsolicited" that really counts - if everyone involved is on the same path then at least it is a mutual agreement - but when people ask for your email and then start sending things without warning it really isn't on. If people could just be real then they wouldn't waste their time and wouldn't offend strangers. These people on social media could ask outright "Are you interested in sexual sharing images etc - and then the other can cut to the taste and say "yes" or "no". It may be disappointing that so many people on social media want to to this but at least it would be honest. We had a subscribing member leave ANW recently because he shared an email with a non-verified guest and then that member sent a pestering style email about meeting up. ANW loses out because it loses a genuine member who leaves because he didn't expect such a user on the site. Really if someone says "lets share emails" you do have to go in with your eyes open - you have to be prepared for anything - particularly when they are stangers with no background shared. But also because the person in question just told us why he was leaving and didn't share who the guest was so we had no way of dealing with it. 

It is like when people stop going to beaches because of bad dune behaviour. They should report it and work with the other naturists and non-naturists to deal with it. This is illegal behaviour and it seems the only reason any naturist beaches ever ban naturists - we have to fight for naturism or we will lose it. We have to keep it real and be real about the problems too. 

I am surprised that family naturism is considered a touchy etc subject on ANW - we feel we are very vocal about naturism being suitable for families and very family friendly. Though we do know that we have an uphill struggle to show families, women and couples that naturism and the internet can safely go hand in hand. As we do feel that most of the internet is not very safe or welcoming. 

Nice thoughts from RnR too. It is sad isn't it that families and naturism do so much good. Bring a family to a beach and the other naturists are (on the whole) overjoyed. As we saw together at vault beach. People will say "It is so good to see you here as a family" and IT NEVER SEEMS CREEPY! But also it does so much good for non-naturists. Bring a family to a beach and enjoy beach games and play in the sea and suddenly naturism GETS REAL! It isn't seen as "what is that couple up to?" or "why is that man here by himself and naked?" but instead seen as exactly what it is. Harmless and fun, healthy and honest - and then all the single men, mixed and same sex couples suddenly also appear innocent and harmless too - which of course 99% of them are. It also encourages others to try naturism because the trust and safety exists. 

This is why families have to be front and centre - also because families are the majority of society - and also why beach use is so important. It is open and public. For naturism to Get Real it has to stop hiding behind gates - How is that Real? It has to stop pretending that families don't exist. How is that Real. We all know they do- so why hide the fact they do? The public won't trust naturism more, they will trust it less. "Oh yes I know naturism it us when a group of adults get drunk and disco up close into the early hours and then...." Then what? This adult party idea behind making naturism seem cool is the most crazy way to promote naturism to the public - who will it encourage? People who want something that Real Naturism doesn't offer. Get Real! We have to stop adult only from becoming the norm. We are organising walks and swims in the middle of the day - that have the ability to be public and high profile and we ban children - it is crazy! 

It is why we want as many people as possible around the world from ANW goiong to beaches, staying out of the dunes, being public and also sahring and encouraging here on ANW - and why we created this campaign https://www.anaturistworld.com/notice/46297/support-the-use-of-naturist-beaches-around-the-world-on-anw

Thanks abyaC you are right that essence of learning to Get Real does seem hard but then you realise it is actually really easy. It is the fact that it is Getting Real. If it was fake it would need to be worked on and forced. But it is so natural that when you try it you realised that nothing could be simpler. A big part of Get Real to us is getting people to realised that naturism is about being real, being natural and being yourself. We don't need to "normalise nudity" because it has never been abnormal - we have always had nudity within us, we just have to Get Real, wake up and recognise that.  

In our last blog we wrote, “Families are the heart of naturism, they belong there, because when they are at the centre, young singles feel safer, and tend to lean towards them, couples feel more relaxed, and the older generations are more supportive and offer good advice, encouraging everyone to join in. Newbies feel safer when they see families and children, and feel more like they are part of something they can attach themselves to, and it all adds to a natural mix that enhances the experience of everyone.”

This is not a thought or guess work, yes, this is our opinion, and we do clown around as a couple, but the statement is based on fact, observation, and enquiring conversation. We spent a lot of time with NWNS talking to the guests at all of their events, as we do at the swims of Worsley, most people know us for our blogs, and therefore they do open up to us. Just a month ago, one naturist approached us in the pool and asked if they brought their granddaughter along, we would we allow her to be introduced to our daughter, and we wholeheartedly agreed that would be fine. The reason for that is, we know from our own experiences and the knowledge of others, that promoting family naturism is the right way forward, and we will not deny, we have been told to be quiet about it from others who try to hide naturism and families from the outside world.

It is no secret our national organisation for a good while has tried to play down families and keep it all hush, hush. This year we were a force to be reckoned with, because we did speak out on forums, in conversations, private messages and on parent groups, we can be pretty loud when we want to be, but we did it because we are passionate defenders of family naturism, and we do not understand why every naturist is not the same. In a weird way, our loud voice, and our refusal to back down has paid off, the new families officer for the organisation has had many long and frank conversations with us, and we found agreement on a lot of things, and they will do their very best to influence those around them through their role. It is a small aspect of what can be done, and we hope our comments will help them as they work for the benefit of families within naturism, we will certainly support their efforts.

This to a degree is how we see being “Real” we talk, actually we talk a lot, but that is what all of us have to do, and although we do see the family unit as the heart of naturism, we also recognise there are other aspects that need to be addressed, and we do that in many ways, standing up for ANW is one aspect, as is backing Anna and Steve in their mission to produce and promote genuine healthy naturism to the world. Rob has a fast mind, sharp wit, and a lot of knowledge, he reads everything written, so we do not fear a person who has a disagreement with us. We do not argue with them either, our preferred choice is to sit and talk things through in a rational and dignified manner, and the reason we do this, is because we feel naturism needs a louder voice.

It is only our opinion, but we do not believe naturist’s should simply back down when confronted by misinformed people, all of us should state our case, because we all enjoy naturism, and in many cases for different reasons, but every opinion is a valid one, and that is what we stand for when we speak out. Being real, is a simple as saying to someone, “Actually that is not true, you have been misinformed.” Nothing more, simply add your own personal reasons and some of the many facts of why naturism works for so many across the whole world, because there are forces out there that do corrupt the narrative and twist it into something it is not, and we see the role of the naturist as the correctors of that narrative.

There is too much hiding behind the gates and the curtains, Anna is right, at some point if we want a future, we need to get real, come out of hiding and speak openly with a confident voice, and it does not have to be from the town hall steps, it can be as simple as talking to one person at time, which is all we have done, but we know for a fact we have changed the thoughts of a good few. They may not rip off their kit and join us, but they no longer stand in judgement, and that is very real progress. The narrative can be changed, all we need to do, is get real, and start the conversation.