Being raised to appreciate my body and not to feel ashamed nor embarrassed of being nude in from of other males. Having a nudist mentor to guide me through my early years of becoming a nudist. The bonding I've received with my mentor made for a closer relationship, friendship, and companionship as we did activities nude together. Building confidence in myself due to my mentor and confident to inspire myself that I can achieve any goal I set. Also gaining self respect. Some of the activities that would grow a stronger bond was hiking and swimming and jumping off a cliff. Also some domestic activities like cooking on a grill and baking other life skills. Thought my time with my mentor was short, having that mentor made me and molded me into the man I was supposed to be.
How were mentored and bonded to another male nudist? What is a memory you like to share of how you bonded with your mentor?
Replies
- SA
Stone AndyJan 26, 2024As a younger man I never found any good long-term mentors, clothed or naked. Perhaps it has something to do with having an unusual personality (INFJ). I even had a professional counselor tell me after three years of therapy that she didn't understand me (ouch!). One on one relationships are unfortunately viewed with suspicion in today's sexual abuse triggered world. That makes mentoring - especially naked - difficult. In addition, many people who could use help often don't realize it, so you're ahead of the curve in that way.
Here's my advice on mentoring: 1) Follow the old saying "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." 2) Understand you will likely learn and get more from giving than receiving, or being a mentor instead of a mentee. 3) Some people need A LOT of help and you really can't do much. Focus on them. Giving them attention and compassion is usually more important than "results." 4) Realize your tremendous power in reflecting back people's wisdom to themselves, helping them see their own answers. 5) Be willing to keep the mentor/mentee status flexible; I for one am often embarassed how much I have to learn from men young enough to be my son.s 6) Keep on showing up and you'll find answers in the oddest people and places - it's all a wonderful process. 7) Don't focus on clothes or nudism but consider your that birthday suit is the most comfortable, washable, vulnerable, free and honest one available.
Good luck! You are the gift!
ReactReply - KE
KevinOct 25, 2024Oh definitely. For me it was dad and grandparents. Mom was a little reluctant but was ok with casual nudity. But my dad raised me to be nudist and I'm raising my little one the same way. Having a mentor definitely helps. Usually the dads need to lead by example.
ReactReply - TD
Tom DOct 25, 2024No true mentor for me, but my grandfather was sometimes nude at home and didn't cover if I was there.
ReactReply - MEMemberOct 25, 2024
I suspect everyone has a different view on how a 'mentor' should attempt to guide a young man or even early teenager in the trials of life. This is true in both the textile & non world; I believe this effort has been sadly lacking across the board. Perhaps that would explain the magnitude of 'whacked out' behavior that seems to be so prevalent. Or, it could be the media just searching for 'clicks' and thus more revenue. Who knows for sure. But back to the topic, my mentors (unbeknownst to them) were mostly 30s & 40s men, professional, semi-professional & top level tradesmen who were involved in my sport. There were married, single & divorced athletic type guys all along the 'spirited' spectrum. Their behavior, sportsmanship, group rapport, obvious good nature and jovial acceptance of yours truly served as a perfect example for this somewhat 'unusual' young kid that felt effectively ostracized by his teen peers. They instilled in me a value system and ideals I still carry today. With this in mind, if you happen to be out participating in an activity, remember that someone is paying attention. You might not notice ... but they are. You can unknowingly make a huge difference in someone's future. It really can make difference.
ReactReply - DG
David GaffneyOct 25, 2024Growing up I had no mentor, I had to find my own way.
In doing so l lost a lot of friendships . Being a nudist and not being seen as a sexual deviant has been difficultReactReply - DGDavid GaffneyOct 25, 2024
Growing up I had no mentor, I had to find my own way.
In doing so l lost a lot of friendships . Being a nudist and not being seen as a sexual deviant has been difficultReactReply - TDTom DOct 25, 2024[quote]I suspect everyone has a different view on how a 'mentor' should attempt to guide a young man or even early teenager in the trials of life. This is true in both the textile & non world; I believe this effort has been sadly lacking across the board. Perhaps that would explain the magnitude of 'whacked out' behavior that seems to be so prevalent. Or, it could be the media just searching for 'clicks' and thus more revenue. Who knows for sure. But back to the topic, my mentors (unbeknownst to them) were mostly 30s & 40s men, professional, semi-professional & top level tradesmen who were involved in my sport. There were married, single & divorced athletic type guys all along the 'spirited' spectrum. Their behavior, sportsmanship, group rapport, obvious good nature and jovial acceptance of yours truly served as a perfect example for this somewhat 'unusual' young kid that felt effectively ostracized by his teen peers. They instilled in me a value system and ideals I still carry today. With this in mind, if you happen to be out participating in an activity, remember that someone is paying attention. You might not notice ... but they are. You can unknowingly make a huge difference in someone's future. It really can make difference.[/quote] What sport was it?ReactReply
- CN
Cool Nude DudeOct 26, 2024[quote]As a younger man I never found any good long-term mentors, clothed or naked. Perhaps it has something to do with having an unusual personality (INFJ). I even had a professional counselor tell me after three years of therapy that she didn't understand me (ouch!). One on one relationships are unfortunately viewed with suspicion in today's sexual abuse triggered world. That makes mentoring - especially naked - difficult. In addition, many people who could use help often don't realize it, so you're ahead of the curve in that way. Here's my advice on mentoring: 1) Follow the old saying "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." 2) Understand you will likely learn and get more from giving than receiving, or being a mentor instead of a mentee. 3) Some people need A LOT of help and you really can't do much. Focus on them. Giving them attention and compassion is usually more important than "results." 4) Realize your tremendous power in reflecting back people's wisdom to themselves, helping them see their own answers. 5) Be willing to keep the mentor/mentee status flexible; I for one am often embarassed how much I have to learn from men young enough to be my son.s 6) Keep on showing up and you'll find answers in the oddest people and places - it's all a wonderful process. 7) Don't focus on clothes or nudism but consider your that birthday suit is the most comfortable, washable, vulnerable, free and honest one available. Good luck! You are the gift![/quote] Great words of advice.ReactReply - CNCool Nude DudeOct 26, 2024
I think I had a great introduction to nudism. I didn't have a mentor or specific guardian. It was more of a village. I started nudism in Florida at Cliente'. I know that place has a reputation, but I was only there for the 5k they had that day. I meet up with a newbie nudist that I had met on Craigslist for the race (I know I got lucky with that one too. He was not a creep and is still one of my best buds to this day). After the race, him and I chilled by the pool and met a few more younger people. Some how I got introduced to the volleyball community down there and my world opened up. The nudist volleyball community/Tikis became my mentors. There are some many guys there that shared their experiences and made me feel welcomed. Even when I moved from Florida to Virginia, I spent my first weekend in Virginia at a nudist resort because my friends from Florida knew people up there. I am forever grateful. Now I am overseas and miss that community.
ReactReply - NU
NudeAllMyLifeOct 29, 2024I had some amazing nudist mentors growing up; primarily my dad but also 2 of his nudist buddies and the dad of a nudist family we were friends with. They taught me so much and were such amazing role models. They always made me feel included and genuinely liked having me around. I felt like they were my friends rather than just the adults in the room. They were very instrumental in me continuing to be a nudist from the time I was little until today without ever taking a break. They made getting through puberty bearable. Strange as it sounds, I preferred being with them rather than hanging out with my school friends. I have a much tighter bond with my dad because of his mentorship
ReactReply - DM
Dog-loving MaleOct 31, 2024With such great adult mentors and role models, no wonder you preferred to be with them to hanging out with peers. You learn so much from much older men, especially in a bare-it-all environment. You are so lucky. [quote]I had some amazing nudist mentors growing up; primarily my dad but also 2 of his nudist buddies and the dad of a nudist family we were friends with. They taught me so much and were such amazing role models. They always made me feel included and genuinely liked having me around. I felt like they were my friends rather than just the adults in the room. They were very instrumental in me continuing to be a nudist from the time I was little until today without ever taking a break. They made getting through puberty bearable. Strange as it sounds, I preferred being with them rather than hanging out with my school friends. I have a much tighter bond with my dad because of his mentorship[/quote]ReactReply - OP
opennudie3Oct 31, 2024[quote]I had some amazing nudist mentors growing up; primarily my dad but also 2 of his nudist buddies and the dad of a nudist family we were friends with. They taught me so much and were such amazing role models. They always made me feel included and genuinely liked having me around. I felt like they were my friends rather than just the adults in the room. They were very instrumental in me continuing to be a nudist from the time I was little until today without ever taking a break. They made getting through puberty bearable. Strange as it sounds, I preferred being with them rather than hanging out with my school friends. I have a much tighter bond with my dad because of his mentorship[/quote] It says a lot about your dad that he taught you such healthy and positive attitudes to nudity and also to masculinity, life, and friendship. And allowing his friends to also mentor you was also a demonstration of positive attitudes and his respect for you and for them. Like you, my dad was a wonderfully positive influence in my life. He wasnt a nudist but he knew I was from an early age and encouraged me to be myself. He was also cool with me having friendships with nudist men Id met at the place where I sunbathed. But NB before anyone jumps to negative presumptions - NO - please dont presume that all men, especially all gay men, which some of them were, are predators and harmful people!! Nothing bad ever happened. I was only ever treated with kindness and respect and I have only happy memories from those times. Because my dad was so open and non-judgemental we could talk openly about anything and so he knew I was safe and happy. The place where I sunbathed was near our home and he actually knew one of the older men Id met and with whom Id struck up an unlikely friendship. We met him outside a local shop by chance and Dad and him chatted about the sunbathing place etc. After that he sometimes phoned the house and chatted to both my dad and me. Dad and he got on well too and I sometimes visited his house during the winter. So many boys would have had to hide their nudism and all kinds of harmless things from their fathers. I was blessed to have the dad I did.ReactReply - NUNudeAllMyLifeOct 31, 2024
That is a beautiful story nudist_xz7104. Thanks for sharing that with us
ReactReply - JI
JimNov 6, 2024Amazing stories from everyone !
So lucky to have a Dad to be that open about being a nudist and growing up. Yes I had wonderful parents and I miss them so much. But I have wished that I became a nudist a lot sooner. I am a mentor to as many younger people and love hanging with the older generation. I just got back from a camping trip with only men. We all are so relaxed around each other and that being naked is so natural around them.ReactReply - JIJimNov 6, 2024
Oh I forgot
Naked hugs from other naked men are the bestReactReply - OPopennudie3Nov 7, 2024[quote]Oh I forgot Naked hugs from other naked men are the best[/quote] Well said! Its sad that so many males of all ages miss out on that!!!ReactReply
- BOBoundlessNudistMay 2, 2026
My Dad introduced me at 6 to nudism, but he died when I was 8. At 10 I had a 40yo neighbour as mentor. At 12 a 28yo teacher. From 15 on several Mentors I've met on a official nudist beach. With all of them I was very close. They guide me to become a unashamed and openminded nudist. By intensive lessons in lonesome areas, in their backyard and unusual locations.
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