Maturing disgracefully!
Return to DiscussionsThis seems like the place for this sort of discussion.
At the time of writing (July 2025) I am 58 and my wife is 68 in a week or two - woe is me if I forget!
We are English, but live in Wales in the UK - but working on moving to Cyprus.
About eight years ago, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Some of you may have it, but guaranteed your case will be different to everyone ours, because it seems that every manifestation is unique.
In our case, the symptoms are fatigue, and a lack of balance and stamina - so walking distances is a non-starter. It's a progressive condition with no effective treatment. We're lucky though in that none of the symptoms are painful; just rather inconvenient.
We've been nudists on and off for about 25 years (married for 33), but have really only recently started to meet others. Before this, we've tended to do our own thing in isolation. I work from home, so nudity is the norm in my office when the weather is kind. She has tended to save it for holidays, but is certainly not shy about it. Lately we have taken a couple of real nudist breaks and have met others - notably a couple fairly local to us with whom we have shared hot-tub time.
The reality of nudism for us in the UK is that it is difficult to accomplish.
Many recognised beaches require a walk to get to them, and in the case of Morfa, our nearest, the walk is across a pebble beach. She simply cannot manage that walk. Many beaches are similar, so we simply don't bother trying them. I get that nudism is kept well away from family sections of beach, but it really is a pain.
We discovered a new symptom while sharing our new friends' hot tub too.
After a while of sitting in the hot water, the heat caused a disconnect between my wife's brain and the rest of her! Ultimately we had to manhandle her out of the tub and sit her outside to cool and recover her senses. I don't think our new friends minded the manhandling bit at all (!) but it is a new limitation we need to be aware of.
So as we age, we seem to care less about what anyone thinks. I guess that is why the majority of nudists are of a certain age.
Unfortunately as we age, things start dropping off or failing to work as they did.
I'll just add one completely different experience I had at my local beach, nude one afternoon.
I met a woman there, probably in her late 50s, so older than me at the time.
She was nude too, and taking one of her first excursions into the nude world after cancer and a single mastectomy. This, it turned out, was against her husband's advice that she should give up being nude now. After all, he suggested, what would people think, parading around with one boob?
I know this is a naturist/nudist forum, but I'm going to use that forbidden word...
She was without doubt the sexiest woman I have spent any time with. It wasn't her appearance - which it must be said was delightful, despite her recent surgery. It was her attitude to life. Given a second chance, she was determined, despite husbandly advice, to not give a damn. She was a nudist and was going to stay a nudist and have a whale of a time in the process.
We parted with me full of admiration.
So age and infirmity are absolutely no barrier to full enjoyment of our little hobby. Whatever your age, size, shape or condition, there is room for you in the world of nudism.
Thanks for listening if you've got this far!
Happy to chat, discuss or whatever.
Interesting and very uplifting commentary. I lost my wife 11 years ago after a 46 year long wonderful marriage. We were recreational and social nudists for 35 of those years after a vacation in the Caribbean with another couple. After I started dating again I met a lady while out to dinner with friends and we decided to meet again. I wasn't interested in a relationship but she was interesting to talk to. Later she disclosed she had MS and had balance issues but was determined to carry on. She was also quite overweight. She came to Florida on vacation and met me in the Miami area for some sightseeing. I mentioned Haulover nude beach and after her initial shock curiosity took over and she said she would go but not sure about disrobing. On our arrival we sat in our beach chairs, I was nude and she was covered. After about a 1/2 hour, another nude lady, also overweight walked by and said hello. After a brief conversation, she left and my friend said if she can do it so can I . She disrobed and the next day asked if we could go back to the beach another day.
My point is, nudists are not as judgmental as clothed people in most circumstances. The relaxed atmosphere and "nothing to hide" mind set is quite enjoyable. Best wishes to you and your wife.
Thank you for such a candid and moving post it truly captures the essence of what naturism should be: real, raw, joyful, and rooted in acceptance. Your story about your wifes resilience, your journey together through MS, and even that moment with the woman on the beach after her mastectomy thats the kind of authenticity that inspires others to live unapologetically.
Its unfortunate how often accessibility is overlooked in naturist spaces, especially for those with mobility limitations. Its a conversation that really needs more attention. Your insight brings awareness to that in a deeply personal and respectful way.
And yes I completely agree, theres something quietly magical about how naturism brings out confidence and freedom, especially as we age and stop caring what others think. Its not about looking perfect its about feeling alive, connected, and seen.
Please do keep sharing. Voices like yours remind us why were all here. Wishing you and your wife peace, strength, and plenty more laughter in the sun.
Your words were wonderful, as honest, as extensive, as appreciative and positive AND instructive as they were! Thank you so very much! I fully agree on every of your pov.
Liked this conclusion so very much too! Btw Im a male and 68 years old. THANK YOU AGAIN!
So age and infirmity are absolutely no barrier to full enjoyment of our little hobby. Whatever your age, size, shape or condition, there is room for you in the world of nudism.
What a lovely story. I'm very late to "nudism" wanted to for years but as I put on and put on and put on, yeah you get it weight I put it off. I have lived with Kidney Disease for over 30 years to be honest forgot I had it most the time. Then 2018 told " mate you got no kidney, need you on Dialysis like today" What sorry say that again What the $$$ so I got taught to needle myself have a machine in my house do 3 times a week 4 hours a time. Felt a bit sorry for myself if honest for a year or five. Then I noticed Hey i'm still here i'm 55 now though. How about living life. So made a list (not a bucket list, but you know) I want to do before i'm 60. As others I can't walk very far get very breathless and to be honest scared on my own. so beaches in the uk difficult. So I joined here also, decided at last to go to the Clover Hotel and spa in Brum, Google it, somewhere I'd seen on tv. I went 27 July 2026 very nervous but put at my ease when i walked in and a guy was undressing. Then a lovely women came in, in her birthday attire gave me a big smile said hi. I took the plunge got my kit off and was at home in seconds spent the whole day there doing new things. A hot tub, Sauna even a steam room, who knew, well loads, I chatted to great people booked to go again in a few weeks. I also decided to join a swimming group that does it in a indoor pool so no walking.
I would live to go to a beach and I think overseas maybe possible. I did have someone on here say there are kind of mobility scooters that can help put as said lots of cobbles on our beaches. But hay ho life is good and got better. Next on my list Find a lady to join me in this new life Cheers for my ramblings Ade