With naked foraging day on the horizon—August 17th— AoF member Colin Unsworth shares his journey towards feeling comfortable in himself, and also out and about naked.
There’s something wonderful about walking naked through the woods, basket in hand. I walk naked regularly with my partner and soulmate Sadie; for us, removing layers of clothes is like removing the pressures and expectations of society. It feels great – no tight waistbands, no seams, just the feeling of the air moving on our skin as we walk through the dappled shade of the trees. It’s about stripping back to what really matters: our natural world, mental wellbeing, and learning to love the skin we’re in. It is a truly immersive experience!
I think that most people would worry what folk might think if or when they are seen. What if it is someone who knows you?! I was bullied all the way through school, and the bullies were relentless. It didn’t matter what I did, how I held myself, or what I wore, they would spot something to ridicule and humiliate me for. It probably didn’t help that I went to school dressed in corduroy trousers, a home made towelling jumper and “room for your feet to grow” good quality Clarkes spade-end shoes. I think that a lot of us know the feeling. Like, we’ve tried, we’ve given it a go, but it doesn’t work; some people just weren’t made to fit in. So why try? Why not just be myself. And I couldn’t really BE more me than when I remove every layer of costume that I own. Besides, the reactions from members of the public are funny! Most people are fine; most give a wry smile and a nod and say hello. Some are indifferent, although my hunch is that they are just feigning indifference. But it is rare to come across someone who reacts badly. That said, me and Sadie are a gender balanced couple, and this somehow seems to make it easier for people to accept us. A lone male might be seen as predatory, and a lone female might be seen as mentally unstable. But we perform heteronormativity as we walk and fortunately for us that goes in our favour.
Something happens when you forage naked. The connection you feel with the natural world around you feels deep. You can literally feel the atmosphere of the woods on every bit of your body. It is also deeply connecting with fellow naked foragers too. In 2023 I ran a naked forage every month of the year and we foraged with a lot of naked friends. There is something very trusting about it. No one is hiding anything, and they are trusting you with their vulnerability. Sharing knowledge and our passion for nature, there is total honesty when you walk naked side by side. There is a feeling of community.
It isn’t just about being naked. We love to walk and forage with all our friends, and we’d always chose to walk with foraging friends over simply spending time with people just because they’re naked. But it is a special day if we can be accepted as ourselves, comfortable just as we are.
