Funnily enough we were talking about this yesterday morning and like some other aspects of naturism there is a possible chicken and egg situation. 

Are more naturists open and friendly because they are naturists or is it what makes them naturists in the first place? Are more responsible about clearing up rubbish on the beaches or considering green issues because they are naturists or is it part of why they are naturists? Are more naturists trusting, considerate, confident, happy, open to other points of view, better parents etc etc because they are naturists or is it what takes them to naturism in the first place? What comes first? My thought is that you have to be open to personal improvement and the positives of naturism before embarking, but once you become a naturist you are them able to improve and develop in other ways - so the two self feed - and neither chicken or egg comes first - the the seed of something needs to be within you at the start. 

Would Steve and I be so close if it wasn't for naturism, the ease we find being together has surely been enhanced by our naturism as our personalities have been, but it was a closeness and a trust that allowed us to be at ease being naked together in the first place and to allow naturism to be a part of our lives and grow and grow. Being naturists together is a huge part of the lack of walls that stand between us. We exist together in a purely natural connection that has not existed in our previous relationships with others, complete confidence in who we are to not fear being either vulnerable or hurtful. Naturism is only part of it, but is a very significant part. We have stripped ourselves down to our very basics, beyond all barriers, not just clothing, but all the emotional and even practical ways we protect ourselves from others. In that place of trust is a unique situation (for ourselves at least) where we find naturism, but also unbreakable friendship, love and a life long commitment to protecting each other and caring for each other. To not be this way now would be so alien, it is as natural as breathing. Just as it would seem totally inconceivable to not have naturism as part of our life, even if that naturism was only part of our home life, it is there for always. 

So much of what you write Anna makes so much sense to us. When I was working with couples, I always asked them how much time do you spend naked together, and it was surprising how little time most couples actually do. I would explain to them that they should take time out and have a naked day and just simply be themselves around the house, enjoying each as people and fostering a new sense of closeness.

As far as I am aware there is little psychology or science that has been done on this subject in regard to couples, but it has been my experience that when I set couples this task, it fostered a deeper intimacy and understanding of each other, and promoted closeness. In my mind, I felt through my successes that the couples for the fist time actually met each other as natural people, it may sound strange, but before that, they had been so involved with living life with all of its tasks, they almost robotically stopped seeing each other with any sense of value.

I think the nudity made them open their eyes and take a better look at the person they were sharing their lives with, being in close contact initiated other senses of each other, such as the warmth of their skin, or they wat they moved, and through that, they found a much deeper level of knowing the person they were sharing their lives with. It brought a more relaxed feel to their relationship, and new level of comfort, and in so doing so, most of the tension between them faded away, which in turn brought a greater ease to talk, adding to a deeper connection and understanding of each other.

As stated early in this forum thread, we both feel that starting the relationship within naturism is not an easy thing, mainly due to the amount of twitching owls always on the look out for reasons to exclude men, which sadly is a very real issue within naturism. However, if it is possible for a couple to unite through naturism, I would speculate that the chances of the relationship growing and blossoming would be greatly improved simply through a naturist lifestyle.

There is something very unique to being able to be around others without clothing, and it is substantial in the way it allows the person to interact in a much more natural and easy way. Nudity does foster deeper bonds and understanding, and allows people to meet as equals, and in that sense, maybe that is the key towards deeper and better relationships, not only in marriage or dating, but also in life.  

I really agree Rob. 

I find it fascinating that there has been no study of relationships and casual nudity.  I would say "naturism" in a relationship, even kept within the home, would have a dramatic effect on helping couples get closer, build trust and look at mending and strengthening various failings. This is research that should be studied. 

Personally I couldn't find naked comfort in previous relationships, and from what Anna has told me neither did she. So I guess it must work both ways,  you have to want to find that trust within the relationship to find the nudity too, and maybe sometimes the relationship is just wrong. I find it quite ironic that I felt comfortable on naturist beaches in my previous relationship, and yet did not find the same comfort in my home. There was no trust, and that was not just about nudity, but on many levels, it was a relationship where you didn't want to be "naked" in anyway, because vulnerability meant danger. 

On the other side of the coin I have always felt at ease being naked around Anna, right from the beginning, and she me, so it was a two way thing. We didn't meet through naturism, but naturism was with us from the beginning. Chatting, making food and drink, hanging out washing and basically just being naked together in a casual and non-sexual way.     

I would say that if a couple did meet through naturism that that mutual trust from day one would be of huge benefit.