As I prepare for the blissful month where my two oldest kids are off at summer camp, I’ve crafted a to-do list packed with everything I hope to accomplish in their absence. This list features big ambitions like organizing the garage, donating all the clothes they’ve outgrown, and vacuuming under the couch (yikes!). But it also includes smaller, more personal goals, like taking daily walks, finally finishing that novel I’ve been reading for ages, and treating myself to a facial. This summer checklist gathers the tasks that slipped through the cracks during the hectic school year, the spring cleaning I never got around to, and the self-care intentions I’ve set for myself to nurture and create space.
Now that the kids have been away for two weeks, I’ve checked off a few items, but there’s one surprise I didn’t plan for: I’ve found myself wandering around the house in the nude!
What’s Going On?
For those who are used to strutting around their homes sans clothing, this might not seem significant, but for others, having the kids away is the perfect chance to embrace nudity. Personally, I never considered myself a nudist, yet here I am, doing laundry in my birthday suit, leisurely trotting downstairs for a Diet Coke and some pretzels, and lounging on my bed scrolling through social media—completely unclothed.
With three kids and a husband constantly popping in and out of rooms, I rarely get time to myself. Our house was built without locks on the doors, so I often find myself at the mercy of my husband’s curious gaze, my tween and teen daughters’ inquisitive eyes, and the innocent, unfiltered comments from my 4-year-old: “Wow, Mama, your tummy is squishy!” Despite my efforts to teach them about boundaries, they often burst in with an “Oh, sorry, Mom!” followed by a request. It’s sweet that they’re around, but it doesn’t leave much time for me to just be, well, me. Now that I have the house all to myself, I realize how much I’ve missed this freedom.
I’ve come to appreciate my mid-40s body, which is definitely different from the one I had in my 20s and early 30s, before marriage and motherhood took center stage. Back then, my skin was tighter, and my rear didn’t sag quite as much. Ironically, those were the years I stressed the most about my appearance—always fretting about the few extra pounds, the elusive muscle tone, and comparing myself to the skinny girls downtown. I even wondered what a future partner would think of my naked body: Would it be worthy of love?
These days, I view my naked self with gratitude and a healthy dose of confidence. I know what my body can do, where it’s been, and how resilient it can be. It has run marathons, played in tennis tournaments, dived competitively, and hiked the Pacific Crest Trail for three weeks. It has birthed and nourished three children, and even healed after a tough miscarriage. Sure, I’ve still cataloged every freckle, scar, and wrinkle, but now it’s more about observation than criticism. Honestly, I like how I look, and even more, I love how I feel.
With two weeks left before my home is filled with the energetic chaos of my kids again, I plan to spend a lot of time enjoying my nudity. I’m determined to finish that novel, maybe indulge in a facial, and yes, I’m thinking about finally cleaning out that garage. Oh, and I’ve added one more thing to my list: Call the locksmith to get some privacy!
For more tips on embracing your journey to motherhood, don’t miss this insightful resource on pregnancy and home insemination. And if you’re looking for expert advice, check out this authority on home insemination.
In summary, while I tackle my to-do list, I’m also learning to celebrate my body and the freedom that comes with having the house to myself. Here’s to a summer of self-love, personal growth, and a little bit of nakedness!