As I prepare for the month when my two oldest daughters will be away at summer camp, I compiled a list of objectives to accomplish while the house is quieter. This list includes ambitious tasks like decluttering the garage, donating unworn clothes, and vacuuming beneath the furniture. It also encompasses smaller, personal goals such as committing to daily walks, finally finishing that novel I’ve been working on for two months, and treating myself to a facial. This summer checklist serves as a collection of chores I neglected during the school year, the spring cleaning I skipped, and the self-care intentions I occasionally set for myself to nurture my well-being and create a more organized space.
The girls have been gone for two weeks now. While I have ticked off a few items from my list, there’s one thing I find myself doing almost daily that wasn’t even on it: wandering around the house in the nude.
For those who regularly roam their homes unclothed, this may not seem extraordinary or even worthy of a to-do list. However, for many, having the kids out of the house presents the perfect chance to embrace nudity. Personally, being naked is not a common practice nor something I consciously seek out. Yet here I am—doing laundry in the buff, heading downstairs for a Diet Coke and some pretzels, and lounging on my bed scrolling through social media, completely unclothed.
Why has this become my new norm? With three children and a husband frequently darting in and out of rooms, I seldom get a moment to myself. Our house lacks locks on any interior doors, leaving me vulnerable to my husband’s curious glances, the inquisitive eyes of my teenage daughters, and the innocent comments from my 4-year-old, who once remarked, “Mama, you have a mushy butt!” Even as I lecture them about boundaries, they often burst in with an apologetic, “Oops, sorry Mom,” before launching into a request. While I cherish these moments with them, they don’t leave much room for privacy or self-acceptance. Now, with the house to myself, I realize what I’ve been missing.
I have gained a newfound appreciation for my mid-40s body, which is certainly not the same as it was in my 20s and early 30s, prior to marriage and motherhood. Back then, my skin was firm, and my figure was much different. Ironically, those were the years I was most preoccupied with my appearance—always striving to lose weight or tone specific areas. I often compared myself to the slender women downtown and pondered what a potential partner would think of my naked body. Would it be deemed good enough for someone to love, let alone myself?
Nowadays, I’m more inclined to view my nakedness with gratitude and a sense of empowerment. I recognize what my body is capable of, its journey, limitations, and remarkable resilience. This body has endured a marathon, participated in tennis tournaments, and tackled swim meets. It hiked the Pacific Crest Trail for three weeks and summited Mount Washington in late August snow. While I tried my hand at snowboarding and skiing, I found my true passion in ice-skating. It has never failed me through years of step aerobics, yoga, or barre classes. My body has nurtured three children, recovered from a challenging miscarriage, and through all the cataloging—freckles, scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks—the scrutiny has shifted to observation rather than criticism. Honestly, I appreciate how I look, and even more, I relish how I feel.
With two weeks left before the household fills up again, I plan to continue embracing nudity. I’ll finish that novel, perhaps indulge in a facial, and consider tackling the garage cleanup. Oh, and I’ve added one more task to my list: call a locksmith.
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Summary
This article reflects on the author’s summer to-do list, which balances ambitious household chores with personal self-care goals. The absence of her children has led to an unexpected embrace of nudity, allowing her to cultivate a deeper appreciation for her body and its journey. As she prepares to enjoy the remaining weeks of solitude, she plans to continue her self-discovery and self-care practices.