So many memorable lines here! " the authoritarian regime that is our hormones" for instance. Love how you always strive for and often nail the naked truth of things. Great analogy of the difference between unfiltered diaries and distilled memoirs.
Relationship with nudity - it has shifted over the years. As a young teen, I was quite conscious of unwanted stares and fearful of attracting attention. Fear and shame (not ready to be "naked" to share why) held me hostage wanting to avoid nudity and the harm it causes. After having children, my body no longer was youthful or sexy until my late 20's/early 30's when I had a personal trainer. It was during those 2 - 3 years living in Venezuela that I felt pretty and Ok about my body. I would have been open to going to a nudist beach, but didn't. Now, at 60, I don't care if it may be "offensive" for others to see my renaissance style body. I'm comfortable in my skin. I enjoyed a sauna in Stockholm where it is customary to be nude. Then, again, Swedes don't look on at naked women with predatory gazes.
Re: "Stuck out like a sore thumb"...such an interesting take! A broken thumb must be rendered immobile to heal, thus sticking out away from the rest of the hand and fingers so one doesn't accidentally use it for leverage. That's how everyone knows it's a sore thumb, too. ;)
When my debut novel was published and a journalist asked me how I felt about it, I said: as though I’m lying naked on a table. He made that the article’s headline and I felt so ashamed. Now I’m writing nonfiction and feel exposed yet proud.
So many memorable lines here! " the authoritarian regime that is our hormones" for instance. Love how you always strive for and often nail the naked truth of things. Great analogy of the difference between unfiltered diaries and distilled memoirs.
Have to watched Naked Attraction?
Relationship with nudity - it has shifted over the years. As a young teen, I was quite conscious of unwanted stares and fearful of attracting attention. Fear and shame (not ready to be "naked" to share why) held me hostage wanting to avoid nudity and the harm it causes. After having children, my body no longer was youthful or sexy until my late 20's/early 30's when I had a personal trainer. It was during those 2 - 3 years living in Venezuela that I felt pretty and Ok about my body. I would have been open to going to a nudist beach, but didn't. Now, at 60, I don't care if it may be "offensive" for others to see my renaissance style body. I'm comfortable in my skin. I enjoyed a sauna in Stockholm where it is customary to be nude. Then, again, Swedes don't look on at naked women with predatory gazes.
Re: "Stuck out like a sore thumb"...such an interesting take! A broken thumb must be rendered immobile to heal, thus sticking out away from the rest of the hand and fingers so one doesn't accidentally use it for leverage. That's how everyone knows it's a sore thumb, too. ;)
When my debut novel was published and a journalist asked me how I felt about it, I said: as though I’m lying naked on a table. He made that the article’s headline and I felt so ashamed. Now I’m writing nonfiction and feel exposed yet proud.