Funny how life and our stories have a way of coming full circle. I was reminded of that a couple of weekends ago, when an invitation brought me back to where this story began 8 years – learning to love the skin you’re in and empowering both myself and those around me to feel like the sexy devils they are.
You see, before I began my tale, I tended to hide my body under baggy clothes and most definitely felt insecure about a potential suitor seeing me naked. Was I overweight? Honestly? No, but I did have a bit of a belly I was insecure about, and I’d grown up with a thin sister who thought she was fat, and made herself sick trying to get thinner and thinner. The impact of this on me was that A) I’ll never diet, and B) That I was insecure about my body and hid it away under baggy clothes.
What changed that? Aside from supportive friends that attempted to get me into more form fitting clothes, I took an aerobic pole dancing class that had the side effect of beginning to teach me to love the skin I’m in and to begin to talk about my journey to embracing sexy – a journey I began to discuss publicly here. At first, I actually worried that this would make me more insecure, but was pleasantly surprised to be embraced by a community of women and men that helped me change the way I saw myself. After my 2010 New Year’s Resolution where I discussed trying to lose my love handles, I actually began to see myself the way the lovely community that I connected with through here saw me – as beautiful – curves and all. Now, when I look at myself in the mirror, I smile at what I see, and as history would demonstrate, I will now mischievously flaunt my curves in a way that I’d never have done when we are apparently suppose to as women – in our wild university years. Truth be told, I’ve been much wilder since.
The exception perhaps in university would have been my affinity for stripping it all off to hop into random watering holes. Being a tomboy in those days, that would inevitably have been random skinny dipping with my best male buds on road trips … memories that always make me smile, especially when I think of how naive I was to think that my uni bud, who I will affectionately refer to as ‘The Photographer’, wouldn’t take pictures of me naked under the hot summer sun at Cameron Lake. I half expect to walk into a gallery one day to see a life sized portrait of me standing stark naked with my exposed back side to camera, only wearing my floppy Paddington Bear hat. I did after all shriek at the discovery one afternoon that ‘The Photographer’ was displaying these, at the time unknown photos to me, to his Dad on the kitchen counter. Those were the days. And then of course, there was the staffer hike, where we all ended up skinny dipping in the middle of the day, in a park we all worked in. It’s moments like those that make me miss Island living.
I digress though. How did I come full circle? With a phone call, from whom I shall call the Sensual Bookworm, innocently asking if I’d care to skinny dip at the Dundas Community Pool with her? In reminiscence of the old days, “Fuck Yeah!” Baring it all in the waters of a public pool would be a personal first for me. I didn’t even ask if this would be a co-ed or legal swim.
Those questions were answered by the cover of the Hamilton Spectator the next day. The public skinny dip was women only, and was to raise awareness to Love the Skin You’re In and to raise money for Danielle’s Place Eating Disorder Support and Resource Centre.
As for the day of? It was a great success! Women of all ages, shapes and sizes came out to frolic in the water in their birthday suits! It really was a bit of awesome to see and be a part of. By shedding our fears and baring it all, we reverted back to our childhood selves having fun playing in the water. Women played volleyball, swam lengths, did their water calisthenics, hung out and chatted, experimented with mermaid tails, and shot down the slide. The slide was, in my mind, the most awesome part. There is something absolutely wondrous about seeing a stark naked 60+ year old woman gleefully shoot down the slide, squealing like a young kid. And wow, did you ever shoot down that slide. It seems in the absence of the friction of the fabric of a swimsuit, those slides are wild rides! Now, if only they’d have had a rope swing, the wild Amazon in me would have been fully unleashed.
If you missed December’s swim and are in Southern Ontario, not to worry, there will be another skinny dip at the Dundas Community Pool in early February. If I am still in the area, I will most definitely see you there!
Richard says
Beautiful Emme X
Chris ( says
I’d worry about rope burn with a rope swing, but the slide would’ve been glorious. Not that I’d be confident in my own body to skinny dip – which I know is counter to the post.
Shareef says
Emme,
On my view you are the most beautiful, sexy and amazing girl in the whole world.
I spent many hours watching your photos on Facebook.. they are all amazing and I feel always happy when I see you on youtube or pictures on Facebook.
I love the way you talk, the way you walk, you smile, your sense of humour and of course your sexy beautiful face and body.
I sent you messages on facebook and I had no reply, also a friend request which was not accepted till now.
I am from Egypt working as a tour guide, I plan and organise trips to Egypt and Cruises on the Nile.
I’ve studied Egypology, so I have a license to work as egyptologist tour guide to accompany the tourist groups, tell them stories about ancient Egypt, and the ancient Egyptian thoughts and believes.
If you decide to come to Egypt, promise I’ll make for you the best trip you will ever have in your life, as my dream is to see you one day in reality.
I have a very warm heart, I love the love and Romance.
Don’t ask me why I am crazy by you, it happens to me without any control, it comes with the first photo I saw for you.
Sorry I post it again cause I inter a wrong Email address.
Allow me to say love you so much.
Please accept my friend request.
Wish you all the best.
Shareef
Jolanta | Casual Traveler says
Great message! Every year I’m adding to my experience (basically, as I’m getting older) I care less and less about what the media tell the women they should look like, how they dress, and how they should behave. But I have a daughter. And I need to teach her the message you’re sending – love yourself for who you are, the way you are. Thanks for the reminder.
XX, Will Travel says
Always a great reminder!
Emme Rogers says
Yeah, we all need that reminder from time to time.
Ed Blazek says
Honestly, I think your phsically beautiful and every bit as much so, a great attitude toward yourself and life in general.
One heck of a writer too by the way.
Archie says
Powerful message! Dont let others stop you. Be yourself!
surya says
great gorgeous looking
pardisa says
that was perfect
What really enjoyed the good that today I met with your site
ankit kumar says
That’s a really great attitude. You should never consider yourself lower compare to anybody.
peter says
Great Message…..You looks Gorgeous……Dashing
Skyman says
Howdy Emme!
Wow, this is a useful reminder.
Infact, with me, you are the most beautiful, amazing girl.
I feel happy when i see your pics on Youtube and Facebook
But I will teach my daughters the message you’re sending – love yourself for who you are, the way you are.
Thanks for the reminder more!
Have a nice day Emme
Good luck!
M ZAMAN says
Truly thought out! Found myself staring at it for minutes.
jazib ahmad says
Great work.
I like it.
Maria says
That’s a really great attitude.I feel happy when i see your pics on Youtube.Powerful message!
Jason says
Powerful message! Very inspiring!
Hunter says
Thank you for sharing ! what a positive way of looking at things!
Brent says
If only every woman could do this. Would be a better place!
Amy says
Good for you! You’re breaking down stereotypes and making the world better for all woman.
man says
Really good message and sexy looks. You are gorgeous.
Thanks 🙂
HARSHIT says
WOW… I love this post. Love the way you write your posts. The information in this article is really unique and useful for me. After reading this article, I think I have some ideas for myself.Thankssss
Amie says
This is a topic that I believe needs to be brought up from a very young age. Too many people feel terrible about their bodies and it’s sad. Being a mom of 4 I can totally relate to having body image issues. I constantly am criticizing myself. Easier said than done, however, if you keep on trying to correct your thoughts, it can be accomplished. Thanks for the article, really appreciated.
JC says
I always enjoy your writing. Thank you for continuing to write.
aleena says
Love your article and powerful message, thank you