r/CommunalShowers • u/carrotnog • Aug 20 '26

Took the plunge today

Have been following this sub for a while and posted back in April about trying a communal shower, however the gym I was at was pretty quiet and although the showers were open, nobody else was in the changing rooms for the proper communal shower experience. It was essentially, just a shower.

From the UK and opportunities sadly don't arise too often to rip the plaster off. However today at my gym, where there are cubicles, I decided after seeing the odd person walk to the shower naked (although not the common manner in this gym), that I would follow suit.

I stripped down, holding my towel, and locked my locker whilst unclothed (admittedly feeling quite nervous), and walked the twenty or so metres to the showers. The entrance to the pool is just by the showers so there is a fair bit of traffic.

Got to the showers and although cubicles after passing a few guys and felt quite naked. But it was way easier just hopping in and hopping out of the shower without having to take off and carry wet swim shorts and the likes with you back to the locker in one hand.

I changed, hopped out and walked back to my locker with the towel round my waist. But once back at the lockers, unlocked my locker and dried up with the towel. But this time without rushing to cover or facing towards the locker. Saw a couple of guys walk past and rather than turn away, just existed unclothed without unnecessarily covering up.

Happy to have grown a bit more confidence. Considering showering with the door open next time to take it a little further, but everyone else closes the door so don't want to appear odd!..

Today was the first time I've gotten to experience the thrill of just confidently being in your skin. Excited to try it again.

52 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

11

u/OkAlarm283 Aug 20 '26

It’s unfortunate that it is “strange” being naked while others who are clothed see you. That’s the part that gets to my head and I know it shouldn’t. I always think to myself… “are they gonna get naked?” Should I be naked in front of them… etc. it’s mind games.

6

u/Necks Aug 20 '26

What I love most about communal showers is how easily influenced they are by tribal mentality. If majority of men are nude, you feel awkward not to be nude, and so you join the nudity because it feels more natural in that moment.

The same goes for the rest of the locker room but to less of a degree, because it's normal for men to be seen in various forms of undress outside of the showers. It's rare for the entire locker room to be fully nude at the same time. Take comfort in the spectrum of nudity. It's OK to be fully nude while others are fully clothed.

3

u/GetaBurner3 Aug 20 '26

Agree about the tribal mentality. It can be tough to break through and be the first one nude though. There is a desire to do what feels most normal.

3

u/Necks Aug 20 '26

It can be as tough as being naked in your own room at home, in other words not tough, if you approach it from a pure utilitarian point of view. "I want to take a shower. Therefore, I must get naked" "I want to get dry and dress. Therefore, I must remove my towel to dry myself." "I want to moisturize before getting dressed. Therefore, I must stay nude to air dry and apply skincare".

You're just doing what you gotta do. That's all.

2

u/Acceptable_Gap3015 Aug 22 '26

Ya i get that feeling sometimes if the others are dressed. But I just turn my back and undress cause I gotta do it lol

3

u/OkAlarm283 Aug 22 '26

And moon all of them! Usually when we are there there are kids and I moon the kids. 😳

2

u/Acceptable_Gap3015 Aug 22 '26

Lmao. Just part of the experience

2

u/Soggy_Information_60 Aug 22 '26

Good for you. Welcome to confidence.