Everybody knows (due to an overfocus of imbalanced fetishized content) that in D/s there is an exchange of power where the Dom shapes the submissive to suit the Dom’s needs.
However, this isn’t the full scope of how a D/s dynamic actually works in a successful practice. Toward that end here is a brief explainer on some of what too often gets left out.
Two of the most commonly overlooked facts/elements of D/s instruction are:
1. Both participants are equals
If you find yourself himming and hawing about this fact, you have a lot to learn and it is good that you are reading this! Both participants are equals. D/s is exactly a Yin Yang energy flow dynamic. If it is not then it is not going to be a successful D/s dynamic.
Most of what you see online lacks the balance and perspective that actually underpins a successful dynamic.
Ultimately what is demonstrated in these is simply a fetishization of one part of the energy flow. It is the visually appealing element of the power exchange in action. A scene such as one where a submissive is crawling on a leash as the Dominant leads them to the place where the submissive will demonstrate their enthusiasm and commitment to pleasing the Dominant through various and perverse acts, a sub being spanked, choked, slapped, spit on, or whatever it is that arouses the energy flow’s enthusiastic exploration from the participants.
However, what is usually not made clear is that the participants chose from a position of equality to explore these acts together. That the submissive can pause, change, or immediately end the entire experience with the utterance of a word.
That the submissive has the responsibility of guiding the Dom when the Dom is not easily finding the connection for the energy flow. it is a dance that requires two equal partners. Yes, in the fetishized element there is a gifting from the submissive to the Dominant of power, rights, and decision-making. This is because the submissive wants to be guided through experiences that they will have difficulty experiencing without guidance from someone who takes those controls and manages them on behalf of the submissive.
2. A sub shapes a Dom to suit the sub’s needs
(There is a fine line between “topping from the bottom“ and D/s energy flow with a submissive who is participating in the energy flow submissively from the bottom, but that’s going further into the weeds. Then this general post is intending to address. Maybe I’ll get more into that later in another post.)
Every healthy D/s inclusive energy flow relationship or scenario requires that two equal partners get together and negotiate what the nature of their relationship or experiences are going to be. A Dominant cannot truly fulfill a sub’s needs without the input of the submissive.
BDSM is a growth experience where communication put into practice defines the focus of exploration. When a submissive simply goes along with whatever their Dominant wants, but yet is not happy with the result, that submissive is harming and undermining the success of the relationship or scenario.
Submissives have a required element of participation in communicating their needs and shaping the experiences that are pursued. In a successful and healthy dynamic, the Dom is shaped by the interests and needs of the submissive.
It is a common misconception that all that occurs in a DS relationship or scenario is that a submissive simply serves the Dominant in whatever way the Dom demands. Again, this is because the only part of the overall experience that is fetishized is the best case practice moment. Yes, in the best case practice moment, the Dominant is using the sub’s power to direct and control the activities the sub practices as the sub responds to the demands of the Dom. What you don’t see in that snapshot, is the fact that the sub is performing acts that appeal directly to the interests that the submissive has within the experience.
For some subs, it is indeed simply a service kink. What they get out of it is an opportunity to successfully servicing their Dominant’s demands. However, in order for the Dominant to lead them in an experience that is successful, the Dominant has to understand the things that are going to cause the submissive to be pulled out of their enjoyment.
The submissive is giving a gift, but that gift has to be exercised in a way that is successful.
Success requires that the Dominant stay within the boundaries of the submissive and only present things that challenge the submissive in ways that ultimately lead into the submissive’s enjoyment rather than caused the submissive to drop out of their enjoyment.
Of course, there will be things that are presented that are challenges for the sub to maintain as they demonstrate their enthusiasm for servicing their dominant. Things that the Dominant wants from the sub, but that might not be directly appealing to the sub. Things that can be explored as part of an overall journey that leads back into the sub’s enjoyment.
Oftentimes, the Dominant will lead the sub through things that please the dominant by using an energy flow focus that appeals to the submissive.
Working together in advance of a scenario is an essential part of planning for success. Negotiating about the kind of energy and acts that the participants are comfortable exploring increases the possibility for success in a relationship or scenario.
to you it’s perverted gross sex. to me it’s being creative, working through traumas and baggage, healing my inner child, playing, practicing intense vulnerability, finding even more ways to fall in love with my partner, finding more ways to fall in love with myself, learning confidence & how to ask for what i want, care work, emotional release, relaxing, community building, theater, dance, writing, problem solving, therapy, radical honestly, and so much more. and also it’s gross perverted sex.
I've been seeing a recent influx of followers so now is a good opportunity to repeat a post I've made before:
This blog is not a safe space for nazis, trump supporters, right wingers, transphobes, homophobes or actual real life misogynists.
If any of the above describes you, kindly fuck off.
https://www.ted.com/talks/emily_nagoski_how_couples_can_sustain_a_strong_sexual_connection_for_a_lifetime?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare
The instructions are back!
CW: light degradation, some name calling, praise mixed with degradation. Not a hypnosis file!
I tell you what I want you to do each day of this week and how long at a minimum you should edge, and how you should do it. I won't ruin the surprises. You'll have to listen. As always, my messages are open, and I enjoy hearing from you. Have fun, and get edging!
I’ve organized some of the things I need from aftercare (in person or long distance) into 4 components, and thought it could be helpful for others too! I’ve put some examples for each, but it will of course look different for everyone.
1. Physical Care/Needs -
Wiping away tears
Helping up from floor
Getting a warm towel
Soothing bruises
Getting a glass of water
2. Physical Comfort/Affection -
Gentle kisses and hugs
Holding eachother tight
Breathing with eachother
Cuddling and/or napping together
Brushing fingers through hair
3. Scene Validation -
“That was so fun/sexy”
“That felt so good when you ____”
“You were such a good ____ for me”
“I love the bruises/marks you gave me”
“Thank you for (carrying out some fantasy) with me”
4. Human Affirmations -
“I love you; I care about you”
“I’m so grateful to have you in my life”
“I always have a great time when I’m with you”
“You’re a wonderful/kind/etc person”
Mentioning a non-sexual part of your relationship that you like, or reiterating that you value eachother as more than just a sub/dom(me)
I think that this can work whether you have a deeper connection or a more casual play partner! I always feel best when all of these components are covered during aftercare.
These things can obv be done in person, and I think it’s also really important to give this kind of care when you’re long distance, even if it’s just through words after sexting… for example-
“When we were done, I would help you up and wipe away your tears, bring you a warm towel and make sure you’re ok. Then I’d love to cuddle, with your head on my chest, and give you forehead kisses while telling you how good you made me feel and how wonderful of a person I think you are.”
Thanks for reading! Be safe everyone 💕💕
Here is an (exaggerated/fantasy) example of conditioning as part of training.
Let’s say, for example, that as part of a discussion and negotiation regarding what things might be part of a submissive’s practice goals it is mutually acknowledged that the submissive wants to improve on their cum swallowing.
This might on one hand, simply be a matter of skill training. Practice that removes a gag reflex or disgust reaction is one type of training. This is a type of training that could lead to the submissive experiencing pride in their success at swallowing. This is a type of training that could lead to the Dominant experiencing greater physical pleasure when the submissive is able to perform swallowing in a way that is more pleasing.
However, there is another type of training goal that could also come in to play. The above, exaggerated example is about a submissive being erotically conditioned as part of their training so they develop a sincerely enthusiastic relationship to swallowing cum.
(The example given, isn’t how I would go about such a training, but scrolling past it prompted the thought to write about it.)
For many tasks, like come, swallowing, or anal, sex or exhibitionism, just the performative ability to do the task is not the deeper goal. Rather it is to develop the performance skill as part of developing a new erotic relationship within themselves where an action, like swallowing, is connected to their real and sincere erotic desires in a truly enthusiastic way.
Training to simply perform a task or to develop a specific skill is different as a goal of a BDSM practice as compared to training to develop a different personal relationship within performing a task. Because of this the entire approach to training and practice will be quite different.
It is important to understand the difference between simple skill training and practicing to intentionally develop or change one’s erotic enthusiasm.
Groomed into being a cum addict. Made to swallow cum when forced to give blowjobs. Everything is tainted with cum. My drinks, my food. Even my toothpaste. Which is just straight-up cum on my toothbrush. You do this for months. Making me crave it, making me so addicted! Nothing tastes right. Nothing tastes as good as cum! I beg and plead for it when it’s not added to my food or drink. I crave it so much that even in public, I give blowjobs just so I can get my fix. I'm a whore and all you do to pay is to make sure you cum in my mouth.
Self delusional misinformation like this is why everyone rightly is laughing at actual “patriarchy” promoting people.
Feminism is simply the assertion that all people have an equal right to choose the life they want for themselves.
Weak men who cannot earn a woman’s submission demonize things out in the world so they have something to blame other than themselves for their inability to develop good relationships that reflect the lifestyle they desire. That lack and subsequent lashing out are pitiful, really.
Feminism simply means a woman gets to choose what she wants rather than pretending that weak men have an unearned right to hold power over what a woman chooses for herself.
Some men will choose not to have children and work. Some women will, also. That equality in having self determination is feminism. Some men want a submissive wife. Some women want to be a submissive wife. Weak men tantrum all about like toddlers without their blankie demanding a submissive wife because these men lack the developmental milestones to earn that sort of relationship.
Make it make sense…
Consent is the essential element that makes scenarios possible. I’ll clarify and make more peominent this part of my bio given some ego-centric tools seem to think they matter to me: I write simply for my own practice putting thoughts into text. Nothing I write is about nor for anyone else save for myself and my partner in practice.Additionally: Feminism in BDSM is the essential idea that a person of any gender can only participate as a submissive in BDSM if they start from a position of respected equality Married over 40No DM’s
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