Wednesday, August 07, 2013

Why Doms & Subs Should Not Date Vanilla People

To be perfectly honest... I often wish I wasn't romantically and sexually dominant. I'm single, and regularly meet attractive, vibrant, vanilla girls who think I'm an awesome dancer and appealing gent and want to get to know me. Alas, I cannot date any of these gals and expect it to go anywhere; I know, because I have tried.

A few weeks ago, a reader posted a comment on this predicament:

... A man I feel deep feelings for recently told me he's been a Dom for over 25 years — which freaked me out a little, to be honest. He is 10 years older and we have a great deal in common. Intellectually he is unlike any man I have ever known, and our connection, interaction, attraction, and compatibility are almost magical. My issue mostly is that I am not what anyone would consider submissive ... Even worse, I cannot imagine anyone thinking I would be submissive in the full sense of the word. Yes, there are few things (I think) I would decline to do with this man because I think he's simply amazing, but on the other hand, I don't think I could allow him to actually hurt me, or humiliate me. I'm definitely not turned on by things like that.

I responded to her that, from my own hard experience, the two of them should go separate ways; that each of them would be far more fulfilled by a partner who would love them they way they need to be loved.

Five years ago I fell in love with... let's call her Amanda. She was a wonderful dancer, tall, thin, curvy, with an expressive face that was stunning when she beamed, which she did constantly. Her romantic nature was giving and devoted, and sexually adventurous. We had delightful chemistry from the first moments, and I fell for her rapidly. The second or third time we got together, I told her I'm a dom, and what that means. She replied that she was open to any mutually fulfilling erotic explorations. And suddenly we were spending as much time together as possible.

But giving and devoted and in-love do not add up to submissive; sexually adventurous is not kinky per se. Love does not, it turns out, conquer anyone or anything; it merely makes you believe passionately that you should try, and damn the consequences. Our relationship was delightfully intense, and we took some remarkable excursions, both within the bedroom and beyond it. But ultimately neither of us could give the other what they needed in romance. She could not embrace, or even comprehend, my need to see her suffer in any sexual situation. During the last half of an eighteen month relationship, we had virtually no sexual contact, just periodic platonic snuggling. Given how much we loved, and wanted, each other, that was heart-breaking, daily.

I'll note that one may draw the line between "vanilla" and "kinky" differently. I would not call it kink when partners include occasional light bondage or barehanded spanking in their sex life. To me, kink implies high, sustained physical and/or psychological intensity, which the partners crave regularly. Such intensity usually demands a recovery period, which may include focused care immediately following the experience.

It's tough being a kinky single, especially if, like me, you seek the deep bond which D/s and S&M engender between committed partners — versus alternative sex with whatever curious creature crosses your path, which is easier to arrange. Searching for someone with whom you share compatibility in both kink and vanilla terms can be disheartening, as there's such a small pool of people who both share your kinks, and would also love your everyday personality. The loneliness that results from this dearth of possibility drives some of us to attempt relationships with vanilla people, simply because they're so much easier to find, and flirt with, and fall for. This is a mistake.

It won't feel like a mistake initially. It's exhilarating to feel deeply connected to someone, to see into another's soul, and feel intimately seen by them. But as in any new coupling, it's essential to recognize the difference between infatuation and mutual understanding. The former flares up immediately, the latter unfolds over time. And what unfolds over time in a kinky-vanilla pairing is misunderstanding, disappointment, frustration.

Some submissive women I've talked to who've dated vanilla guys have said that they've found themselves actually taking the lead in those relationships. I surmise that's because they're keenly aware of the value of authority in partnership, and so attempt to fill that vacuum, even though it makes them uncomfortable or even disdainful of their partner.

But suppose you don't discover that you're kinky until... after you're married. I've talked with a few women in this situation. Being married doesn't predispose your partner to being dominant or submissive with you any more than being in love does, even though this seems like the most natural thing in the world, at least for the kinky party. But you do have options here, besides shelving your D/s desires or separating. A surprising number of folks I've spoken with have kink partners alongside a vanilla marriage, with the consent of their spouse. Obviously this requires the spouse to be open-minded and flexible! Another angle is finding some kinky practices which the vanilla partner enjoys. It's not hard to create that sustained physical and psychological intensity I've referred to with someone you know well. And of course some choose to indulge their desires outside the marriage without telling, although this entails significant risk to the relationship.

Based on the conversations I've had with innumerable kinky people over the past seven years, I'm prepared to assert that appetites for dominance, submission, or sadomasochism are innate, not acquired. Many of my sources report becoming aware of deviant desires in childhood, before attaining any education on sex. Vanilla folks simply don't experience a thrill in wielding control over a partner, or yielding it; the roles feel awkward. True, you can awaken latent desires in someone who is kinky but hasn't had partners to explore it with. (Although in our era of diverse and abundant kink porn and erotica, where a D/s romance trilogy became a runaway best seller, the number of people harboring quiet cravings for D/s is dwindling.) But you can't teach someone you love to become dominant or submissive; you need someone who was born this way.

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185 Comments:

At August 08, 2013 6:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If I only knew and listen to my friend. He kept on telling me I might be interested in S&M. sigh.

Don't get me wrong. I do love my husband but unfortunately he doesn't like role playing. I think if he let me be a "DOM" for few times I think it will satisfy my "curiosity". He say it hurts when I hit him...hahahaha. Geez! After few days he show me the black & blue. Laughing. In the meantime I am "stuck". I doubt he will like the idea unless he "cheats" on me.

I will be patience...but thanks for this post.

Annie (NJ)

 
At August 08, 2013 6:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Thank you for writing this. I'm still pretty new to all of this but I can see how it could cause a problem. :)

 
At August 12, 2013 5:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a very helpful and important article. As a submissive, I've tried over and over to make a relationship work with non-kinky folks. I've tried to settle for a little light kink in the bedroom once a month. I've even taking the role of authority in a vanilla relationship like this article mentions. This made me and the other person very unhappy. I've realized that I can't diminish my sexual and relationship needs.

I also really appreciate how the author warns about sexually adventurous partners. Sexually adventurous is NOT the same as kinky! I fell into this trap with someone I was dating. I was thrilled that this person wanted to do kinky things with me, even if it meant I was switching (See? Trying to settle for less than my needs) most of the time. After a year, with the sex becoming increasingly more vanilla, my partner flat out told me, "No more kinky sex." I was heart-broken. Seems that person wasn't really kinky.

Seriously, heed these wise words. I'm not willing to settle for less anymore, I'm being upfront about being a submissive and the kind of relationship I want, and suddenly kinky people are coming out of the woodwork!

 
At August 17, 2013 4:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This hits so close to home. I've been with my husband for 8 years and we've mutually explored the kinky side of me over the past year. But at his core I know he's not Dominant and never will be. He can act it out just fine I suppose, but I don't truly feel it.
He naturally defers to me, putting me in the dominant position in nearly everything no matter how much I encourage him NOT to do that. But at the same time, I feel like I have to take over and do everything myself (I'm talking about our day to day life) and I wish he was the Dom that I need in my life. I need someone to take care of and nurture that side of me. I'm very independent and capable of taking care of myself and willing to do so. I just wish I didn't have to.
I wish so much that he was the type of Dom I fantasize about and that I could let myself be who I am, instead of living out of realistic necessity because there is no other option. I'm not willing to end our relationship out over my own selfish needs and I certainly won't be unfaithful to him so it would seem that I have to settle for this and hope for the best.

 
At August 20, 2013 9:02 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I'm prepared to assert that appetites for dominance, submission, or sadomasochism are innate, not acquired" - I sincerely believe that I could quote you on this.

However, I myself did the opposite whole my life. Though, to tell the truth, if I were single man now I would follow your advice and look for a woman who is clearly submissive.

Just to go back for a second, whole my life I was more or less successful in turning my vanilla girlfriends into more or less motivated submissives. That is how I got married to my wife at the end. She didn't know anything about the D/s before she met me, and now she is almost a perfect sub. And when I think back, when she became one I decided to marry her.

Before her, I did initiate more than a few women into the kink and lifestyle. But I also had rather many painful separations. I had to break relationships with women who were a great match to me because they could not see themselves as submissives.
Bottom line, thank you for this great post. I believe that you are right in practically all the points. And some of your observations further prove you right.

 
At August 27, 2013 1:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hello
Read all your posts today. I enjoyed reading your journey & learning along with you :)
Thank you.

 
At September 09, 2013 4:18 AM, Anonymous Leanna said...

Hello,

BDSM was my first introduction to porn- I think I was 12 or 13 when I found a ‘dungeon’ website- for a while I think I thought all kinds of sex looked like that, and BDSM was pretty much what I envisioned as a norm. As time passed, I think I ‘conditioned’ myself to increasingly rougher porn- I’m 18 now and I literally cannot get myself off on anything other than very rough sex or bondage. I cannot envision myself in a relationship without BDSM (be it the TPE variety or in small doses)

And it is this exact problem that has prevented me from getting into a long-term relationships. I know I’m only 18, and that I shouldn’t dismiss partners just because there’s a possibility they’re not into the stuff I’m into, but I don’t know how to tell if people are interested in BDSM, and I don’t think I can be in a relationship with someone who isn’t-my problem is that “Hey, would you be ok with being my Dominant” isn’t exactly a thing that you’d ask someone! To top this off i’m also a virgin- I don’t even know if I should be *sure* that I am confident of wanting BDSM in my life, at some point in the future.

Any advice is welcome and much appreciated :)

 
At September 09, 2013 9:31 AM, Blogger Will said...

Leanna, it sounds like the BDSM porn you found as an adolescent awakened your kinky self. I think the earlier one discovers that, the more likely you are to have fulfilling relationships as an adult.

Raising the topic of kink with someone you're interested is a lot easier since the runaway success of "50 Shades of Gray". Now you can simply ask, "Hey, why do you think those books sold so well?" If the someone knows what unfolds in the stories, and has positive opinions about that, it's a good indication you should keep digging. Another leading topic is gender roles in marriage, e.g. comparing contemporary practices with the 1950s and even Victorian era -- "Have you heard that some modern couples enjoy a 1950s (or Victorian) lifestyle?"

I hesitate to suggest online sources for someone with limited dating experience... But have you tried Fetlife and OKCupid as a way to connect with people? (See also Online BDSM Dating Tips.)

Regarding your lack of sexual experience, I think it's unlikely that your fantasies are leading you in the wrong direction. As far as kink goes, they seem to be a good guide to one's interests/needs.

 
At September 17, 2013 8:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh this was disheartening...my bf of over 4 years recently told me he'd been into kink for over a decade. And I had no idea. So now I'm left with all these feelings of betrayal and frustration while we try to figure things out. Since he "confessed" we've been a lot more open but I'm paranoid he'll leave for someone in the lifestyle. I'm giving it more time (we have a child together) so maybe we'll be the exception! :/

 
At October 20, 2013 10:10 PM, Blogger tri4me said...

I appreciate your honesty and have to agree. My issue as a single female is trying to figure out when to let someone know I have these desires. It seems once any type of sex is mentioned that is all they think about. For someone like me who wants a long term relationship that includes D/s it is dis-heartening.
I am going to go back to read more of your blog. I just found it searching for types of Doms for someone.

 
At October 28, 2013 5:06 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had written a lengthy reply - as a sub no longer willing to settle for a non Dom man, it is lonely. But it is better than being in a relationship that has no chance of being truly fulfilling for either partner.

 
At November 08, 2013 2:33 AM, Anonymous Crystal Alison said...

i am in a relationship with a wonderful man who loves me and is perfect. he even cooks for me, takes care of me and is great in bed(for someone who just likes vanilla sex), but i am feeling so frustrated.

i am a sub female, have been since i started having sexual fantasies at pre-teen and maybe even before then too. when i was a kid and there was a boy i like, i would let him catch me at tag just to feel grab roughly (small details like that). before i even know how most people had sex or were intimate with each other i imagine fantasies with some rope and choking or some type pain involved and this to me was not a bad fantasy.

Now i am with this man who if i am lucky will spank me and put his hand on my throat. i have talked to him about it but he has says things like "we'll get there" or gives me a awkward expression that says "wow!". we have been together for three years with him knowing what i want. i feel so guilty and dirty for even bringing up with him and pressuring him. i have stopped requesting to not pressure him but i feel so frustrated. i don't know what to do other than try to forget how i am, but then i do shit like look up the BDSM poor or look for advise on how to deal with this on the internet and find this blog.
one of my guy friends one time said as a joke "hey if u dare i'll freakin tie u up" when i was pretending like i was going to spill soda all over him. i got arouse then later when i was alone felt guilty about it and cried. things like that shouldn't make you cry.
i found that i don't want to be around as much and i have been doing things behind him. if he find me watching the BDSM porn he would not be happy and say that i am getting too much into the weird sex and should prob watch the normal porn. i hav recently put up a account in fetlife but would never cheat on him ever i just wanted to see what was there and if there was any advice i could get. i really don't know what to do. maybe i can just find a way to not want it anymore(hypnotist, trying over time)? has anyone succeeded in vanilla/kink relationship?

 
At November 08, 2013 3:21 AM, Blogger Will said...

Crystal, beyond what's in the article, I don't have further advice for you. But Shakespeare does: "This above all: to thine own self be true."

And I think perhaps you've already decided what to do, but not yet admitted it to yourself...

 
At November 18, 2013 7:42 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, I've been with my bf for 9 months this week, actually.. He's submissive... And I'm his Dominant and Mistess... I guess I was "Vanilla" or still am, but I'm definitely finding out that I really enjoy being Dominant... Some of it has been really intense... Bc of the Kink we do... It's not the lifestyle, as I don't think I could handle it, just in the bedroom... And we both love it... I also have a fetlife profile... I'm under BeautifulXoXo. :) Check me out if you want! :)

 
At November 18, 2013 9:34 AM, Blogger Will said...

BeautifulXoXo, if being your boyfriend's domme or top is satisfying for how it makes you feel, versus how it makes him feel, then I'd guess your kinky relationship will be sustainable. And if this romance doesn't extend into eternity, you may find yourself seeking a similar role in future relationships. First contact with a kinky partner is how many of us discover a latent taste for kink...

 
At December 14, 2013 9:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen ...
I concur 100% with your point of view.
I'm a married man in the mid 40's... Love my vanilla wife for 20 years but shelving my true D nature is very painful. It is like living life at third or less than I'd like to.

I remember recognizing the "kink bite" way before adolescence... Sometimes I think of it as a curse but it is what I am...

 
At December 22, 2013 3:25 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You have no idea how happy this article made me. Thank you for writing this. I found your site through google and I'm certainly looking forward to browse through everything else with given time.

I've dated vanilla men and well, there's always something that keeps us apart despite the great chemistry. I know now that it's always because of me as I always want more than what vanilla men could offer. I too learned, albeit painfully each time, that love doesn't conquer everything.

I think there are so many occasions when a person who's not mature enough and have low self-esteem think that they could be happy if they change who they are as a person in order to be accepted. Things would obviously blow up sooner or later. Again, I can say this because I've experienced it. But I wouldn't take back any of those past relationships because they all had made me grow and be a better person. I'm a much happier person today than I was back in my adolescent years. I now have a pretty good idea of what I expect for in a partner, which makes me happy and sad at the same time.

It is difficult to be a single submissive woman as I know it is difficult for you to be a single Dom. It does get lonely but I would rather wait because I believe that when the time and place is right, I know that I will find him.

It's soooo nice that this is not just another site that only details graphic BDSM sex. I love exploring the psychology part of relationship as it fascinates me. Thank you for writing and sharing your insights and feelings. And please keep writing! =)

T

 
At December 27, 2013 6:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This rings true for me, "Sexually adventurous is NOT the same as kinky! " I thought it was the same. I am not a prude, have been pretty adventuresome sexually, so when my BF said he was kinky I thought I knew what he meant. Clearly I did not, early in our non-sexual relationship the reference he made to a woman he "played with" had no meaning either. As soon as we became sexual and I brought up being exclusive he told me about his Dominant role with this woman. I am not and can never be submissive and like others here have been the victim of physical and sexual abuse. The thought of violence and pain getting him aroused is revolting. I tried to understand, I can't and I see only frustration and sadness in my future. I was momentarily delusional thinking that if he cared enough he wouldn't need to dominate a woman… from what I read here I was wrong. It is painful to say goodbye to someone I care about and enjoy. We are done!!

 
At January 01, 2014 4:58 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I know this is late. I've only just found this blog and think it's fantastic!
In reply to the poster above, oh! Do I feel your pain!
I'm in the same position myself, after recently leaving a long-term (not kinky enough by half) relationship. I have the same trouble with the men I meet, and I'm also sick of being 'My First Submissive' for guys who become progressively more vanilla.

 
At January 01, 2014 5:05 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

And I'll try again, I pressed publish way too soon...

So, if you (Will) or anyone else have any ideas, I'm all ears, thanks!


 
At January 10, 2014 11:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

In every article I've read about bdsm lifestyles, it mentions that people are born with it, just as this article does. And if anyone protests that reasoning, it is because they are experience in their position(sub/dom) and have "awakened" their other half.
But do you think it is possible for two inexperienced lovers to explore this? Recently, my partner revealed that he is interested in domination(having only researched it online). After I did my own research and dispelled all of my previous biases, I started to realize that many of the thinks that get me excited or make me happy are in line with the submissive personality. We've tried a few little baby steps and so far have enjoyed them. Do you think it is possible that we could make a sub/dom relationship or do you think we are just adventurous?

 
At January 11, 2014 2:33 AM, Blogger Will said...

Yes, I think it's perfectly reasonable for lovers who are inexperienced with kink to explore it together. Just make sure you both do some research on new interests before diving into them. As they say, "Safety is no accident!"

Do you need to know right now what your explorations will reveal about yourself? I'd urge you to do what feels arousing and bonding, and ponder what to call it later. Enjoy the process of discovery, wherever it leads. See also Discovering, Embracing, Revealing the Self.

 
At March 03, 2014 8:07 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

That makes my heart hurt. Guess im shelving it. :-(

 
At March 22, 2014 9:28 AM, Blogger vanilla.influx said...

i have 2 questions for any men/women out there: i am female/str8
1) how do you spot a kinky man? not the arrogant player who thinks throwing you around the bed and slapping you twice is oh-so-kinky but the man who is willing to go beyond vanilla and truly play the part. i find most just pretend to be kinky in order to justify rough but passionless sex.
2) is it possible for a good man who is into bdsm to have a life-long relationship with a woman who is submissive to him? will be respect her despite engaging in forceful/degrading activities in the bedroom? how do you reconcile treating your woman as a slave and then kissing her good morning?
thanks for any replies-

 
At March 24, 2014 2:44 PM, Blogger Will said...

vanilla.influx, you ask "How do you spot a kinky man?" I'm not sure you can sight them from a distance, but when you meet someone and discover chemistry with him, you can bring up the topic of kink in clever ways, for instance asking his take on the 50 Shades books and why he thinks they sold so well. Next you ask, "How do you reconcile treating your woman as a slave and then kissing her good morning?" Any person is a diverse collection of beliefs and behaviors, and contradictions among them are inevitable. For more, see Discovering, Embracing, Revealing the Self.

 
At April 08, 2014 5:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a straight female submissive and I have tried vanilla relationships but they never last. i tend to get bored and the sex well...i'm sorry but it really is bad! so these days i am in a D/s relationship but he is married however we have wonderful but rare play dates...he is in a vanilla marriage and i am single. i view it as a little fantastic is better than a lot of bleh!
haha as far as 50 shades of grey, if he says he liked the book i would probably run, because i hated it! it portrayed the BDSM community as people that needed to be fixed, if he agreed with me or had a similar viewpoint i would be very interested in him :)
Funny thing about all of this is, is the Dom who basically showed me who i was and made me realize i was a sub, is about ready to marry a vanilla woman! he told me that they pretend they are fucking another person, i hope it works for him but somehow i see hearts breaking really soon.

 
At April 22, 2014 7:33 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Don't run from what you enjoy, indulge in it. You will be free one day.

 
At May 22, 2014 7:26 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your blog has great information and insight.
I am new to the whole D/s lifestyle. Your blog has some awesome advice. Thank you for posting your ideas, experience, and words of widsom. I know a few people that could benefit from reading your blog.

 
At May 25, 2014 10:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Im really struggling I was/am sexually adventurous and was vanilla till i met my partner of 3 years, he was a submissive but his main relationships were with vanilla women. I played at dom and sub and he is sub but mostly doms with me, but we hardly ever have sex, every 6 weeks, when we have normal sex he seems uninterested and only maintains a hard on because i do stuff that to keep it that way ( squeeze it really hard at his base) for a year and a half everytime I have tried to initiate sex it has been no but then he tweaks my nipples or whatever but my self esteem is so low now he has never really looked at me with desire so physically/visually I know he isn't attracted to me (i'm not a latex model) and mentally I'm not a real dom my heart is hurting because despite talking and his reassurance that he desires me he shows no passion or desire for me except very very occasionally when drunk or when he is aroused when in his cat suit but this feels like it has nothing to do with me and us, our passion.

 
At May 25, 2014 1:12 PM, Blogger Will said...

If your frustration or disappointment has reached the point where you're reaching out for help, it's probably time to re-evaluate the relationship. Ask yourself why you've continued in it, what its benefits and downsides are, whether those benefits make it worth the downsides...

 
At May 31, 2014 2:06 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just got out of an 18 month relationship which was vaguely centered around power play. He knew that I was submissive in nature and since he was rough and could satisfy my need for dominating sex it worked well for a while... But in the end he didn't feel like a dominant. I was eager and always trying to bring new ideas to the table, and instead of trying to take control of those ideas or take control of me he felt like he wasn't in charge because I was the one starting everything. What was worse was that, as it was mentioned in this article, I topped him from time to time. That simply wasn't satisfying for me, not really. It aroused me but it didn't feel right and afterwards I felt weird. I'm not even completely sure of how kinky I truly am simply because I've never had a chance of having someone truly take control of me in a knowledgeable and patient manner. And now I have entered into a simply sexual relationship and although my partner is willing to explore and take a rougher approach to sex, thanks to this article I realized that this will wane and not last, and won't be as satisfying as a true dom/sub relationship would be. Being young and single in a college of people who are only exploring and trying things out is exciting... but also disheartening.

 
At June 04, 2014 10:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If I had only realized this 12 years ago. And from my personal experience. You will wakeup one day. You will keep trying to bury this part of yourself. It will always feel like a piece of you is missing. You can try and you can make it work. But you live an exist of constant frustration. That makes you like. it is a betray to person you are suppose to be loyal.

 
At June 08, 2014 12:50 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank so much for your encouraging words. I have always known I was different. Ever since I was 5 I wanted to help. I have constantly been taken for granted by my family, community while volunteering, and of course all of my relationships. For many years I haven't been able to understand why others do not help the way I do. I never said anything but felt sorry for them so I would try even harder to make up for what they couldn't do. I have been single 7yrs now because of bad choices that I do not want to repeat. The past 3 years I became self destructive by letting my body be sold and I was constantly in dangerous situations. I couldn't understand how I let this happen and so quickly. When I began my research on my feelings is when the sun came out. I finally understand who I am and all the pieces are coming together. But now I'm fighting urges to serve and it's painful. I need guidance and have none. I have been looking for a strong man in the vanilla world but am just so frustrated. I am scared to communicate with a Dom because my body trembles. I do not want to be fooled by a Master because I may not heal for a long time. I am overwhelmed but you gave peace of mind with your words and I will sleep. Thank you. Sincerely, Vida

 
At June 08, 2014 8:50 AM, Blogger Terry said...

I've been avoiding this discussion for a while. I've had strong submissive/masochist desires since I was a little boy. I was always ashamed of it. I tried to evade asking to be dominated by women. I always thought that if I suppressed these feelings, they'd eventually go away. Ironically, the more I try to avoid them, the stronger the urges become. If I avoid any thoughts on this for long periods of time, I go through a frenzy of doing things to myself every day for about a week. Now, I'm ten years married to a woman who has no interest in this. I have no idea what she really thinks about it all because we don't talk that much, period. She has accepted that it's apart of me because she's caught me doing these things to myself and I tried to tell her before we married. I guess it doesn't throw her off enough to leave me. I've loved her since the day I met her. Leaving her over this now would seem wrong as we've grown used to eachother and we depend on eachother in other ways. She doesn't want any sex anymore and I'm overloaded with my needs. As a rational person who sources out all my issues at the root, I've come to accept this as a part of who I am. I have to act on it or I will lose mind. Sucks

 
At June 09, 2014 11:47 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi, I read this with great interest. I had a recent experience that being submissive which lead me standing on the edge of a precipice not knowing why or how. I have been struggling since to understand whether I am submissive as a victim of my sexual history or because it was innate. I've just started to join the dots. I'm so relieved to begin thinking that I'm not a victim with a consequential desire to be a submissive. I gave myself to those situations when I was younger because I am submissive, I wanted to submit to my desires, my lust. The fact that no-one pleased me made no difference. I've avoided sex for 21 years not because, as I previously thought, I am virtuous or loyal to some ideal guy I've never met, but because vanilla sex doesn't have the power over me that it has over vanilla women. I'm beginning to see the light. I don't feel ashamed and I think the fear is receding.
Thank you.
Jemaplay
Derbyshire

 
At June 11, 2014 3:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just found this post and it something that really hits home with me.

I've been with my partner for 6 years, he's wonderful and not entirely vanilla but he isn't a Dom. When we met I had just gotten out if a bad relationship and I need to be with someone who would demand anything from in the relationship. I love him, he's an amazing person we have a wonderful relationship.... but he isn't a Dom. We've spent the last two years goingvng back and forth with this...he tries for me but it's never quite there. I've taken the lead throughout our relationship and now I just can't see him as my Dom.

He's not willing to let me try a Ds relationship outside of ours (yet)... I don't think he ever will be. He's kinky but not a Dom. I can't imagine my life without him, I adore him and he is truly an amazing person.

I honestly don't know what to do. I don't want to hurt him. I also don't want to be wrong and lose him for something I may not end up being to take how I imagine it.

 
At June 12, 2014 2:31 PM, Blogger Will said...

Vida, I'd suggest you find kinky confidants by befriending some other submissive women. Fetlife is a good source for such folks; see the regional discussion forums for your area. Also, given the "self destructive" behavior you've been through, a kink-aware therapist could be a big help. You don't have to go into details of your D/s desires with a counselor, but you at least want them to be OK with BDSM sexuality.

 
At June 14, 2014 6:42 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

As so many others have said, thank you for such an open and honest post. I'm in my late twenties and have been married to my amazing husband for 2 years (together for 6). I suppose that deep down I've always known that I'm a sub. It's funny that other people mention playing tag because I have a very vivid memory of doing the same thing and trying to get the boy who caught me to tie me up with my skipping rope. Too bad I ignored the signs all along.

Now I'm married to an amazing man who isn't a Dom. The most I've gotten is a light spank or hair pull. Don't get me wrong, I haven't tried playing a true sub role yet, but mainly because I've been shut down by my husband when I bring it up. It makes me want to broach the subject of possibly having a Dom outside of the relationship, but how do you bring that up without crushing your partners self-esteem?

L

 
At June 15, 2014 12:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

20+ years as a submissive Daddys girl. This is my second time trying to go vanilla because of how heart breaking the ending of my Ds relationships have been.. After a year now.. I just can't keep trying to be vanilla.. but not sure I even want to try to wade the Dom waters again..

 
At June 18, 2014 11:00 AM, Blogger Will said...

L, you write that you "want to broach the subject of having a dom outside of the relationship, but how do you bring that up without crushing your partners self-esteem?" It's a delicate subject, indeed. You might be able to couch the concept as a way to exercise your inner masochist, in SM sessions that would preclude actual sex. Kink play partnerships often have parameters like that.

 
At July 03, 2014 9:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So, what if you're somewhere between vanilla and sub? See, I'm not into serious discomfort, humiliation, ropes, or blindfolds...but I am only turned on by a very sexually dominant man. I find that vanilla guys tend to want me on top. I don't like being on top- ever. But Dom guys want to use tools and props, and that doesn't turn me on at all. What I want is an extremely masculine man who will push me down, hold me down, pull my hair and give me what I want by taking what he wants. It has to be organic- no props. I can't seem to explain that to anyone. *sigh*

 
At July 04, 2014 3:54 PM, Blogger Will said...

What you're describing is often called a "sensual dominant" (as opposed to "sadistic dominant"), and they certainly exist. However they may think of what they like as rough sex more than dominance. Knowing whether you want such a guy to dominate you in ways outside the bedroom as well as within it would be helpful in your search for him.

At the end of the day, most of us form a lasting relationship based on chemistry and general compatibility, more than specific sexual interests. You can certainly ask a new lover to start with just his bare hands. But assuming you have magic together, don't rule out most forms of kink before you know how it feels to try them with him.

 
At July 04, 2014 11:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Will, where is your email, I can't seem to find it, I would like ask you a question via email. If that's cool.

 
At July 05, 2014 12:21 AM, Blogger Will said...

I'm at thejourneyofwill on gmail!

 
At July 07, 2014 10:51 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I discovered that I am a little after I got married. My husband isnt into anything related to bdsm. I tried explaining what I need but he is too uncomfortable to listen fully, and he is acting according to what he thinks I need and being too dominant (mean, not understanding or listening to my side, telling me what to do). I dont know what to do anymore and I'm scared my marriage is doomed.

 
At July 09, 2014 7:57 PM, Blogger Will said...

I listed a few possibilities in the second to last paragraph of the article on what you can do if you discover your kinky side after you're married. However if your husband won't engage in open-minded conversation, your options may be limited. You can be persistent in raising the topic with him in hopes of wearing down his resistance, or you can consider finding a separate BDSM play-partner.

 
At July 13, 2014 5:30 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

I absolutely love this piece. I am a submissive and do take the lead in vanilla relationships and like you said it makes me feel uncomfortable. Its not my place to lead I want/crave to be led.

Now to if only there was a way to spot single dominant men. ;)

 
At July 21, 2014 1:18 AM, Anonymous Mysterio1966 said...

Loved the article, but it didn't address the issue of being a "S/switch" -- where we take turns being Dom(me) or sub with each other.

We've BOTH had serious issues with either being forced to be "in control" or forced to be submissive as a survival mechanism in the past. We have amazing communication however and over the 13 years we've been together, we've explored many ways of dealing with our issues in a healthy manner (and a safe one!) that allows us the mutual choice in the power structure and nurtures what we each need from the other, which can change from day-to-day, going from days to weeks/months and even years!

Now, I've been told that there us truly no such thing as a S/switch; that you're just afraid of admitting to actually being a 100% Dom(me) or submissive. After 13 years with this man, and after almost 19 years with my ex-husbands, I can tell you there really IS such a thing and it works very well.

We also don't count exploratory or adventurous sex as being part of our S/switch lifestyle. That's separate from the power and control issues.

My two shekels worth!
Mysterio1966

 
At August 17, 2014 2:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say that the guy who also made me realise I was sub also is about to marry his vanilla gf. He's been a Dom for 16 years... I don't understand how that will work.....

 
At September 15, 2014 1:40 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Hi my name is Kat. Thank you for sharing! I am still young and fairly new to the idea of being kinky or a sub.
I met a guy 2 years ago and the first time we had sex was incredible! We were very physically attracted to each other from the start which made sex that much better. His txt messages after that started to change and be a little for aggressive when he would talk about sexual acts. The next time we had sex he wanted to role play, I was the slave and he was the Master. He was firm, strong and rough, but still gentle with me. Things soon started to progress extremely fast. He wanted to get rougher and had the desire to "degrade" as foreplay. I thoroughly enjoyed that as well, but I still had/have trouble understanding him. He's never found a woman interested in letting him do those things to them.
He now wants me to dominate him for a change. I am very excited for that and we txt and send videos to keep the excitement going but I'm worried about him possibly getting bored with me. I am not sure what he might want next. We get rough with bondage, spanking, gagging, and other things, but I don't know how far I would be willing to go? He likes to make me cry, and I very much enjoy it, but what if he wants to make things more painful? I have a very low tolerance for pain so maybe he'll like that he can make me cry easily, but maybe he'll want to keep going until he's excited. We aren't in a relationship nor are we exclusive with each other. And I know he has his doubts about me. I really like him and want him to be happy, but I don't know how long I will be able to do that for him.

 
At October 01, 2014 5:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

this so explains my heartbreak of falling deeply in love with a sub. he taught me a few things and slowly brought out a few things I enjoyed but then when it came time for me to inflict pain and other "stuff" I balked and could not perform it. Our sex life came to an abrupt halt and we have been having issues for the last 8 months. I realize now I can never make him happy the way he needs nor him make me happy or fulfilled. a shame cuz he is a great guy otherwise.

 
At October 02, 2014 6:14 PM, Blogger Lady Allora said...

As a sub woman who is fairly young many people believe that finding pleasure in pain is a phase that I will eventually grow out of. My partners up until now have somewhat catered to my kink but the crave for someone to truly push me is still there. They don't understand that there is a difference between rough sex and true domination, which is what I crave. They all think a little hair pulling and light spanking is enough but it's not. I want to be humiliated and degraded and pushed to the point where pain and pleasure are one in the same. I don't crave to be at the same level as my partner as most vanilla women do because it brings me no joy. I don't want to have to tell my partner what I like or fake pleasure just to appease vanilla men. I derive pleasure from pain it is a trait that I was born with and will never out grow.

 
At October 06, 2014 4:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have been married for 20 years half my life to a wonderful man. He is the only man I have ever been with and he has never been with anyone else either. Sex has alway been difficult to initiate for both of us. I don't think we ever new how to label our roles just kinda figured it out together. He preferes me to take the lead and I have done so even though it goes against my inner desire to be submissive. Two subs in a marriage for 20 years.......Its crazy how much you can put up with for love. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. I recently talked to him and put it all out on the table. I asked him to tell me what he really wants and to be honest with me and I will do the same. Turns out he is vanilla and likes looking to me for guidance, and I am definately a sub. So while he has been satisfied all these years I have been growing to resent him and am starting to feel anger towards him. Remember that we have never been with another partner and he is quite happy with the status quo. I asked him how he felt about starting an open marriage where I am free to explore my submissive side. After lots of truly respectful and calm discussions he feels like he is alright with that as long as its not with anyone he knows and he dosn't want to know anything about it. I feel free and scared. Can he truly be alright with it? I don't want to end our marriage but I also feel as though I'm dying inside. Sex is becoming more and more infrequent (6 months) I am willing to continue in my role as lead to his vanilla but am scared that if i satisfy my urges with someone else it might ruin our marriage. I truly wish I had had several partners before marriage so I could have discovered my sexual tastes. As much as I love him and am commited to him now, I would not have married him. Had I known.

 
At October 11, 2014 1:46 PM, Blogger Will said...

Hm, "I would not have married him, had I known" is a a strong statement. You might benefit from further exploring your feelings for your husband, possibly with a counselor.

That said, open marriages are not uncommon. A LOT of kinky people find themselves in your shoes — married to a vanilla person. But many open-minded vanilla spouses can understand and support their partner's need for a separate kinky relationship. Sure, it is possible that finding a compatible kink partner could cause you to question your marriage further; or it might make you a more appreciative, affectionate wife!

 
At October 12, 2014 12:45 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have corrupted my 46 y.o boyfriend into a DOM, for at least a few minutes here and there. Vanilla was not fulfilling. I think he is appreciating the idea of taking control beyond the physical response from me when he does. It will never be the same as with a true dom, but at least I'll get off .......

 
At October 17, 2014 11:05 PM, Anonymous Spooky said...

I am begining to think the thrill I had in childhood games, of being the "damsel in distress" and always volunteering to be tied up in those sort of games was my sub side waiting to be explored. I am very interested in the scenes, sexually, and the 50's sort of lifestyle as well. How do I go about finding out more? My fiancé and I have begun exploring this but I don't know what to do. I have this deep craving for someone to be the kind of Dom I read about in a different article and in articles like these.

 
At October 18, 2014 8:14 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This article is very useful thank you. It confirms what I feared though. How do you just say to someone that you don't want to be with them anymore because they are too vanilla? How do you explain to somebody that sex with them feels awkward because all you really want is to be collared and called a dirty slut? Guess it has to be done though :/

 
At October 19, 2014 4:24 PM, Blogger Will said...

Spooky, I've heard many subs describe childhood damsel-in-distress experiences. BDSM blogs, porn, and discussion sites are a great place to start your explorations. Browse them together with your fiance and discuss what you find intriguing!

 
At October 20, 2014 6:21 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If I was a dramatic person I'd say that your article has changed my life lol. My boyfriend and I are 24 and 23 respectively and we have been together for 8 years. Predictably, we were virgins before our relationship began. I spent the first six of those 8 years pleasing him and he spent them enjoying the pleasure I gave. The subject of my orgasm never came up and I never had one. Now I masturbate during sex to get my orgasm- he is either disinterested in my pleasure or to inexperienced to take my advice on how to give it.

We had sex again today and I felt upset and resentful afterwards as usual. Until today I always wondered why I felt unfulfilled after sex. Unlike many women I can achieve orgasm very easily and very quickly. I thought that my feelings were because his pleasure still takes presidency over mine all of the time but now I realize that it's because I need to be dominated.

I've actually always liked kinky sex, always wanted to submit. Even before I was a teenager and really understood sex, my porn choices were not vanilla. Bondage, torture, choking, pissing, asphyxiation, even (embarrassingly enough) scat, were common things I masturbated to. Now I read BDSM erotica and I imagine being dominated by men in those stories when we have sex. If I don't imagine it I either can't orgasm or it takes forever.

He is aware of most of my fetishes. He has chocked me once or twice but he doesn't have a dominant bone in his body and I end up resenting him more when he seductively tells me that he is going to spank me and then it's sex as usual.

He finds BDSM weird and your article made me realize that it is something I need if I'm ever going to have a fulfilling sex life. I'm not willing to leave him but I will try to get up the courage to ask him if I can have a dominant outside of our relationship. I wouldn't even need to have sex with him. All I would need is a few hours of someone taking away my control. Then I could carry those memories back with me and have satisfying sex with my boyfriend. Do non sexual D/s relationships exist?

I apologize for the long post.

 
At October 30, 2014 3:16 PM, Blogger Will said...

Non-sexual, or not-so-sexual, D/s relationships do exist. Just note that if you feel really turned on by the kink, and close to your top, you'll likely want him to do you in the process. And if that's out of bounds for your vanilla relationship, then it might be worth re-evaluating what a romantic partnership means to you.

 
At November 07, 2014 7:08 AM, Anonymous Ben Royston said...

One of the doms replying said about his wife: "She didn't know anything about the D/s before she met me, and now she is almost a perfect sub."

I have a similar problem with my wife. She schools herself to be submissive, because her religious outlook compels her to submit to her husband. In reality, she abhors any pain except very mild "spanking" whereas I crave for a true submissive embracing painful treatment.

At the same time, I wonder about myself. I am definitely turned off by torture that damages a partner, or "torturing" a woman without her active consent. Does that make me almost vanilla myself?

I am very new to actually trying out bondage, and its taken me ten years to get my wife to accept it.

 
At November 12, 2014 5:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What I'm about to say is probably very debatable & many would this is ridiculous, but I personally think that some of us are just born this way, liking what we like. I've been into BDSM before I was even aware of what sex was-for example, when I'd see say, a movie that took place in medeval times & a woman was in a dungeon or shackled or something like that. Or if there was a movie where there was an intruder or something. I was too young to even know what sex was or know what sexual feelings were, but I knew that it excited & fascinated me. I'd imagine what that would feel like to be the girl in the movie, & it just really...I don't know, it just really fascinated me, I can't explain it. As time went on, I felt so guilty & ashamed about it-I'd always felt that men & women should have equal rights, as do most women, & that's pretty much the norm for women to express that. So how could I feel that way, but then also secretly fantasize about being dominated by a man. When I found out that what I was feeling was very common & even had a name, I was so happy, as well as relieved that I wasn't some sicko.

Nevertheless, despite having some partners that were also into it, & knowing it was perfectly normal, at one point I tried to supress it. I'm in my early 30s now, & dating a wonderful man, who's for the most part vanilla. He does seem curious about certain things like spanking, or he's said he'd love to tie me up-after I'd told him that stuff was ok he seemed surprised, then interested. However the fact that he hadn't really done anything like that, I don't think he could every truly be a Dom-I think he'd have figured it out beforehand, & anything we've ever done hasn't escalated too far, at least not as far as I'd like. If I felt like he was doing something just solely for my sake, I don't think I could enjoy myself, plus it's just not in his nature. So like I said, I've tried to supress it, even managed to convince myself that I'd 'outgrown' BDSM for a bit. But then lo & behold, I've been finding myself reading BDSM erotica, looking at BDSM porn, quite alot lately. I really love and care about my boyfriend, but at the same time I kind of have this sad feeling, almost like I'm just not going to ever be able to have what I desire in certain ways. I don't cheat-I'm very loyal, when I'm with someone, I'm with them, I've never cheated in my life. But...I don't know, I just feel sad sometimes because I feel like it's something that I'm going to have to have to say goodbye to, other than watching porn by myself, or my fantasies. I don't want to lose him, I care about him alot. But I really do crave certain things, & for real, with a real person, not just my imagination.

 
At November 18, 2014 11:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post (and to the many comments). I have for quite some time been considered sexually adventurous and been into "light kink", but recently started dating someone who is dominant (I think? Or he may be a switch?) - while still being extremely caring and kind. After a first "attempt" at true kink, during which I cried because I wasn't really sure 1- what to expect, and 2- why he wanted to tie me up or 3- if I would be "safe".. After which we talked, and then had loving, romantic, and adventurous "straight" sex.... I started to research s&m, tying, etc. Contrary to the clichés of my generation, I did not grow up watching copious porn online, nor have I ever had a rape/tying/sub/pain fantasy. I have expressed an interest in "going slow" with an introduction to his preferences, but I honestly feel like I am leagues behind what he wants and craves in a partner (he has had several d/s relationships), and even if I were to attempt to 'catch up' to where he is now, he would keep moving forward (or "deeper" as some of the comments have called it)
making it impossible.. In the meantime, he has taken my "let's take it slowly" to mean that I am unwilling to explore, and so we are only having adventurous "straight" sex.. I'm not sure how to tell him that I'm interested in a continuation of exploring, and I can tell that he is not totally into our current sex life.. He has every once in a while given more insight into why he enjoys the Dom role, and why he would like to tie me up/do other things to me, which is extremely comforting.. I feel like I need to understand the why before I'm interested in the act. His explanations of it being so that he can focus on my body and on enjoying and caring for each and every part of me so that i may experience pleasure without being in control, where i have to trust him, makes sense to me. That is, in my mind, essentially the same principal as in "straight" sex, except that in the latter i can usually move my arms.. At the same time, I do not find that threshold of pain to be a turn on, and your article and these comments make me feel like perhaps we should potentially end our relationship if I'm identifying as 'only' sexually adventurous.. I don't want to be the woman with her husband saying, as that one gentleman states, 'my wife is almost the perfect sub after years of training'.. I want my partner and I to have a fulfilling sexual relationship for both of us; i don't want to be considered "almost able to fill his needs".. And what happens if, like other ppl above, I lose interest and just fake it? I cannot fake sex for the rest of my life.. I also keep thinking about what I would tell my kids.. Would I let them watch the Addams family movie & say that mommy and daddy are just like Morticia and Gomez? Or would I keep it a secret? Would I want my children to grow up interested in S&M? I know my parents wouldn't want it for me..
Sorry for venting, and to those on the s&m side, these are a few of the things going through your "straight" sexually adventurous partners minds...

-lost and unsure S.A.






 
At November 25, 2014 5:45 PM, Blogger Will said...

Dear Ben, you write "I am definitely turned off by torture that damages a partner, or 'torturing' a woman without her active consent. Does that make me almost vanilla myself?" — No sir, that makes you sensible and caring, both essential qualities in a top. To practice either of the above would constitute abuse.

 
At December 01, 2014 2:31 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What if you have a spouse whos only turn on is the reaction he can get out of you? Would he be considered submisive/dominant for that? I mean, he does not normally innitiate sex in a regular basis, his work schedule is really physically exausting. However, he is eager once I provoke him. His natural tendency is not ussually to create roughness, he is normally a quite and gentle individual that could care less if I boss the house, he is very counfortable to just be the provider and let me take care of household things(bills etc). I on the other hand, cannot even orgasm in a top possition during sex, and therefore avoid them at all cost, will do only if asked, which happens only rarely. I have not exprecedly asked him to dominate, because I am afraid it will send the wrong message, as I only want sensual domination. When sex naturally becomes rougher or some small things like spanking and light wipping is introduced, we never really talked about it, it is like I grab a household item that I think could be used and place it near us. Now, by the mere use of dominant traits by him, my body responds like crazy, and i can't stop it from responding, at those moments he changes completely, the ussually mellow guy becomes an extremely masculine man and does the most crazy (for vanila) things to me, lets just say the household objects (wooden padles, fruits, ice, charger cords, you name it) get used pretty well lol.
But my point is, he does not talk about it afterwards, it sort of seems like a lapse or momentary change in personality, in no way is this translated to everyday life or even mentioned, so I wonder, is this dominant attitude due just to my very strong physical reaction to sub positions?(some call it female ejaculation) or is he really dominant inside and is afraid to say it?
I am very confused, because I don't consider myself a submisive person at all, but only sub position or roles turn me on sexually. I am the creative one when it comes to bringing objects in and that sort of thing, but I can never plainly ask him to use it, I am always sort of hinting to it by putting them on his path. I guess i want a dominant man, but not a domineering(overlycontroling) one,and how can I talk about this without sending the wrong message? submission have very different cognotations in everyday life than sexually speaking, how can a couple reconcile both?
Any help?

 
At December 02, 2014 5:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have been seeing an old boyfriend recently. I hadn't been as adventurous in bed as I know he has over the years we were apart so I've been on eggshells in the bedroom trying to let him lead me but it hasn't been very satisfying for either of us. This past weekend he asked me if I had any dominatrix in me. I think that explains a lot. I think we both think I'm naturally dom, but how does a greenhorn dom satisfy a very experienced sub? Wouldn't him 'training' me be exactly the opposite of what roles we want to fulfill? Can a man be sub in the bedroom but still be the dominant one in the relationship - or is that a totally naive thing to ask? I'm so glad he told me and I'm excited for what the future has in store for us, but how do we get there?

 
At December 03, 2014 3:26 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I would also like to know this. I have been with my partner for 14 years since teenagers and only found out in the last 2-3 years about his submissive tendencies, despite him being a very dominant alpha male outside of the bedroom. I have a very demanding job, which requires me to be dominant day to day and so I like that he is dominant in our day to day relationship. I think however, I am vanilla but adventurous as mentioned previously. I try to be a dominant for him but don't ever feel it is enough and it is causing us problems in the relationship. I guess I'm just not that good with role playing. And so I now find myself googling what to do about having a submissive partner who needs to be dominated and how to fulfil this role. I feel that he will want more and more from me in a dominant role and I may not be able to keep up with his requirements. I am worried he is starting to look at alternative options as mentioned in other posts and to help with this I have offered to go to see a true dominatrix with him to learn or even watch her with him. He does also like to have me occasionally as submissive so I am not sure if he is a switch. I would appreciate people thought on this. Thanks.

 
At December 07, 2014 6:16 PM, Blogger Will said...

To the reader who creatively provokes her partner into kink in the bedroom, it sounds like you two need to have a frank, detailed conversation, about what you are each experiencing, and what the further possibilities might be. See On Communication Within a Dom/Sub Partnership. There is no need to bring your D/s roles out of the bedroom; in fact, the great majority of kinky couples confine their kinks there.

 
At December 07, 2014 6:59 PM, Blogger Will said...

To the blossoming dominatrix, the first places to start could be writing down and embellishing your personal fantasies (which are often a wonderful guide to fulfilling realities), and interviewing your boyfriend about his prior experiences, again making notes. Next, written erotica, BDSM porn, blogs, and discussion groups offer wide windows into the world of kink. If you find that your tastes differ considerably, then you have to work out whether you're more satisfied by doing what inspires you, or what titillates him. As for developing your skills as a top, that's a matter of research, perhaps tutoring (via workshops or mentors), and practice; it's not a situation where your bottom trains you.

Can your partner also lead you outside the bedroom? Of course; there is no correct D/s pattern — any kinky couple does what works for them.

 
At December 07, 2014 10:32 PM, Blogger Will said...

To the reader whose partner of 14 years has submissive tendencies, I think offering to see a dominatrix with him was a great idea. You could perhaps draw inspiration for playing the dominant role from experience as the sub, so switching with him might help you grow together. But if the job of top is not enjoyable or even comfortable for you, you might also discuss his finding a kink play partner.

 
At December 09, 2014 6:08 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am in a relationship with a man I love so much. I found out that he had a Dom side that he had never shared with me., although I would be receptive to it, as it's something that I have always wanted to explore. I have a sub side to me and want to embrace this,
He brushed it off and told me it wasn't that important to him, that just being with me was. I have since found out that he has created a profile on a dating website, looking for a sub. I confronted him once about this and told him I wanted to share this with him.we bought some toys but as yet have still not explored this side of us.

I found out last week that he is again on a dating website looking for a sub. He doesn't know that I have found out as I haven't told him. I guess I am worried that this will never stop. It al lst feels like he can't see me in that way,

Do any of you have experience in this and can guide me? I'm not vanilla, I've had some experience but am not experienced in being a sub.
Is he likely to see me in this way or is our relationship doomed as my thoughts are that he can't bury this side of him (I don't want him too) bunt he won't share it with me.

Your thoughts please

 
At December 09, 2014 3:15 PM, Blogger Will said...

I have heard a few stories about doms who felt unable to bring BDSM into initially-vanilla relationships, or were less dominant as they became more attached to a kinky partner. I would guess that such folks have internal conflict about their kinks, and haven't wrestled with integrating their loving and darker aspects. (See Discovering, Embracing, Revealing the Self.)

As for drawing out his dom side, try asking him about his D/s experiences to learn what he cherished or disliked in prior partners. Keep inquiring over time; you'll learn more and more. Then begin embodying those things that he desires, and of course develop and share your own fantasies with him. One way to enhance your intelligence gathering would be to respond to his kinky personal ad to strike up an anonymous conversation. If you try that, you'll need a different tone to avoid recognition, and you'll need to work out how long to keep your efforts a secret.

 
At December 12, 2014 11:11 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Will, Many thanks for your reponse to me "the blossoming dominatrix"! I have since spoken in detail and length with my partner, the sub. And we have sorted out a lot. I have realised that he only needs to be a sub some of the time in the bedroom and is really a switch. We have discussed seeing a dominatrix together where both of us will try being a sub at some stage so I can learn. We have discussed our limitations and we are both happy with this. We have also just attended a fetish night for the second time and so we are both learning together a bit now I guess, so we will see how we get on. To the writer on the 09 dec, I recomend you try and confront your Dom boyfriend again and try and understand why he might have guilt. If you can try to help him with this guilt he may be able to see you as his sub. I hope so anyway for your sake, as it sounds like an ideal situation if you can be his sub. Good luck with this. Communication, even if it results from an ultimatum or conflict really does work.

 
At December 14, 2014 1:35 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

After reading a lot of these comments, I just have to say I find quite a few of you selfish in the extreme. You're not loyal, giving people except in the sense of wanting to give pain. That is not natural by any standard. You need to closely examine why you are the way you are. Hurting others is not nor, will ever be love. There's nothing decent or, acceptable about it. Except to you few who find it so, to feed your dark desires. If you do this because of past experiences like, abuse, rape, etc., seek the counseling you desperately need. If this is just 'who you are', you need to examine what brought you to this point. Being a naturally, dominant person doesn't make you abusive. And, stop trying to blame others that do not want to become involved in your darkness.

 
At December 14, 2014 2:20 AM, Blogger Will said...

My first thought was to delete that comment, since this is a forum for kinky people and those who love them, not a venue to clarify BDSM to those who misunderstand it. However, I will make one attempt to do the latter; this will be the last word on the matter here.

Pain is often assumed to entail suffering as the two are often paired. But pain is a sensation, physical and/or emotional, created by stimulation (including recollection). Suffering is a state of being, created by, to oversimplify the matter, consciousness. There are many kinds of pain that people embrace without criticism: athletics, geographical exploration, childbirth, wearing high heels; the list is long. SM play belongs among these. It is done with the intent to create bonding and growth, not suffering. To those who are shocked by it, I suggest visualizing yourself performing every intense and/or dangerous activity which humans are celebrated for undertaking that you can think of. After trying this exercise every day for a week, ask yourself whether a consensual activity which the participants find rewarding can possibly be considered less reasonable than motor racing or mountaineering.

 
At December 19, 2014 6:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a married woman. I love my husband very much. He fell ill earlier this year and things haven't been the same. I was recently kinda asked if i wanted to be a sub to someone who I've known for several years. The two of us should not be together because we are the parents to our married child ren. He is engaged as well. We started a sexting thing over the summer. We don't talk all the time but we are having fun. I just found out that he is into this sorta thing. And after talking about it i kinda agreed to be his sub. I trust him, but at the same time i have concerns. It's a bit scary. I've never done this before. I have a strong feeling he will meet the needs that i have. Not sure what my question is. Just looking for advice

 
At December 19, 2014 11:01 PM, Anonymous mila said...

Your post is quite an eye opener for me, and thank you for that.
Maybe someone can give me some advice on this topic: My boyfriend and I have been dating for about 7 months, and I have to say we are perfect match. (or so I thought) until his recent confession about being a BDSM kinda guy; we haven't had any sexual altercations yet but I can tell there's a fire between us.... In a nutshell my question is if I were to stay open minded and willing to be adventurous is there anyway this can be another quality I'll enjoy about him?

 
At December 20, 2014 1:27 AM, Blogger Will said...

Dear married woman, your first responsibility is to protect your relationship with your children, and you should also be concerned with your would-be dom's future with his fiance. There are other ferocious fish in the sea! I don't think it's unreasonable to seek kink outside of your marriage if your partner is unable to participate, although it's certainly preferable if he can endorse that decision, and if new liaisons can give you positive energy that you bring home (assuming you plan to stay married).

 
At December 21, 2014 10:04 PM, Blogger Will said...

Dear mila, lots of folks are first introduced to kink by a partner, so it's very possible you'll enjoy aspects of BDSM — there's quite a menu of dark delights to choose from! Note that ramping up the intensity slowly, as your trust builds, is crucial. However if your boyfriend is inclined to something more all-encompassing, and you realize you're not, that could be an issue.

 
At December 23, 2014 6:46 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am lost and confused right now. I have a very dominant personality, I go between Domme and sub throughout the course of the day. I was in a relationship with a man who turned out to be vanilla and abusive. The Dom in me tried to take control of the situation, expose him to kink and channel his abusive nature into the controlled abuse I wanted. I feel crazy for trying to do that. I felt safe in his arms after a fight, but the dynamic of the fight was unhealthy I know. I divorced him but keep feeling drawn to him. The worst part is that we have two kids together. he doesn't call and doesn't see the kids. I know it is horrible and he is a deadbeat but i crave that emotional masochism. I mis the after care. how do i go about finding someone to understand that and how do i explain that to a new partner who is into BDSM and what should i look for a switch cuckold type?

 
At December 24, 2014 1:17 AM, Blogger Will said...

As you've discovered, abusive behaviors, although controlling and cruel, are not the same as dominant or sexually sadistic ones. Emotional SM is perhaps less common than the physical sort, but plenty of kinksters are aroused by activities that cause humiliation, fear, or other taxing mental states. Many masochists thrive on treatment that they dislike intensely in the moment, but which propels them into a bonding euphoria afterwards. BDSM discussion forums (Fetlife has good ones) might be a helpful resource for you. As for how to talk to a partner about your kinks, see On Communication Within a Dom/Sub Partnership.

 
At December 25, 2014 9:03 AM, Blogger anon said...

At the ripe old age of 55 I still feel so naive about sexuality. I am a submissive man who first felt passionate about being dominated at age 14 reading an article on the subject in a man's mag. The feeling that rushed through me was both powerful and frightening; there was no-one to talk to about it back then.

All my life I have had difficulties with relationships, not helped by being Asberger's, and although I am far from looking like Elephant Man I am not exactly tall, dark nor handsome either. Some women have been kind enough to point this out to me.

I think what I am asking if anyone might be able to help with is this: are there really any ladies out there who enjoy being dominant over a man in a sexual way? Believe it or not I find it hard to discern whether there is ever any truth in the writing I see online and elsewhere claiming to be in these sorts of relationships. It appears the only ones who do it are professionals. Surely there must be some real ones! I have looked at some BDSM 'dating' sites but find myself naturally suspicious especially when ads are coupled with the type of tarty photos one used to see in contact magazines.

Thank heavens these matters are a little more out in the open now, but I would love to try to sensibly find someone before it really is too late for me. I would sincerely appreciate any help. I am in the UK by the way. Many thanks. Paul

 
At January 04, 2015 6:26 PM, Blogger Will said...

Dear Paul, apologies for the slow response. There are indeed women who enjoy dominating or topping their male partners during sex, and there are some who enjoy doing so in the rest of the romance as well. Sadly, there seem to be many more men with masochistic interests than women with sadistic inclinations. That's why most of the dommes you come across are professionals profiting from the unmet demand. Some of those pros are very good by the way, although many won't help you "finish" as within many jurisdictions that crosses into the realm of prostitution. However, if you could imagine returning the favor, women who switch, or alternate between roles, are more common than female tops.

Many women find men your age more appealing than younger guys; after all men tend to achieve emotional maturity later. It does help to be trim and fit; fortunately there are many ways to attain that besides jogging for miles. Fetlife might be a good place to find kinky friends and possible partners near you; it's pretty popular in the UK.

 
At January 05, 2015 12:22 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am very grateful to have found this post. What I am currently struggling with is that, after a life of kinky submissive fantasies (which began in pre-adolescence) and trying to incorporate kink into vanilla relationships, I recently (six months ago) began dating a man who, it turned out, was lifelong into the lifestyle, though he was on a break from it. He was also poly. I am monogamous, so when we started dating, he agreed to be monogamous. Despite his hiatus, a D/s relationship formed at the beginning. We played frequently at the beginning, usually not super-intensely, but often, and then that, along with any kind of sex, ceased after a few months. He has many reasons that he has explained to me for wanting this, but he has decided he does not want to be involved in BDSM in any capacity. Part, but not by any means all, of this is that, for him, BDSM does not exist outside of being poly, and therefore cannot be a part of our monogamous relationship. According to him, my fixation on BDSM is misguided, and I shouldn't regard myself as missing out on anything by not having it as a part of our relationship, and am an idiot if I sacrifice our relationship in pursuit of a kinky partner who may never come along - and believe me, in my geographical area, finding ANY single man is almost impossible, let alone a kinky one. So, long story short, I am in the position of asking myself, do I sacrifice a relationship that is not sexually fulfilling, but completely wonderful in every other way, for something else that I might never find? Am I placing too much importance on sex? (My attraction to BDSM, however, is deeper than sex per se). Is it true that monogamous BDSM lifestyle relationships are not possible? From the research I have done, this does not seem to be so. I feel so at a loss, and somewhat betrayed at what I feel is a bait-and-switch, though as I said, he does have a set of very clear and very valid reasons for wanting to leave BDSM behind. Therefore, I am in the position of deciding whether to stay or to go, neither of which options gives me any joy. Anyway, thank you for writing this post and thank you to all who have replied; it certainly helps to know I am not alone and to read the wisdom offered by others in my position.

 
At January 07, 2015 1:14 PM, Blogger Will said...

Monogamous kinky relationships are almost certainly the norm. The BDSM "scene" indulges in exhibition and polyamory, but it's not a representative sampling of kinksters. (See The BDSM Scene Is Not Everyone's Kink.) Your guy could be conflicted about his desires and/or history; it might help to get him to share more about them. I'm always fascinated by the life story of anyone I start seeing. Maybe his stated reasons to eschew BDSM aren't the whole story. Failing that approach, what about seeking a play partner for yourself? And finally, could you consider moving to a more densely populated place? :-)

 
At January 08, 2015 11:26 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Will I'm a found female with a 'dominant' personality. My lover takes that for me to be his Dom. I'm stuck between a sub's wants and desires and a doms. I have the wants of both but no one to console me.

 
At January 10, 2015 3:10 PM, Blogger Fiftiesdoll6 said...

Having just come out of a 6 mth d/s relationship i find myself stuck in that .... Grey area.... Do I date a vanilla guy . It's hard . Reading this made me smile and not feel so alone so thank you . It is indeed hard to find some one who ticks all my boxes or most of them! To think I was born a sub is an idea I've never considered before and it made me feel happy . You can't help who you are . Thank you I hope to be able to follow you and read more of your stuff xx

 
At January 17, 2015 8:27 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a sub in a vanilla marriage. Feeling torn between love and sexual desires. This is depressing beyond comprehension. Because of my high profile (well-known) music career, I am completely alone, and must hide this side of me. It's actually getting to the point where I'm considering suicide.

 
At January 17, 2015 2:57 PM, Blogger Will said...

I strongly encourage you to seek a kink-aware therapist. (There is a list online of "Kink-Aware Professionals".) Your situation is not unusual—this article is by far the most-read on my blog—but lack of kink alone rarely causes crushing depression. Note that it can take a few tries to find a counselor who's a good fit. Seeing a professional top is also something to consider; many have high-profile clients. Finally, I'd suggest making friends online with other kinky folks; platonic confidants are a great source of support. Fetlife can be a good way to identify and correspond with fellow kinksters.

 
At January 19, 2015 10:51 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a submissive. I've always known I was the least dominant in relationships, but for many of my past relationships I found myself stuck to vanilla men. I hadn't unlocked my potential and merely sank into an emotional ditch where I ended up pushing all of my fantasies. The worst of these experiences was an 18 month relationship that I had no way to claw out. Last fall I finally met my partner after a bit too much of cat and mouse. I'm more happy than I've ever been with my Dom and absolutely wouldn't have it any other way. No more Vanillas.

 
At January 27, 2015 10:34 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

thanks for this... it's so true. i am a very nice slave but i really treated my vanilla fiance horribly bc he didnt dominate me and i hated him for it.

 
At February 06, 2015 5:25 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This article is... disheartening, but is very good advice. I am what the majority of you refer to as 'vanilla' but relatively sexually adventurous. I have been married to, and completely in love with, my husband for nearly ten years. Just recently, he has begun to express his interest in true dominant behavior. I am not a prude, but I am also not interested, AT ALL, in being humiliated or dominated in any fashion beyond a little light bondage or open handed spanking. Actually, I'm having a hard time not being offended and hurt that this man, who claims to love and understand me, who I have both relied on and supported, and who has claimed on numerous occasions to admire and respect my independence, strength, and dedication to gender equality could desire to see me in such a position. Intellectually, I understand that a S/D relationship can be healthy and consenting, but I am finding that now that I am confronted with the possibility of such a relationship in my own life, I am more than simply uncomfortable, I am actively repulsed. Furthermore, I am angry. I have been honest and open with husband from the very beginning of our relationship, and I am downright pissed off that he has waited more than ten years to "come out" to me. We have a child together, a mortgage, friends, a life- all the things that two people can build in a relationship that has lasted for over a decade. Ending things at this point would be painful for so many more reasons than just the heartbreak that comes with ending a marriage, but am I supposed to do? I love this man and I don't want him to live an unfulfilled life, but I am not willing to participate in sham of a marriage where he finds sexual fulfillment in the arms of someone else, while using me to fulfill all of his other needs. It may sound selfish, but I am not willing to share- I believe I am worthy of devotion and the same fidelity and trust from my spouse that I offer to him. Neither am I willing to be humiliated, debased, or harmed by partner- In the same way that so many other commenters have said that the unwillingness of their partners to dominate or submit to them is painful, frustrating, and confusing, I find it horrible to contemplate a sexual life in which my partner needs me to do something which feels uncomfortable and wrong for me.

Whew- well that was more of a rant than I intended, but basically I am saying this: the author of this blog is right. A vanilla/ BDSM relationship likely won't work, at least not for both parties, and it is so very much less painful to end it before you have begun to build a life with your significant other; before you feel trapped, or cause your partner to feel trapped, in an unsatisfying relationship. For pity's sake though, and for the sake of your partner and any potential future family- be honest about your needs and lifestyle from the beginning, trust me when I say that the pain and uncertainty you may feel at this prospect at the beginning of your relationship will be nothing compared to the misery that will come if you try to deny your needs in order to hold on to someone you love .

 
At February 08, 2015 3:28 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was married to my husband for nearly 28 years and since the beginning of our marriage, even though I never tried with anyone, I confessed to him my interest in been dominated and also to "suffer" in a sexual way. He didn't believe me and told me that it could not possibly be true because I was (and still am) a very independent and opinionated woman and I didn't fit the "profile" (whatever that is) of a submissive, he also told me that I was confused and mine was just a "phase" and it will soon pass. But it didn't.
In the beginning, and for few years after that, he just completely ignore my needs but in the recent years got even worse, he was making fun of anything I was trying to tell him and told me me that something was seriously wrong with me, because by suppressing my need to be submissive and be dominated, I stopped feeling any sexual desire for him in his vanilla sex. Told me many times that I wasn't "normal".
I divorce him three years ago, but he left me with a scar in my soul about trust. I don't know if I will ever be able to trust someone to lead me where I always wanted to go and never reach it and not be afraid to be laughed at or worse, ignored.
I am in my fifties now and I doubt it that I will ever experience and fulfill this side of me, also because I seriously doubt that some Dominant Alpha Male out there will be remotely interested in a middle age woman as his submissive. But its OK, I'm happy with myself now and I have accept it.
I only wrote this to warn any younger woman out there in my similar situation.
Do not waste your time and years with someone that is not, and could not, be part of what you really are, just because "you love him". Believe me, sooner or later your relationship is doomed to fail and you really need that this will happen sooner....... than later.

 
At February 17, 2015 10:04 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I feel frustrated. I was married for 20 yeArs to a man who was very submissive in nature and closed off sexually with me. Mr Boring and later I learned attracted to the opposite sex.

I went online to a BDSM site after 12 yeArs of marriage desperately crAving bondage and sexual attention. Well I met him and not only that I later married him.

I told my Master back then I do any thing for him

Fast forward when we got married my "anything" I promised was real to him by 100 per cent. He wanted to have a thresome and I could not. He gave in and accepted that from me but then came play sessions. My beatings felt like abuse and the way he talk to me I felt unloved. I was crying all the time. Everything went south when we try over and over to be a real Master and slave.

Then one day we gave it up. I know my husband was frustrated because I didn't give him all that he really expected from me or could do. I felt sad because my idea of our future was nothing like I had invision. I had my own ideas but slaves can't create them if your Masters ideas are very different. Play became less and everything went down hill. Our passion for kink became our enemy. We fought, struggled and gave up because of my limitations and his desires.

Then we switched. Being a Mistress felt great because I had control. My husband as a slave was shocking very obedient and more. But...there's still problems. When we disagree on vanilla matters my husband becomes all Dom again. Insisting I'm wrong without thinking or behaving close to what a slave is suppose to be if we are really 24/7. I then find it difficult to own the idea that we are a 24/7 anything ad a Mistress.

We are both stubborn and I feel frustrated if we'll ever get this figured out. Once he said if he knew I really couldn't give him everything that he would of not followed through with our relationship. That was just after we got married. Yep that hurt but he was being honest. He is a great person so don't get me wrong. He is gentle and caring too. He cares about me and my family. We love each other very much but we can't seem to work out our differences easily or find the right kink anymore.



I find myself twinge when I think of bondage or my husband's old force on me. But then I desire control too. My husband desires are other things too but we've been in conflict over all of this. It's gone sideways.



He says he won't leave me ever but at times we are in such an uproar it takes so much away for both of us. I don't know how to fix this. My husband is black or white. Remember the extremist who is now frustratingly working with me. He wants something bdsm and so do I.

It's just emotionally painful to dance around each other when we can't even get our kink..right. I'll never be the mind of slave he dreamed of or strong enough to be a Domme in his eyes when his angry.

Your article struck a deep core tonight because we are at conflict on vanilla matters after the most amazing bdsm session just 6 hours ago. He is not acting like a slave to put it bluntly and says I'm not a Domme. Great ! So much for control and power.

I want to make this work out but we can't the way either of us want. :(

 
At February 19, 2015 1:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A wonderful blog and I really enjoyed comments. I've spent 28 years of marriage wanting something that my husband couldn't give me. It's never too late to join the lifestyle. I've found a wonderful dom who is very patient with me. I've spent all these years trying to
stifle. my desire to be submissive and now I'm having to learn to release it and allow myself to be guided and controlled by him. When I do, it is like I've been set free after all these years.

 
At February 19, 2015 4:57 PM, Blogger Will said...

Dear frustrated, it sounds like you and your husband could benefit from the support of a kink-aware (or very open minded:-) counselor. There's probably a handful of new relating patterns you could add to your marriage to make the hitches you encounter less jarring and/or frequent. See also Emotional Issues in Dom/Sub Relationships.

 
At March 02, 2015 11:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi :) I was in your exact situation, married for seven years and I've lived with knowing I was into kinky ways and things I only recently started opening up about. I didn't have a happy ending once I tried to get my ex to try and fulfill my needs and desires, he did try but just couldn't do it. I'm lucky we are still able to be close I just know my desires were something he couldn't grasp no matter how much love was there. My last partner however took my desire to be punished and spanked to a level that he broke bones and was beyond brutal. That of course ended too. I just know the conflict you were feeling when you wrote this. I hope you got your happy ending.

 
At March 03, 2015 12:05 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I said how I've always knew I had kinky desires for as long as I can remember. I read someone said they think you're born this way. Maybe that's the truth. I just hope that I can meet and find the right Dom/Sir/Master. And I hope your time since you wrote this has been filled with much joy and smiles.

 
At March 06, 2015 1:10 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I relate to what you've said and are going through so much.
Wishing you very well.

 
At March 13, 2015 6:41 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This post is heart-breakingly familiar to me. I've been married for over a decade and have finally felt comfortable with my wants, needs and desires. I just don't know how to express it to my husband. Even if I did, my husband is very...unsure. I'm afraid, like you said, he would feel awkward in a role playing situation and then I would just feel silly in the moment rather than fulfilled. I often find myself topping from the bottom to fulfill what I desire, and it isn't comfortable for me. It's just not an ideal situation. I have to find the courage to truly relay my needs to my husband and hope he can be what I need.
Thank you for this post. It's good to know at least that I'm not alone.

 
At March 22, 2015 8:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My story ends on a happy note but it hasn't always been that way. I've been a submissive before BDSM was even the acronym used. I'd always felt wrong about feeling that way but opened up to my husband about it. We've been together for 12 years and about 8 years ago I first opened up and told him about my desires. He said no.
We have if a wonderful relationship and over its course he has had encounters where he's been pretty dominant but it was always a one and done sexual encounter. That was why I initially asked him to become my Dom, he had shown he could be. But it was always awkward conversation. He wasn't comfortable hurting me, he'd never want to cross the line and ruin us.
We have had ups and downs in our relationship like every couple out there and for the last eight years I've never hidden my desires from him or myself but I've never really gotten what I needed. So a while back we were in a down, and I'm not sure if we would have eventually worked it out and continued as we always have, but something changed. After a fight and a very long conversation he finally gave me the yes I've dreamt of for so many years.
He has not only become everything I've hoped for, he has become his own Dominant, he doesn't do things just because it's what I would like, but it's what He wants.
When he gave me a yes we spent two weeks putting together a Formal Acceptance to clearly outline what we each thought we wanted/expected out of our new dynamic. This is a living document so it does change but it clearly outlined our individual interests, soft limits, hard limits and behaviors expected. It was emailed to each other to serve as a reminded and even as a foundation for punishment when needed. Through everything we have certainly experienced our fair share of awkward but we have never been more open and honest or communicated as well as we have recently. Not to mention an amazing sex life.
So I absolutely agree with the author of this article, it will never work between kink/vanilla relationships, you will always be denying a part of who you are and will always long for it. However that doesn't mean you should give up and quit. Always be honest to yourself and your partner. You may be told no and it hurts, a lot, but continue to grow together. You may not get what you need at first but don't hide that part of yourself, eventually the awkward conversation topic may turn into a "well let's try it I guess".
Good luck to everyone!

 
At April 03, 2015 12:12 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

yes! from early childhood, i thought i was sick in the head. I felt like some kind of unwilling sexual deviant. recently i've been in contact with a bona fide Dom and i think I've finally found my outlet after so many years of guilt and confusion.

what drew me to your article is that both I, and Dom, and in committed vanilla relationships .. for this reason I have kept the relationship non-physical, though I know I am emotionally cheating.

I worry more about him, and his vanilla relationship he does not want to jeopardise. to my understanding, he has cheated many times to satisfy his strong urge to be a dom.

thankyou for this information, i feel it has validated me, particularly your comments around the 'feelings' present from childhood...

 
At April 03, 2015 1:04 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Two years later....how did everything turn out? I am going thru this now ;(

 
At April 09, 2015 11:22 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a victim of rape and multiple other types of abuse and I have been since I was a small child. The man I love actively participated in BDSM and he was once a victim. I was terrified of even trying it. But I have a deep trusting relationship with him, so I know he won't hurt me should I choose to stop mid-act. I do however worry that my past and my fear will prevent me from enjoying it as much as he would like. But thank you for your insight. It's going to help us. :)

 
At April 27, 2015 1:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a sub whose been in a vanilla relationship for seven years. Its heartbreaking but I have never felt so frustrated. Have any subs actually learnt to live vanilla and been truly happy?

 
At April 27, 2015 2:39 PM, Blogger Will said...

If by "truly happy" you mean sexually fulfilled, probably not. But if you mean happy with all other aspects of life (work, family, community) then probably so. Only you can know what fulfillment in life means to you.

 
At May 07, 2015 10:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Will

Thanks so much for this article. I actually read it last year while in a long term relationship with a vanilla girl, and after reading it several times, getting therapy together etc, I finally brought myself around to realizing that I need a truly kinky partner in my life. So we broke up about four month ago. While it was quite sad and difficult breaking up, I don't regret it at all. I've been exploring the local fetish community been to lots of classes, munches and play parties and made a lot of kinky friends. It is difficult to express the feeling of liberation and exhilaration when I finally felt like I was speaking the same language as people who "get" me. And of course there has been some super hot play as well.

Anyone kinky out there reading this article, and in a vanilla relationship, I would say... you will never by truly fulfilled if you don't get out there and explore that side of yourself. Do it!

 
At May 10, 2015 9:26 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a married woman in a relationship with a married Dom. We met 2 years ago. I am a very submissive person and he saw that right away. I have always been a vanilla person until I met him. We have a great relationship until this past week. He tells me I am his number one, but went to someone else. I don't know how to handle it. I love him and he loves me, but I feel hurt, betrayed and not sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated

 
At May 13, 2015 5:20 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am married to a vanilla guy who is sweet and supportive of my need to be Dominated, so I have my husband and family life at home, and my Dom, who is also married, to a woman was less than honest about what she was in into, and he's not really attracted to her anymore, but is still supporting her. My Dom treats me as his prized treasure, and I know that he loves me most and I could never trust him with my submission if he didn't have the self control to take our relationship as Dom and sub seriously. I feel very lucky to have two men who make me feel so loved and special, in very different ways, but to have this it takes being on the same page and only settling for a second relationship if it truly makes you much happier and complete. If there is dishonesty in a BDSM relationship it's not going to be getting what you need, or giving the other party what they really need, and that is the whole point of having a paartner outside the marriage for this kind of thing. There has to be trust and passion like you can't get anywhere else, and I feel so lucky to have it. Good luck guys.

 
At May 16, 2015 12:39 PM, Blogger Will said...

To the reader feeling betrayed by her dom, I assume you and he are not married to each other. As your dom already has a wife and a sub, it's not so surprising that he felt free to engage with someone else without first asking you. As to why he felt compelled by a third person, perhaps he's simply not monogamous, or feels limits on your capacity or availability to him due to your own marriage. To know for sure, you need to set aside your feeling of betrayal and have some frank conversations with him. For some pointers on that subject, see On Communication Within a Dom/Sub Partnership.

 
At May 18, 2015 7:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have read some of the comments and concerns here... Given I am not truly in this lifestyle YET but if this lifestyle is something both parties need and want as well as having the added bonus of getting to know each other and possibly getting a relationship to satisfy the "vanilla" side and dom/sub side then at least try... I would love a "normal" relationship that satisfied me in all ways but for me it doesn't work like that...never has! We are who we are and if we truly care about someone we will accept it or leave it. Once you know this lifestyle is necessary you will know if it can work. Be true to yourself and be honest to your partner. I'm not saying it will work but at least try your best... We all need something... We just need to decide what's important to us. I have recently come to an understanding of myself that almost no one could understand... In fact no one does. I NEED to make my man happy! If I don't than I feel guilty and it's not just his pleasure. It's mine... Not necessarily for pain but because he obviously loves what's going on! That makes me happy;-). Be true to yourself and your partner... I would think honesty from the start would be necessary!

 
At June 20, 2015 5:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This really hit home with me, which is also unfortunate because I wish I would've realized what I needed before I got married to a vanilla. He has no authority in our relationship what-so-ever and has therefore left it to me to take the lead in the relationship.. So since I have to take control in regards to normal everyday matters, I can't picture him being dominant at all in the bedroom so therefore things are awkward and we don't have sex often.. I just don't know what to do because I do care about him, he's my husband and best friend and he's so good with my daughter.. But I find our relationship lacking and don't feel it's fair to him, and know that he wouldn't accept me having a dom on the side to take care of my needs.. I don't want to divorce him, but I'm at a loss for how to remedy our situation.

 
At June 27, 2015 8:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is my first ever daddy dom. I'm so lost. I have only had doms that are just about sex but this one is a daddy dom and he wants me to be his baby girl. No age play. I feel like I'm dating. Is that what a daddy dom and baby girl are is a bf gf but ds? Please help me I don't dare to ask him. Mostly because this is so new to me and my feelings for my daddy is so much more than any dom I've had and to be honest I'm so happy to have found this. I couldn't be happier to be a baby girl. It's the most amazing thing in the world and I've been missing out. I'm scared that I'm gonna fall for my daddy dom and that he won't feel the same. I mean he loves his baby girl but I'm talking in a vanilla way
Help!
Lost baby girl,

 
At June 27, 2015 8:12 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Btw I've only dated vanilla ruf sex guys. I've always wanted to date a dom but it's never came my way

 
At June 27, 2015 8:17 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 
At July 04, 2015 10:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This article is generally true but has some important point that I don't agree with.

You say that you can't teach a vanilla to be a sub or a dom and can't expect them to love it, it is correct, assuming they are vanilla. You thought that they are vanilla and they thought so too, until they discovered d/s.
Some people are vanilla because it's just what they know, until you discover them the bdsm world. And when you discover them this world and they try it once, they may like it. You can't like something that you didn't know it existed, right?

So, there are many "vanillas" that have a kinky side in them that was hidden and they did not know about. Once you expose d/s to them they find out something new that they like.

I think another way to find a kinky partner is to look for them in the "vanila" world, tell them about it and ask them to try it once, hopefully they are a case of an hidden kinky person in a vanilla. It may not be enough to just tell them about it, it may require them to also try it once.

I think it is best to look for a kinky partner in both the bdsm and vanilla world, it increases the chances to find that someone.

 
At July 17, 2015 5:30 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is it possible for a wife to be a wife to one man and a submissive to another. And not have the two collide? My wife has stated that she feels I am unable to be a true dominant to her. So she has asked another dominant to train her. I have agreed and allowed this. Although I see her being submissive towards me and she doesn't even realize it and when she does notice it she gets mad with herself. Is this going to be a problem going forward?

 
At August 02, 2015 4:46 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is an interesting article. My predicament is similar, but at the same time, completely different. My bf is a trans guy. We haven't been dating for that long and we both want to wait to do anything since we're quite young. I've already known I am a sub for a while now, I haven't told him but I've tried to hint it. I am a cisgender female by the way. But he keeps talking about guys fucking him and having sex with men... With what he's been saying, I can't tell if he wants to be a sub, or just fantasises about being fucked by a guy??? I honestly don't know. He's my first partner who I've ever really felt any romantic connection to. To tell the truth, I'm head over heels for him- He's my best friend and he is an amazing bf. I want to be dominated in the bedroom, but he seems to want to have sex with men... I am so confused. If it meant I could continue to date him, I could manage to keep everything vanilla; I've had depression for 4 years, I know how to live while feeling sad. But if he wants me to take a dominant role in the bedroom, I'm not sure I could even bring myself to do that. It feels so horribly wrong. I already feel inadequate as I don't have a dick. I don't know what to do.

 
At August 09, 2015 6:41 PM, Anonymous Maggie said...

I met Sir online 8 years ago when I was just newly divorced. He was upfront that he was married but he wanted someone safe to play with so I agreed to enter a parttime BDSM relationship.....we did mostly bondage, lots of discipline and training, anal sex, etc - we always practiced safe sex. I met someone else and entered a vanilla relationship after 4 years and stopped seeing Sir. Last year after not seeing Sir for 3 years, I contacted him and we started to play again. About us, neither of us has children, we are in our mid-40s and are both very successful and highly respected in our fields. I am an Alpha Female by day and in my vanilla relationship. I am very happy in my vanilla relationship, he is kind, loving, we have so much in common and I love him with all my heart. He's just not very sexual where I have a strong sex drive and he is submissive himself. I am submissive with Sir. I am now engaged and can't wait to marry my Mr Vanilla....but, I don't think I can give Sir up again. The dreams and the fantasies about playing with Sir just kept getting stronger those years we didn't play, so much that I would crave playing with him. With Sir It's not about love but about giving up control. I want to marry my Mr Vanilla but keep playing with Sir - who I only see about every 3 months and never at either of our homes. Is it possible to have a happy Vanilla/BDSM life with two men, one not knowing? Mr Vanilla would never give permission. I'm so torn but life is so short not to be true to myself, isn't it?

 
At August 11, 2015 1:57 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I tried for 7 years with my husband... I am very kinky and willing to try most things, and unfortunately my husband who enjoyed a kinky bedroom session once in a while just could not satisfy my needs. He just wasn't a dominant, he tried so hard but it led to him becoming frustrated that "I was never satisfied" angry that i needed more and eventually it turned into abuse. We separated over 2 years ago now. So I'm sorry but I couldn't make it work, I don't know if you can?
But should you? Do you really want to live your life never being able to truly express yourself? Never being able to be free to be who you are inside?
It's exhausting, and has led to my suffering anxiety. I'm not saying this happens to all subs living a sharade in a vanilla relationship but it profoundly affects me.

 
At August 22, 2015 6:11 PM, Anonymous Firefly said...

hi.. i am a sub married to a vanilla husband who is my best friend (of 15 years) and husband (of 7 years).

4-5 years ago i began understanding the need for submission..i did the online stint with a few Masters.. then got tempted to do the real time and then got caught cheating. :(

i betrayed my husband's love and trust. He forgave me but now i have an unhappy marriage that i fear getting out of because i truly love him. and no Master and a growing void.

i am planning on talking to a counselor but the hub refuses to join me. He is hurt, i hurt him, but really is there no way to find middle ground. He suggests i just suppress how i feel and just learn to live with it.

We are at a crossroads and i refuse to give up on him.. but whats next for us? its so sad and exhausting to keep lying to myself. :(

I plan on "showing" him what i need.. ownership, sadism and dominance. Any suggestions as to how i can go about this difficult path??

Thank you all in advance.

 
At September 06, 2015 4:40 AM, Anonymous heli said...

hi will,
its a good blog.
I am new to all these BDSM but I read and search a lot.
I find my partner somehow into some sex online community, my firs sense of course was infidelity, now i am recovering,
but then I find him into submissive, you know... its not very clear for me, but with all my fantasies and tests and...I consider myself a dominatrix, I am even somehow happy to know him and his desires, because in all these years I always thought that he is doing just for me ans sometimes i felt guilty.
but now he still avoids me, and not talk much, we are new in this, I didn't know nothing about BDSM until one week ago, but it fascinates me. I just need to learn more. in my situation- living in a middle Asian religious country- this is really hard. I visit fetlife or even your blog with trouble, because my network is filtered and restricted. it would be perfect if I could mail you in yahoo or sth like that .
how i could know him, help him to be a good sub, and learn to be a good dominatrix?
thank you
i left you a msg in fetlife too.

 
At September 14, 2015 7:36 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a dominant man, and have been in an out of bed for very long time. I have been involved in a two year relationship. She is beautiful inside and out, and a natural sub, in so many ways. She just came out of 18 year relationship, that was very vanilla, no kink. She had the intense side of kink before she was married, was very extensive, even more then mine, much more. I myself have came out of a very vanilla long term relationship, and had many vanilla relationships. Never truly satisfied, almost never, for the most part. We are in love, and with it comes many complications, for I do have a vanilla side to me, let me explain. I have 4 times the normal testosterone levels then a normal man, naturally born like that. That's at 50, she is quite younger then me. That makes me natural dominant, and aggressive, but controlled to the extreme. I knew who she was from the very first kiss. We can tell, easily, very easily, I can smell it, with out even looking. Both of us came out of an adulterous relationship, both faithful to our x's, the other way not so much. We both have discipline, and are committed to each other. For me it comes easy, she is wonderful. She always knew what she was, for me it a bit different. I have always suppressed it, and I tailored myself always to the women I was with. Always holding back, never letting go, until I met her. Perfection in some many ways!

Here is my problem, I love her so much, and find myself in deep regret at times in my kink, towards her. I am what you would call a repressed Dom, in the bed, and a sympathetic lover in and out of the bed. I have been programed by society to Respect women, to protect hold and cherish women, and to love. Yes I am a romantic, with a beast inside, that has been controlled by me. She is a self repressed
sub and slave, that has avoided kink for many decades. For me being a Dom, is very natural, and we are both the happiest we have every been. Read on

We progressed slowly together into our kink, with her more or less free flowing into it almost with easy. For me it is much harder, for our love developed first, even thou I knew all along she was kinky. For me I really didn't know what was the word Kink, per say meant in the world's terms. My kink, was my whole sale aggression in bed, with almost a controlled rage of testosterone, and the deep desirer to please, that's the vanilla in me, with love. So in essences I am vanilla with Heart and soul of a Dom. Only now realized within our relationship to the fullest of its extent. Sounds Great Right.
I have deep regret, when I get on my wild side with her, especially with the humiliation aspect now. In the beginning it was on the physical side of kink too. I find myself in tears, in regret for what I have done to my love. She would come out of the physical side with a deep euphoria, subspace, and smiling with love and respect for me. In the beginning on the physical side of kink I would be remorseful, and sadden in my heart. 50 shades of grey is tame, for me. Time went on, and I have come to accept it, as part of being in love with my Kinky lady. I do respect her, that the vanilla side of me. Here is our problem, I know I need to brake her in order to be her true Dom. The Humiliation side of things is much more troubling for me, and her. How do we get passed that, or is it, even necessary. For with Love, there is weakness, and being a Dom there is little weakness. For I love her so, She is my true and only Sub, I every had or want. I don't want to loose her, I want to love her take care of her forever. I find myself in dilemma or dilemma. She has spent a eternity without kink in her life, and I know she needs it, she wants it. How does a Dom that truly loves his sub, slave overcome the guilt? Maybe it is because I am not her Dom, yet? I would bring the world to her feet, as she does for me, every day. Any helpful advise, would be appreciated by all


 
At September 29, 2015 10:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have always enjoyed the idea of being a Dom since I was teen or pre-teen. Had a few experiences, that is the life I dreamed of, but I also dreamed of having a wife and a family, I met my wife years ago, and she was the type of woman who cooked and cleaned and went along with what I wanted while we were dating, but not truly submissive. We married years ago, and the submissiveness went out right away and so did the sex, I thought it was because of some health problems she was having back then, but since she said it wasnt, anyway, I'll get down to the point, she now has designed the house as she likes, and only does the occasional chore, cleaning a little bit here or there, washing dishes once every couple of weeks, cooking once every couple of weeks, I do everything else, including cleanup at the end of every night. I have been losing myself for years now. Finally this year I told her, what I want and enjoy is to be a Dom, which I had hinted at and mentioned for the entire marriage before this but never came out and said it. She seemed angry, then calmed down, and said she really thought I was joking and didn't really seem to understand real Dom and sub, she said she would try to look into it, but nothing has changed in the months since. I have had a cyber outlet to keep me sane, but now I want a family and feel like I'm too old to start over again to have kids (38), I dont want to be in my 70s going to graduation. I thought she would be a 50s housewife, and that part of it she acted like appealed to her when I mentioned it, but truly she is too much of a control freak for that.

Thanks for listening, I needed to vent.
LOTH

 
At October 24, 2015 2:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Interesting. I am submissive and married to a vanilla man. He knows about my need to be dominated and pays lip service to it, but has no sadistic/dominant tendencies. He claims to be, but is not, which makes it even more frustrating. So, we just don't.

 
At October 31, 2015 7:45 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am engaged to a vanilla man. I do not look for sex/love in a BDSM relationship. I am happy with both my Vanilla Fiance and my submissive girl. My submissive girl also does not look to bdsm for sexual relationships. She serves me willingly. My fiance is fine and well with all of this. We three get along very well. There is no frustration or animosity. I believe it depends upon the relationship or style in which you seek.

 
At November 10, 2015 2:54 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh my God. Per the initial post, I am an innate, recently awoken. What a powerful message. Ty.

 
At November 16, 2015 4:27 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My current boyfriend and I have a d/s relationship, which at the beginning we were not. He was vanilla as vanilla could be, and I was kinky, he said when he first started dating that he had no plan of being submissive, and would expect me not to be dominant. I of course agreed, I understood that there will be times in my life where there will be no kinky people. But I digress, he approached me a month later saying he would like to try some BDSM related things, and we spent a couple of nights talking over hard and soft limits. Now, as time has gone on, he realized that he is a sub, without me even pushing him into to it. It was surprising but made me very happy./=

 
At November 18, 2015 11:11 PM, Blogger ABOUT TO GO NUTS! said...

What is a straight woman to do with a husband of 12 years that has recently confessed to being a submissive but only to men both online and in meeting people from the online rooms. I am going nuts!

 
At January 10, 2016 7:12 PM, Blogger Kitana R. said...

If possible I would like to maybe email you and discuss Everything I just typed, but disappeared because I pushed preview instead of publish...If that's not okay with you I will willingly lay bare my thoughts and concerns and comment (if you could've called it that) again. Anything if it means understanding things better than I think I do. My boyfriend and I trying to bring a D/s relationship into our already pleasant relationship. I typed you everything so perfectly I would be lying if I didn't say I'm not upset that it all just vanished...

I'm sure you're a very very busy man, so please feel free to take your time responding, I will be patiently waiting.

Thank you for your time sir.

 
At January 25, 2016 4:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just want to say thank you for posting this. Your words are seamlessly beautiful and honest. As you were going through the motions of explaining your attempt to date a vanilla woman it reminded me of my own current relationship. And it is hard. I have dated this man for two years and hid away my kink, thinking I could ease him into it. And he has tried certain things, yet he is unwilling to learn what being a true dominant is about (I am a switch and have a bit more of experience than my current partner, and friends who have much more experience than myself. I personally and have fully embraced this lifestyle since my late teen years. But it was something I have felt since I was younger) It has become almost a bad pain for me to know that he doesn't have motivation to totally and fully dominate me. And I do not think that it would be best to break it off. But I trust him, and it is a struggle I suppose. I do hope I am not a weak woman for not being able to do so thus far. So my question is; how did you get up the strength to break it off?

 
At February 13, 2016 6:18 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm submissive, and when a 'vanilla' partner demands that I tell them what I want, I curl into myself. An aggressive/selfish nature is not enough to fulfill. I want an understanding dominant to show me what I want..and expose me to the beauty of his plan. Not sure if that makes sense?

 
At March 02, 2016 8:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading this it helped me understand more of why i feel the way i do. I love my husband of 11 yrs with all my heart, but when he ask me how do u want it? or what not i just want to scream, i have been wanting a dom for a while now i love the feeling i feel when he does be dominate over me. i feel free and i feel like myself. i just have alot of this inside and i cant get it out because he is vanilla. i just wish i knew what to do.i really dont want to seek a dom outside the marriage but it is becoming harder and harder to hold it back. does anyone know any way i can fix this or help myself?

 
At March 31, 2016 12:40 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for that well-worded piece. My college boyfriend re-entered my life after 17 years apart. We re-introduced friendship and began seeing each other. During one evening he told me that in the time we'd been parted he'd embraced his True Self as a Dom. Having no idea what that meant I listened, learned from him and researched on my own. I am in no way, shape or form submissive and am dominant if I must be. I prefer a partner with whom I feel an equality and literally cannot abide anything else. To make a year long story of hell shorter I wish we'd remained friends and never tried for anything else because now the very thought of him revolts me because of instances like the time I bent over & he pulled my hair - hard. I nearly beat him but stopped myself because we were in the kitchen and I knew things could have gotten dangerous so I used self-restraint. When discussing this later he was confused and replied "What you mean the time I showed my passion for you by pulling your hair?"

"Why does everything involving you showing passion involve hurting ME?" I declared.

That pretty much sums it ALL up. He went on and on about the intimacy of the sub - I told him if it was such a great deal I'd be happy to act as the Dom and he could have the /s. Oddly enough that offer mystified him!

 
At April 18, 2016 1:24 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"She could not embrace, or even comprehend, my need to see her suffer in any sexual situation."

Well when you put it that way, I guess it's not a surprise to hear that you're perpetually single, is it? Saying you want to see someone "suffer", in any context, doesn't sound indicative of a loving and respectful relationship regardless of your intent. It makes you sound like a abusive partner… do consider the language you use the next time you try to convince a woman who doesn't share your kink to be your sub.

 
At May 29, 2016 1:28 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Will, you mentioned 'sensual dom/sub' awhile ago in this thread. Where can I find more information on that?

 
At June 06, 2016 9:04 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am stuck in a vanilla relationship I care for him but I also thought he would fulfill my desire and needs for me to be submissive. He own a kink club and suck and did spank me and tell me how he's going to tie me up YAY! :/ but it is not the case he is not dominate he just talked that way I am far more dominant and he enjoys me taking control of him sexually. It is not who I am as much as I can flip that switch it is not my desire. I am not fulfilled I need a Master and I had one online only and broke it off shortly after finding my Boyfriend. I have many kids from my previous 14 year marriage and finding someone patient enough for them was more important than my need to be a sub. But recently I have connected to my Master again and he wants me to do what he says daily. I have not told my boyfriend about my Master being in my life(online for now) but I crave his rule over me. I am just so afraid I can not give my Master everything he wants from me because I have to keep him secret from my Master. I'm afraid he will not want to be there unless I give him my all and that means to leave my boyfriend. I would live alone but I work in my boyfriends company to provide and I can't survive without that job. My kids have to come first but my soul is in need of my Master and I feel torn/ hurt and depressed constantly. Any advice will help

 
At June 16, 2016 8:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You have no idea how helpful this article has been to me...A guy from my class fell in love with me about a month back. He is hands down the most attractive guy from our batch. And I immediately responded in positive... We spoke extensively and I fell for him...deep...
Until he told me one day that he was into BDSM and that he was a dom and wanted me to be the sub.
I agreed immediately coz that is how much I loved him. Initially for the first 2 weeks he was immensely polite and often expressed sadness over the fact that I was so understanding of him and was willing to sacrifice so much for him. I didn't really fathom what he meant...and then started the tough phase. Our university days ended and we went separate ways for sometime. Long distance is tough in any relationship but in my case it became worse...He started getting moody. Demanded for pictures of me...and I started realising what being a sub truly meant for me. I have no interest in BDSM whatsoever. And to be honest, I'm a very independent minded and freedom loving girl..
To accept that I would be dominated by someone became increasingly difficult for me...especially because my boyfriend who was so polite while we were in university together suddenly started changing as a person. He would rarely say 'i love u' anymore, he barely called or texted. And whenever he did, all he talk about was sex and kink. He promised never to hurt me, but he was hurting me. Not physically, but mentally. I was becoming frustrated...I adored him...I loved the guy I was with in university, but this personality of his was completely alien to me and I didn't know if I could handle it. And I knew I was losing my love...I realised our relationship would never work. And yet I had invested so much emotionally, that it became difficult for me to even imagine the idea of letting him go.
Even to this date, I'm his girlfriend...and I am slowly and steadily preparing myself to let him go. I know I can. Because I am a strong girl. My only regret is that he never really understood my love. I would have tried BDSM for him had he been more understanding of me. But alas...not all love stories have a happy ending. And mine is definitely going downhill. I know it.

 
At June 16, 2016 7:10 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sorry but your first sentence says, A guy from your class fell in love with you. But hunny I believe you have it all wrong I think you actually love him. Or you would not care so much and now that does not mean you should stay. In fact I don't think you guys are right for each other. You have shown great love by trying to be a submissive BUT he as a Dom should know his sub and care for her/him. He should know what you dislike doing he should know you hate his demands and he should know he can't make you a submissive woman in a 24/7 relashionship. You my like the occasional kinky play or being a sub as part of play idk. But it's not who you are and you've said that yourself. I think you'd be happy with compliments and hand holding and sweet love making and hunny that's awesome stuff. More importantly this guy/Dom should know you are not what he wants because it sounds like he wants a complete submissive for kink only. He lacks the love to CARE for a sub. Which makes me question him as a Dom. Because for a 24/7 Dom/sub relationship both are happy doing what they love. Both know each other's limits and both know the other in a way no one else will know. Each Dom/sub relationship is different and unique. Tell him you must leave him because this is not you and you. Then go find the knight in shinning armor you want and deserve. Good luck! Oh and don't forget to take a little time alone it helps make better choices in a partner. Tell potential BFs that you would like to be single for the moment. But don't let it stop you from going out and having a good time however it is you decide.

 
At June 16, 2016 7:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wish I could give you a great answer but I can only try to give you good advice. My advice is let him know your wants and desires. The cons you will most likely have is he gets upset or he try's to give you what you want. Problem he might not have it in him at all and you can not make someone into a Dom/Master. Suggestion would be to ask him if he'd mind you having a online Dom have it be him. Fake name and all have him read up on what it is you would like of him and have him give you orders. I suggest online (yes I know you will know it's him) because it might give him a way to bring out any dominant authority in him. It might get you in the mind set that you want and love your husband at the same time. Have him suggest things like sending him pics of what your wearing, him asking what your doing. Talk about what he is going to do to you when he finally gets to feel/taste and you how your going to submit. Do this for awhile until it gets kinky and dirty dirty(we hope right). Then you start asking him if you can make yourself cum yes ask and hopefully he will be assertive and tell you No! Then maybe it will get so awesomely hot with his demands that he will let you cum but only if you send a pic. Oh My This Made Me Want My Master lol just writing this. Well I really hope this works for you have fun!

 
At June 29, 2016 3:39 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My dom honestly knew that I was a sub the minute he laid eyes on me. I was in a very vanilla relationship and just kept getting more and more frustrated because I couldn't get what I needed. My dom noticed it while we were working so he came over to my house to talk about it. Next day we had a play session. I think that most good doms will notice that you are a sub. Just keep your chin up and keep looking.

 
At July 29, 2016 10:13 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I met a Dom online. I've been wanting to get more into the BDSM life and although I am more likely a switch am ok with the idea of being his sub. The thing is we live in different states so have never met, but have so much in common we've fallen in love. The twist? He now tells me he has to satisfy his Dom urges and until we meet and form an actual relationship, he wants to sleep with other people. But for me, saying he loves me and me reciprocating is already a commitment.

 
At August 04, 2016 1:56 AM, Blogger Anonymous2 said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At September 06, 2016 5:58 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I totally agree and feel your pain sadly, all too well. I am a sub and have also taken the lead role because he wouldn't and because of that lost all respect for him/them as men. I'll be 29 in a couple weeks and am wondering if I'll be the crazy cat lady. Sigh* this was a great read, thank you for your opinions and input.
Stacy

 
At September 22, 2016 4:28 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

You know it's kind of sad how being a "Vanilla" I guess, sounds like a bad thing from some of you. My husband of 25 years, is and has been exploring his Dom/sub interests for about 7 years now. He has tried to get me to change and "be more interesting" in his eyes, and explore with him. So I have. A lot! But it's not for me, at all. I submit or do to him what he wants, as much as I can, but do not enjoy it. I don't share either, I know, bummer huh? However, I have tried, enthusiastically at first, pretty much everything he wanted, so can't say I didn't at least do that. He is not happy with light spankings, he needs to recieve or give, (likes receiving more) heavy punishments for being bad. I hate it. He likes bondage, but I'm not dominating enough. I have tried and tried but am now giving up as I can't give what he wants. Yet he says we should stay together. He likes spanking sites, daily, wants to punish me when I've been bad, no way, and wearing woman's underwear now. Things can't be more different after 25 years! We used to have playful, fun sex 2-3 times a day as often as we could, now.....? He says he was never spanked as a child, but maybe he's tiring to make up for feeling like he should have been? I don't know if any of you know why it interests you, but if anyone can clue me in id appreciate it. I do love my husband very much, just will not and cannot change to his new interests. I'm sure they may not be new but they have now become a big red sore ass sticking out!

 
At September 27, 2016 11:15 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

I haven't yet done any BDSM but I am well aware that I am an S and an M and have wanted such a relationship for a long time. Like sexuality you can know what you want before you've had it. However if I am quirky and trans and kinky how will I ever find a relationship?

 
At December 12, 2016 7:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a vanilla whose husband of 10 years just told me that he is a dom and recently started to talk to subs online. My husband said he does not want to explore me being a sub because I am not submissive and he does not want to be a dom with me because he loves me and does not want to do those things to me. I said I was okay with him exploring this with another person, but I am having second thoughts. Am I nuts to let him do this? Has anyone else explored this with their vanilla partners and if so how did it go? Any advice would also be appreciated. Thank you.

 
At December 21, 2016 1:32 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for this explanation. I am sexually submissive, yet have never had the opportunity to explore completely submitting 24/7 to a Dominant. I met a Dom 2 months ago and my soul was filled with joy that he wished to explore a relationship more than just sexual. The first couple of weeks were unlike anything I had ever experienced within any other relationship. Then, he didnt have time to see me, but still expected submission in every way, which in the beginning of no contact with him was working. Then he became incredibly critical of any questions I asked, of research I did, and of fantasies he requested of me and began taking things from my sexual past and using them against me stating it was my discipline for not considering his authority instead of research. It made me very defensive. He made no effort to see me or require me to come to him. He then accused me of not being sexual and when I finally rebutted his words he told me I was not free to speak my mind and that I no longer belonged to him. Is this normal in the D/s world? I need to know before I continue trying to explore this world any further. I would have done anything for him but he had not seen or attempted to see me in 4 weeks and I was left wondering if I was doing something wrong. I probably sound pathetic but I am trying not to assume. Any advice is appreciated.

 
At December 21, 2016 2:58 PM, Blogger Will said...

To the vanilla whose husband just came out as a dom, I have heard a handful of stories about doms who are unwilling to mix D/s or SM with marriage and/or loving relationships; however this is the exception, not the rule. I suspect such doms are conflicted about their kinks, or unable to integrate the vanilla and kinky aspects of their personalities.

In any case, it's probably worth discussing having your husband practice BDSM with other kinky people; it's not uncommon for married people to have kink play partners. But approach the concept knowing that it will challenge your relationship, perhaps for the better, and perhaps not.

 
At December 21, 2016 3:14 PM, Blogger Will said...

To the reader who met a dom 2 months ago, this gentleman sounds dysfunctional. In my view, it builds trust to encourage a submissive partner to ask questions and do her own research. Any couple is free to come up with their own rules of engagement, but it's beneficial to know something about how others construct D/s relationships. See also How to Interview a Dom/Master Prospect and On Communication Within a Dom/Sub Partnership.

 
At December 27, 2016 2:53 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Will...

I am a mother (18month old) and a switch; I submit to men but thoroughly enjoy domming women. My partner is vanilla.

My predicament is as follows:
A few years ago I had the spark of someone kink in my life, I cheated as it was the thing that I needed, (depraved and deviant); my partner and I nearly split but he would not give up on me (why do we all need to be 'saved'?)..instead we explored 'openly', though he never experienced anyone else.
My then 'Master' was also cheating on his fiancée...she found out, things got messy...his words of comfort became abusive as he insisted I not be the 'bunny boiler' and I heeded and told her every lie he wanted me to....all for him to treat me like dirt. It was an emotional rollercoaster.

I came out the other side stressed and anxious all to fall back into the arms of my vanilla bf gratefully accepting me back. I fell pregnant and the magical parental journey ensued...when our child was 4 months, I was in a misted sense of love and fulfillment and asked him to marry me.

2 months later I once again started conversations on kink with someone and an all too familiar urge rose again...within 6 months of me believing I was happy and ready for (vanilla) marriage, I found myself saying yes to the urge...

I had somehow supressed my kink side and, with the whirlwind of emotions that comes with pregnancy and motherhood, I thought it was a 'phase'...it was not.

I am now back to square one, cheating on my fiancé...but this time my true Master and I are deeply in love...so deep it hurts as we both have vanilla relationships. It has been 13 months since I proposed to my vanilla partner and for nearly 8 of those months I have been in love with my Master whilst still feeling love for my vanilla fiancé, but it is not enough; vanilla is not enough.

My Master and I have every bit of our wiring paired with one another...our daily lives, our passions, desires, needs, lifestyles... Everything. You said about 'Searching for someone with whom you share compatibility in both kink and vanilla terms', yes, that is devastating...but now he has found me and it is so exhilarating.

He has been a Dom for all of his adult life (the stories he could tell you...) and he has never felt this connected to anyone...our D/S relationship is like nothing I've ever had before, boundaries I have never met before are now tickled and tested to see if they will move...he's been the only one to take me to the zone, that other place, our 'realm'; when I am there, he does not let me go nor break my reverie too prematurely... He patiently, lovingly lets me experience it, awaits for me to come out the other side... Just like you say 'Such intensity usually demands a recovery period, which may include focused care immediately following the experience'...and such tenderness is shown...

I know this is a long post but I know not any other way to explain just what we have.

If only we had met years ago, but then I doubt I would have been mature enough and would not like the intense things we both now crave from one another...

At first I started to notice that my vanilla partner was not as satisfying...now I just don't find him as attractive and we do grate on each other's nerves constantly...I just don't want to break his heart; we have a son, but it seems I have no other choice.

My soulmate found me and brought me to life, yet we still cannot live our lives together.

Just how difficult it is to explain to someone why I am not complete if I stay where I am, why it will crush my soul to ignore who I am...

I'm trying so hard to not hurt the person who I once loved...but he just isn't wired the same way as me; he cannot comprehend majority aspects of kink.

I just feel lost without my Master, my soulmate and just wish it were easier but all I feel is guilt and shame because my partner does not understand... He just doesn't get it.

Am I mad?!

Sirene

 
At January 02, 2017 9:02 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow this is a long interesting thread of comments - and a good blog.

Obviously a lot of people are affected by these things. I guess I want to add something that I think hasn't really been said.

First of all, categorization is dangerous in such hairy territory. Even if it's necessary. Boxing people into words like 'vanilla' 'bdsm' may be generally useful for discussion, but then when trying to navigate the nooks and crannies of a real relationship where it has all broken down - then they can be too black and white in a world of well, I won't say how many shades.

My girlfriend is 'vanilla'. It may prove to be a valuable lesson put forward here that we can never fulfill each other. I guess time will tell. But before you throw the whip out with the bath-water (?) and give up on 'vanilla' people - drop the tag and just look at the sexuality of the person in question. Figure it out a bit - push at the boundaries - if you can't find a kink, get hands-on - apply some pressure - bend a few lines wherever you can and see what happens. Don't throw your hands in the air because they're 'vanilla' and will never understand. Get into their heads a bit and try to see what's going on. Let them into yours and let them understand your kinks as much as is possible. Step behind the labels to where people become one way or another. It's worth the effort. Communicate.

Then, like in any relationship, if you're going to have to cut loose, the sooner the better. But similarly, if you've already built a life with someone, it may justify some sacrifices on both sides. Sex is an important compartment of life - you might find someone who fulfills you in that area - or allows for you to be fulfilled elsewhere - but there is always likely to be some other compartments of life where they are not a perfect match. In the end, even for polygamists, there will usually be one person you most want to build your life around. Relationships are tricky exactly because things are rarely perfect - everybody is compromising with reality as they go.

I guess my point is that to answer the question posed here about whether or not BDSM-vanilla relationships are doomed, you have to extend the discussion to other areas because in the end sex does not trump all other considerations. Life is big and complicated.

Most of all I wanted to say that it is more practical to think of things in degrees (of vanillaness or BDSMness) than in absolutes. Give your partner a chance to find out what does it for them. The most likely outcome is that they are some portion of each. If the lack of compatibility is still untenable, make your life decision in the light of the subtle truth of that - along with all the other non-sex-related factors.

I once thought I would go celibate if that's what it took to make the most amazing woman I'd ever met my soulmate for life. Then I realised how stupid it would be to starve for the love of food. So I'm not saying finding a sex-fit isn't a key factor - I'm just saying, sometimes there's not much in the cupboards but you can make a half decent meal and then head out to enjoy the garden and think about things other than food for awhile.

 
At January 05, 2017 1:16 AM, Blogger Unknown said...

I'm married to my best friend. On the outside we look so normal but on the darkside. I've been a slave to. Over the course of 16 years 4 different Masters. My husband and I have 2 children and lately I have a hard time pertaining to be vanilla. Ive been playing with my Master for a year now and the connection is so strong. It's like an addiction. My husband is very vanilla and I've tried to do different kink things with him but me being a slave makes it hard to train. It's not natural for me to train a man. My Master knows that I'm married and he isnt forcing me to leave. But he knows that if he commands it. I will leave in a heartbeat. Wearing this vanilla mask has created horrible mental illness problems with me. I'm on antidepressantsto keep me calm. And I'm just not happy. Most people would call me ungrateful and a whore. Hell. I look at vanillas the same way. My it's now 2017 and I'm planning a meeting to tell my husband that I cant live this double life anymore. I must follow my heart. Someone once told me that love is simple and life is hard. I agree. My love is hard because it's forced. I refuse to live a life that make another person comfortable.
Hell and if he kills me at least I will die being truthful to myself.
My email is mrsharrisjones66@gmail.com

 
At January 19, 2017 8:20 AM, Blogger Rose said...

Hello, thank you for this post...I am recently out a and almost 5 year relationship with a man who had only really had d/s relationships...he was always open about it...I was just a small town vanilla...in the beginning he thought he could change me..but he couldn't. We had a love so magical that it worked...I wanted to be submissive for him...I have a kinky side but I now know it's not the same...he wants the full bdsm life and I cannot give it to him...it kills me..and him we feel like soul mates but this will part our souls...I want to understand him and what it is he needs and wants..he had agreed that he will try to help he as we are still friends...not sure friends wis a good idea..but neither of us can imagine our life's apart...I wish I had found you sooner...I have sought counseling to try and understand...reading this has been the best help thus far. Thanks you.

 
At January 20, 2017 9:36 PM, Blogger Rose said...

I wish I had found this sooner...I am rose..the last poster in here. My relationship of almost 5 years just ended. There is so much love between us it's almost unbelievable...he was always open about his past..I am the vanilla (a classification I hate) he comes open d/s and I am guessing bdsm relationships.. (none that ever truly full filled him) I showed him what pure unconditional love was..I opened his heart in a way he never thought possible...he showed me a tender love I never knew..he made me feel loved and showed me it was ok to be me..
We talked at different times about experiencing things together..but at some point he..we stopped..life took over...he also stopped feeling deserving of my love..he also, I think became ashamed of where he had come from and yet still wanted. He loved me so very much that he couldn't bare leaving me. Until he finally made himself I'll both physically and mentally..when he hit his breaking point I agreed we needed to end our commitment...the hard part was in 5 days we were going to bet together and I was hoping to open the lines of communication...talk about our needs and wants..see if we could keep trying..
In July he hold me how bad he was feeling...I should have tried sooner to talk..but he was taking a new job..had to move to a new city 3 hours away..I commuted every weekend..but it gave him more timexpensive to prepare for exceptiNguyen that we were different...and I could never give him what he wants. It's been a month..we talked still every day..we're best friends..but I asked for a week of no talking..the worst week of my life..people have so many opinions..but we are different...we have started talking again and it's hard. I sent him and email trying to get a better understanding of who is...becuase I clearly missed something huge..he tells me "I am doing not for everyone" and that his counsler agrees...I want to know..I have a need to know what this means..he said he was not into beating or humiliation..but somewhere I lost him..I thought he was conveying he wanted an open and voyeuristic relationships...I knew he was a also a dom. But I focused on the open relationship part and lost sight of his other needs..this just sucks...I could learn to give him some things...but without talking. And working on it together it was lost..he has also made a new friend he says understands him in this regard...this is devastating..I don't know what to do..where to go..I love him still and I think I am making him mad in trying to understand this for myself..he does not get that I have lost my self worth as a result of all this..he tells me it is not that I didn't do something right...or give him enough of me..or that it's not that I am not physically attractive to him but rather a physiological thing in him..he was my world. Was proud to be his...
If you are available for chatting I would be very greatful my email is fussy93060@yahoo.com
Anything helps..your post helped..just wish I had searched sooner..thank you for letting me ramble

 
At February 28, 2017 2:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At February 28, 2017 2:35 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

What I find most interesting in the responses, though, is a broad misconception of what D/s lifestyle may or may not entail.
BDSM is such a broad label and there are many ways to practice within that label.

As many move into this lifestyle it becomes so much more than just sexual. During sessions with my sub I can, sometimes, not sexually gratify myself at all and yet it is still deeply meaningful for me.

I think what many of your post’s responders are missing is that in order for a complete Dom/sub relationship it requires a lot of discipline from the Dom. This isn’t just people acting on id, if it feels good do it, instincts. These are well thought out and carefully planned encounters with physical/emotional desired responses to the scene and very real safety concerns. Same thing with the aftercare. Everything I do, as a Dom, serves a purpose.

Including my expectations of my sub when we’re not actually in a scene. My requirements of her daily life are to make her a better person based off my own personal understanding of who she wants to be. For example three of her daily routine rules are an hour of stationary bike workout, twenty minutes of meditation, and submitting a journal entry to me every morning in an email format. These are requirements that will earn a punishment if they are not completed satisfactorily each day. Punishments for not completing any of these tasks is ten spankings, counted out, for each infraction, with a wooden paddle. I came up with these rules based on things she’s told me she wants to do every day but never felt like she had the time. ‘Lo and behold, she does have the time.

Of course, there are other expectations I have of her that require specific behaviors and postures. The punishment for those infractions are more severe and involve a switch or a rod, which she hates. Spare the rod spoil the sub!

Here’s the thing that I think a lot of people miss: she has given me the authority over her and I do not take this responsibility lightly. It's much more than 'beating someone gets me aroused'. So much of my day and my thoughts are focused on her and her needs for discipline, rewards, comfort, sexual gratification etc. I study things like safe rope use and proper knots, safe paddling techniques, proper aftercare and signs of sub drop.
But I also acknowledge the strength of character it takes for her to submit completely to me and my will.

So maybe this lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but it’s not for the reasons most think.
A person isn’t too strong to submit - they’re, in fact, too weak to submit.

To speak to the responses from people that want a D/s relationship but are in a vanilla relationship currently. An important part of a safe D/s relationship is the ability to communicate, albeit with rules for proper conduct. So if you can't talk to your significant other and express your desires now in a way that makes sense to them then you may not be ready for the lifestyle. This is a relationship of communication both verbal and nonverbal. Part of my responsibility as a Dom is to bring my sub to her threshold of what she can take. If she's in sub-space she may lack the ability to yell out "Artichoke" and I need to know enough about her to back off before I cause serious physical or emotional damage.
Safe words are great when you're starting out but so much of this is trust. If you don't trust your significant other enough to have a conversation about your needs how can you trust them to not accidentally dislocate your shoulder? And without trust in any relationship do you really have a relationship?

That's my two cents worth.

 
At March 04, 2017 8:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is not normal. This is a manipulative asshole hiding behind the title of Dominant. It is common for new subs to fall for that kind of bullshit. Get involved in your local kink community (if there is one), learn from others, get to know people as well as you can before getting involved in any kind of romantic or sexual relationship. Educate yourself as much as possible about kink and bdsm so that you know what to look for and what to expect. The internet is a wealth of info.

 
At March 23, 2017 3:21 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

I definitely agree that D/S and vanilla relationships don't work! I met a guy who told me he was a dom. he told me after we'd been speaking a lot and after we'd slept together. After telling him he was never going to make me his new sub, he told me he wanted to start a relationship with me. I agreed that he could still go to the fet club he worked at as long as he didn't have any sexual contact with anyone he played with.
Anyway, 12 months down the line and a lot of lies on his part, I now find out he can't live without that part of him. Fair enough but I gave him a lot of chances to get out of the relationship and asked on numerous occasions if he was in the relationship for the right reasons which he said yes. I made him happy so he says but because he couldn't control me and is a very insecure person, he became really cruel towards me and made me feel he has just used me.
So, my point of this is, if you are a dom or sub and know that is a huge part of your life, don't get in a relationship with somebody who's vanilla.
He tells me he thought he could change. I didn't realise he was the sadist he clearly is because he always played it down. Maybe he wanted to change, I don't know. All I know is I feel used, betrayed and like he's chewed me up and spat me out and that hurts, a lot!
I have no problem whatsoever with the lifestyle and spent most of my time around it. If that's what you're in to or part of who you are then I have no issue with that. lying and trying to hide the real you is what I have an issue with and being left heartbroken is not nice.

 
At March 23, 2017 3:47 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have to challenge something here, "insecure person" and "Dom" do not belong in the same description.
He may well be a sadist, but definitely not a Dom. Also a true Dom is not cruel nor would he/she lie. As lying is a trait of someone that is insecure.

All the ways you describe him are contrary to a true Dominant's nature.

 
At April 18, 2017 10:36 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

@Sir Great responses..............

 
At April 18, 2017 11:16 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So me and my husband have had a bdsm relationship for awhile but here lately he has wanted to get more dom and become more rough I tell him no he does not care I don't know what to do and no one to talk to about this does anyone else have this problem?

 
At April 18, 2017 1:36 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

@The Explorer Thank you.

 
At June 10, 2017 1:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I just found out my male friend of ten years is a dom. He has always been there for me when I need him. He wants me to be his sub. Why did he chose me ?

 
At June 10, 2017 1:43 AM, Blogger Will said...

I would guess he chose you because he trusts you.

 
At June 10, 2017 6:19 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm sure he chose you because of an attraction to you and a desire to you in submission. Which, of course, is very erotic. I think the greater question to ask is: are you interested in the lifestyle? If you are, do a little research as to what it means to be a sub. Have clear limits of what you're willing to do and what you're not willing to do. Then be prepared to articulate those limits clearly to your potential Dom.
I would like to add that he must be a pretty decent guy. Because if "he's been there for you" and didn't use intimate knowledge of your struggles to exploit you for his own benefit then he's probably a fairly sincere Dom. And if you've already trusted him now you can take that trust to a whole new level. But only if you're open and interested in the lifestyle. This is as much about what you want as it is what he wants.

 
At June 10, 2017 10:53 AM, Blogger Will said...

These are good points, thank you.

 
At June 10, 2017 11:23 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

He has been my confidant for many years and a person i have cared for..he knows I have always have had power in my life amd i have had no choice but to have power As a single mother. But i am afraid I will hate him I the end. I have had a past of bad things happen to me that have made me who I am with a big and caring heart. I am confused. Thk you for the comments above.. we have always been attracted to one another.. he lives this lifestyle and has now that I just found out he has for 15 yrs . Why does he want to do this with me.

 
At June 10, 2017 2:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

If there is sexual chemistry and attraction that's why He wants to do this with you. It's who He is. It's the way He expresses his love sexually. There are many reasons why someone chooses this lifestyle. In my opinion some do it for "the wrong reasons" which I won't get into now. But for some it's simply who they are.
As for your concerns that if you do this with Him you'll end up hating Him that depends on several things. First, how well you communicate your needs and your limits. A good Dom will respect those and honor you. If He doesn't then He is not a good Dom.
Second is how open you are in regards to your own sensuality and sexuality. If you are closed minded and fearful you will not enjoy this. That isn't to say that some scenes won't be exhilarating and frightening. But a good Dom will be reassuring. You'll still feel safe in His care.

I wrote in response to an earlier comment that being a sub isn't a sign of weakness. It, actually, is an indicator of how strong you are. Think of a difficult time in your life when you overcame your fear and withstood the "the storm". That's a very empowering moment isn't it? Subs do that all the time. And then get aftercare, lol. Being a sub takes strength of character. And a good Dom recognizes that. Before you make up your mind do some research. Go visit some sub run blogs. Then make an informed decision.

But in response to your question I must reiterate He asked you to be His sub likely because He loves you and wants to fully express His love for you.

 
At June 10, 2017 6:07 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

He came over the other night.kissed me for the first time in 10 yrs of friendship and told me to repeat what he said.. today he swore at me in text because I didn't address him by the name I agreed to call him. .. I them expressed to him that it made me cry and coming from him hurt me.. he understood and calmed me down.. I am such a strong woman and I told him I felt weak and he said he didn't day I was weak but was going to push my limits. He is coming over tonight for our first engagement??

 
At June 10, 2017 8:10 PM, Blogger Will said...

I think you two need to engage in a series of conversations, and not jump right to kink. Just because you trust each other in a confidant context does not mean you will have similar success in a D/s scenario. Building trust for that is a new and separate project.

You could ask him a lot of questions about his previous kinky relationships, for starters. Get him to tell you his stories...

 
At June 11, 2017 1:06 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well I did my tasks and wow i never knew my mind and body could feel or do what it did . It was a 2 hr meeting and about 3 quarters through I felt I had to be me and shoe aggression.. I started to cry.. this.man this.man of 10 yrs of friendship stopped untied me and wiped away my tears as he told me without me asking his previous experiences being a dom...we talked and engaged in adult conversation and I felt so much better knowing I have always been able to talk to him.we expressed our passed feelings for one another.. he is a very understanding and respectful dom... I wouldn't experience this with anyone else but him . He has ams always has had a special place in my heart.. he did not hurt me at all tonight but stimulated my body and my mind. I am ready..thank you for all of your advice above ..I adore this man

 
At June 11, 2017 5:35 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm glad you seemed to enjoy your introduction to the lifestyle. But I'd like to support what Will said in his last post about not "jumping right in to kink" and what I suggested also, in an earlier post. Before engaging in a scene you and your Dom really need to communicate openly about what both of your expectations are. Not just experience but expectations! Needs, limits and a safe word, to say the least.

You also need to discuss your "contract". Keeping in mind the three pillars of bdsm: safe, sane and consensual.

I would also like to mention an area of concern that He swore at you for not addressing Him properly. Especially, as a first time infraction before your very first session. I, personally, have never swore at a sub unless it was previously agreed that he or she liked to be talked to that way. It's simply not my style. Even when a sub is testing my limits, believe me there will be firm consequences. But I've never given a punishment in anger. I don't need or like to use intimidation as a form of punishment.

If your Dom does now is the time to be clear about what you find to be acceptable treatment. Communication is crucial and the key to a successful relationship. Please don't skip this step!

Keep in mind that if you have a slave contract it is different from being a sub. Please, please, please read about the lifestyle first, before you go any further. Go into this with your eyes wide open!

 
At August 09, 2017 8:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

hi.. does anybody can give me some advice please. i am married for two years..with a man who seems likes being submissive with other man. i just recently found out after i have managed to cracked on his email passwords. i was literally in tears last night as my son and i are living thousand miles away from him for almost a year now. we are just planning to rejoin each other before year ends..but i felt like our marriage is now falling apart and i dont know if it if will be safe for us to join him again. it is strange how i felt fear over him now not for myself,,but for our son. I dont know which way im going now,,i cant accept the fact myself that somebody else will touch and give him pleasure at this point of time..He ddnt know i already knew what hes up to...and im still thinking whether ill tell him or not. Please give me some advice and make me understand... thank you.. Jho

 
At August 16, 2017 6:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is for jho. something similar happened to me and we did not split up. my partner used prostitutes for unusual services. he hid it from me to save me hurt and confusion. it was a compulsion for him, and we struggled to understand each other, eventually becoming closer(he got it down to 2 or 3 times a year). I came to see it as an interest we did not share but that did not diminish what we had(with difficulty!). if you do tell him, then expect him to feel hurt and betrayal that you hacked into his account. this is not going to help the trust and respect part of your relationship. but it could enhance the caring and sharing. what your husband does in private with other men is no risk to your son. how you handle this is. I advise you delay telling him while you get support and think thru your own anguish/fear.
you did the right thing coming here. will offers insight and intelligent coping skills which I applaud. most bdsm blogs are porno/fantasy, and will not help you. I can recommend the blog Hive Mind by Dr Robert King, a (kinky) psychology researcher with great humour. understanding the motivation helped me. don't give up, this could make you stronger and more compassionate. I send you hugs and kisses. Marion.

 
At September 02, 2017 6:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love this article and all the comments. It's nice to know that I'm not alone. I've been with my other half for many years now and we have an awesome son. He's known from day one that I'm a kinky woman and has always said he is great with that and he is kinky, too. As the years have gone by, I've noticed it's not like he's said. I am a submissive. I've known that about myself for as long as I can remember. Certainly as long as I've been sexual active. I've tried to give him time to adjust and learn, a few years of it since I told him I'm a sub, but he just doesn't seem to. He says he's interested, but nothing had changed. I know it's not something he's done before me. I understand that.. I just don't know. I need more. I have tried to just put it aside or to try not to think about it, but it never works. I feel bad for feeling this way. I sometimes wish I didn't need and crave these things because it'd be easier not to, but I do. It's to the point that it makes me sad, very sad. I love him dearly.. I just don't know how to tell him I'm not happy with our sex life.. not even a little.. in all other aspects I'm very happy. He's wonderful... but sex is a huge part of a relationship to me. It's a part of who I am as a person. I've tried talking to him or asking to bring in soft kink items like handcuffs or a blinfold he doesn't use them. Maybe it's just not in him. I'm just at a loss. Any advice?
~SM

 
At September 02, 2017 9:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not knowing him or you my advice is worth no more than my personal opinion and experience.



Keep in mind that it is difficult for a modern man raised in our world today to wrap our brains around this concept. Even being kinky in our thoughts is difficult to translate into a physical manifestation. The reason is this lifestyle is contrary to what we're telling young men they need to be in today's society. And how we're supposed to view and treat women.



All is not lost though. And though this is the opposite of what you want to be doing you'll need to lead him to become the Dom you want him to be. I have to ask do you willingly submit to him in other aspects of your life or only sexually?
I have found, personally, that it is difficult to switch from normal to Dom. So I am simply a Dom 24/7. That's not say that I always am the Dom my sub needs me to be. I make mistakes or become complacent. So my sub and I monthly give each other a list of 3 things we want for the upcoming month from each other. I also require her to keep a journal daily. Each morning she brings me her journal and a cup of coffee and places them in a specific spot on my desk next to my glasses. These two activities take the guesswork out of her needs.



You may have to take the initiative to introduce him to doing this.



Also I would recommend you suggest some porn sites to him that illustrate the kind of kink you're wanting and willing to explore with him. Men are visual learners. Show him what he could be doing, give him some visual reenforcement.



When he comes to bed prepare yourself for your Dom. Put on something HE would find sexy. Pick a sexy sub position to be waiting for him in. Again, emphasizing the visual appeal to him.



I'd also suggest giving him a title in bed "Sir" or "Daddy" or whatever. Find a way to work that in as you're doing something he likes. I recommend while you're performing oral on him, stop and ask "Do you like this Sir?"



Report back and let me know how it's going after doing these things. Give it time.



If this doesn't work there are other options. Depending on what your submissive kink is. Let me know how things go.

 
At September 08, 2017 3:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow...this is so spot on I can't believe it. I didn't know I was submissive until after I was married. I have taken over dominant roles in many parts of my life because I've had to. I have become disdainful of my partner because he just doesn't fulfil me on the most basic levels. I feel terrible, because he can't change who he is at his core, anymore than I can. I have stepped outside of my marriage to explore this side and it's been mindblowing, and at the same time I feel bad for "needing" this in my life. It's a tough balance to be who everyone thinks you are on the outside, but on the inside you know it's mostly a sham.

 
At September 03, 2018 8:19 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm a shy guy who learned and acquired the desire to be dominant through sex work. Looking back my kink was taking power and control by being the one getting paid. I gave up that side of myself completely when Ieft that world.

It the opposite of the power executive turning into a sub at night. I'm the guy who you'd might not think I that way upon first meet. And now it's back. I no longer I interested in casual hook ups and can only be fulfilled in one way. Now that I've acknowledged this I'm meeting subs figuring my way around. I can't imagine it any other way. My shyness wss really being worried about what others would think. Once I let that go it had become an exciting journey.

 
At November 15, 2018 4:58 PM, Blogger sprof said...

Every relationship dynamic is different.
As a sub my needs are going to be specific to me.
If a man I meet has natural D. traits I can serve him and his needs along with getting g mine met, who defines our dynamic?

I'm in a relationship presently, I've discussed how I see my role and he concurs.
He is kinky and likes to "drive ".
Just because he is not in the lifestyle doesn't mean it won't work.

Many married vanilla couples have entered the D/s life.
When a wife comes to her husband and asks him.

Some rise to the challenge, some do not.

 
At July 03, 2019 5:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gday,just found out my wife of 20 is cyber dom or switch. Its she has subs on her phone she controls with coughs. Snorts ect so they stop talking or saying her name when me or my kids enter room. I secretley recorded while i was in shower because i had been hearing whispers in our house for years. Ok. On recording shes whispering fuck me. And another mans name. Then photo clicks on phone. You can hear voices on phone. Say. Bad doggy. Other word ive picked up are. Pets or pats. This is the island. And we want to kill you. Can any one shed some light on this for me pls

 
At July 13, 2019 11:48 PM, Anonymous Nancy said...

cry me a river, everyone. kink is demonstrably not an orientation. literally anyone can be introduced to dominance and submission. Dominant and submissive--these are play positions, not kinds of people. the problem here? you don't know how to effectively communicate what kink even is. at its heart, BDSM is a trust exercise. like falling backward into the arms of your partner who will catch you and not even remotely different. exactly the same. if you can't communicate this, then you will fail. if you can, then you will succeed. no one has any reason to fear trust exercises. that's the point of them--to increase closeness and reduce fear by facing it directly. you build on that. you want your husband to dominate you? teach him by dominating him. this is not what the article goes on about, either--this is not merely taking the lead and being unsatisfied, this is being honest in that anyone can play any part well with proper training and a decent skill set. the heart of BDSM is consent. as a self-described kinkster, it is YOUR JOB to gain consent, not your "vanilla" partner's job to consent. you need to seduce them into the scene by revealing yourself FULLY to encourage them to reveal themselves fully--everyone has kinky desires; few would recognize these desires as kinky, quite often. BOTTOM LINE--if you can't acquire their trust, then you are better off finding another because that's what's missing from your relationship, not kink.

 
At September 28, 2019 12:20 PM, Blogger Child of the stars said...

I am stuck in an opposite situation. I don't have an interest in BDSM however my current partner of 7 years dropped a bomb on me by stating his interest in kink. I'm ok with his online Dom play on certain sites, and it hasn't poured over into real life, but I feel our relationship is doomed. I have no interest in getting the shit beat out of me for fun.🙄

 
At December 22, 2019 8:56 AM, Blogger Rogueokie said...

Heheh. So Im chuckling over here dude. Have to say I do not agree with this. Some of the kinkiest shit that has ever happened to me has been in vanilla het relationships.

 
At October 27, 2020 11:05 AM, Anonymous Christopher Neff said...

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