Finding my place…

leyna

Really Experienced
Joined
Jun 24, 2011
Posts
135
There has always been a part of me that craves being on the submissive side, a bit of bondage, and exploring the fine line between pleasure and pain. But, from reading these boards, I find myself questioning how “submissive” I am.
A little background: I was married 15 years to a boor of a man who believed that I should “know my role and shut my mouth.” Without getting into too many details, let’s just say this dynamic did not sit well with me and we divorced. But not before he had said to me, on many occasions, “You think you’re a man.” What he meant was that I was strong, authoritative, and a fighter. (Mind you, I’m 4’10” and he was 6’ – I was not a formidable physical threat – my will was just too strong).
But I think a big part of me WANTS to relinquish control. So here’s the question… HWHMMLWL and I have begun to add some BDSM related kink and I feel I want to avoid “topping from the bottom” as it were. For instance, whenever he’s tied me up it’s been at my suggestion. (I’ve even told him about Shibari and had him google it – which he was totally into.) Except, last time he tied me up, I kept making suggestions beyond that and he kept saying, “Maybe”. So I asked him, “What do you mean, maybe?” And he said, “In case you didn’t notice, I’M the one in control here.”
Ok – so I don’t even know what my question is perhaps it has something to do with the transition from a vanilla relationship– any thoughts?
 
Hey, sounds like he's getting the idea!:rose:

The thing you need to do though, is make sure he understands your needs. It's all very well for him to decide that he's going to Dominate you, but if that means you never get what you want-- BECAUSE you've communicated it to him-- Well, i would have a problem with that. Eventually, he'll know you, and know what he's doing, and know how to play you like a harp. Until then, he needs to read the sheet music once in a while.
 
I think what may help is giving him the sheet music before the concert, to continue Stella's analogy :p Talk to him, outside the bedroom and "playtime". That way, he knows what you're wanting/needing, but you're not infringing on his control. It's still up to him whether or not he does what you want...but you're still letting him know what you need.

I don't have this problem, but I've had a lot of success doing this with my boyfriend. I don't always get what I want--partly due to our respective schedules, energy levels, and the distance between us--but it still helps.

And Stella is right. If he knows what you want/need and he never gives it to you simply because you want it...then that's a problem.

As far as the transition from "vanilla" goes, I think you should approach it like any other aspect of a relationship. Keep communication lines open, don't be afraid to use them, and make sure everyone has an understanding. It's not really any different than anything else :) And give yourselves the flexibility to go back and forth. This isn't a rigid highway with a 10 ft concrete divider. You're allowed to decide you don't like something and go back, or decide, hey, this is just a kinky thing we do and we don't want to get real into it. There's plenty of rest stops along the road, and no one should make you pick and stay at one. Besides, I heard the one just off the turnpike gets HORRIBLE reception. Don't even ASK about their WiFi!
 
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And please remember and be aware that enjoying strong sensations or impact play, or a hank of rope does NOT make you a submissive. Nor does the desire to take care of someone else, for that matter.

Submissiveness is a quality that is a bit separate from your sexual desires. You might have some submissive qualities, but you might not "Be A Submissive." If that is true, your boyfriend needs to know it, and not go making assumptions about your need to be Dominated (or his right to do so.)

Be as clear as you can be, as you travel this path.
 
Well, you know you don't have to be submissive to enjoy being tied up, right? You could be a bottom, a masochist... a top who happens to want to be in control of being tied up... you could simply be a kinkster who doesn't want those submissive/dominant vibes in the middle and happen to just get your rocks off while going through a fun kinky scene.

Stella Omega said:
It's all very well for him to decide that he's going to Dominate you, but if that means you never get what you want-- BECAUSE you've communicated it to him-- Well, i would have a problem with that.
It's exactly that.

There's a difference between dominant and "dumbass".

Anyway, there's nothing wrong with doing kinky things without having dominant and submissive lifestyles. You can still be headstrong and enjoy giving up control during sex because you like being tied up and he can dominant you during sex without being too full of his own ego to consider your needs. Relationships are about communication. Maybe you need to address your communication before scenes, but really, how else are you going to learn what you two like if not talking about it and trying different things.

Yes, yes, maybe he wants to be the one who's "in control here" but maybe that's not what you need and maybe it is and both of those are okay. As much of a sin as some people make out 'topping from the bottom' to be, it is okay to figure out what you both individually need too, and that includes both giving and receiving instruction... even in a D/s relationship, but especially in an exploring D/s relationship. Keep the communication flowing, and that's how he can learn to play you like a harp, that's how you can learn what his needs are, that's how you two can learn if this is right for you.

But yeah, if you maybe take the discussion of needs and wants out of the bedroom it might make it less of a 'I'm telling you what to do while I'm tied up' moodkiller too. :)
 
Stella Omega, bhndblueyes88, and Noira: Thank you all for your thoughts.

I think the biggest dilemma is in the differentiation of whether it’s just the kink I crave or if it truly is the D/s dynamic that I long for. And then the question lies in whether it stays at the bedroom door or not. Having grown up without a father, could it be that I crave the “dominant male figure” who offers direction and support? Of course the flip side is that I have become a strong-willed independent, authoritative woman – who’s also free-spirited, unorganized and thoroughly undisciplined. I think a large part of me WANTS to be reigned in, but NOT by someone like my ex.

Thankfully, HWHMMLWL and I have a very communicative relationship – we don’t live together so we talk, IM, and email about everything throughout the day. We are very much on the same wavelength and often know instantly what the other is thinking. When I find the right wording, I feel very comfortable talking to him about things I like and/or might want to try. So I guess I have to learn to be patient in between the telling and the happening?

To carry Stella’s analogy further, he is very in tune with me and very perceptive of nuances that indicate a change in my mood/emotions, etc. (It’s almost unnerving at times because I can’t hide my feelings – he always knows…) One of his favorite things to do is touching me in different ways and places and watching for my responses. He would never withhold something that he knows I want just because it’s an ego trip – his mission, when we are together, is to bring me pleasure to the point where it knocks me out (a formidable goal that I relish helping him to pursue).

I just beg your indulgence with my seemingly redundant or elementary questions. I'm here to learn because I want to be clear in my own mind of the things I want/need so that i can then, in turn, communicate that clearly to him.
 
And please remember and be aware that enjoying strong sensations or impact play, or a hank of rope does NOT make you a submissive. Nor does the desire to take care of someone else, for that matter.

Submissiveness is a quality that is a bit separate from your sexual desires. You might have some submissive qualities, but you might not "Be A Submissive." If that is true, your boyfriend needs to know it, and not go making assumptions about your need to be Dominated (or his right to do so.)

Be as clear as you can be, as you travel this path.



I would also like to add that the opposite may be true. One can "Be A Submissive" without having natural submissive qualities. My nature is to be non-confrontational and polite, but not submissive at all. But with Daddy I am His Submissive.

About 10 years ago before I met Daddy I tried to see if my husband would be into topping me emotionally and physically in the bedroom. I found I was doing all the directing, constantly telling him what I wanted in and out of actua playtime. It sucked for both of us. I wasn't getting what I really wanted, which was really to not have to tell him anything. And he was getting frustrated with not being able to please me so he could fuck me the way he wanted. I'm so glad we finally gave up and went back to being a kinky vanilla happiy married couple. The sex is great as it is.
 
I found I was doing all the directing, constantly telling him what I wanted in and out of actua playtime. It sucked for both of us. I wasn't getting what I really wanted, which was really to not have to tell him anything.

THIS!
I guess that's why i'm just trying to explore and examine what it is, exactly, that i want/need.
HWHMMLWL has a tremendous amount of respect for me, my independence, and my responsibilities as a parent - I HAVE to run my life and, as the decisions I make do not impact only me, he never tells me what i should do and only offers his opinion or makes suggestions when they are requested. I guess it's a matter of not only determining where the line is, but also figuring out how to get there.
 
There are probably a few humps he'll have to get over himself as well. Half the reason why I have to tell my boyfriend what I want is not because he doesn't think of them himself or want to do them...he's just afraid to hurt me or push too hard. He hasn't really found his own balance (which I imagine is kinda trick to find over 8k miles).

I'm sure y'all will figure it out :)
 
There are probably a few humps he'll have to get over himself as well. Half the reason why I have to tell my boyfriend what I want is not because he doesn't think of them himself or want to do them...he's just afraid to hurt me or push too hard. He hasn't really found his own balance (which I imagine is kinda trick to find over 8k miles).

I'm sure y'all will figure it out :)
Right. That's why one of my earliest posts was about recognizing and encouraging the traits in HIM. There are things i *think* i see - flashes/twinkles reacting to things that might be mentioned in passing or verbal play - or how tickled he gets when he is driving me over the edge. I want him to know that i'm willing to go wherever he wants to take me (i know i'll always have the option to put up roadblocks)
Thank you for delving into this with me - it's nice to be able to bounce ideas off others who have been there :)
 
I wasn't getting what I really wanted, which was really to not have to tell him anything
Well in theory, there should be some point at which you can say;
"Honey, you probably know enough about me by now, I don't want to have to tell you anything."
 
true

"Honey, you probably know enough about me by now, I don't want to have to tell you anything."

I completely agree with this statement. I was just talking with someone about how my current lover is learning what I like but will never be what I NEED! He is interested in learning to please me but I want a PYL that wants what I want and knows that we are both looking for different sides of the same coin.
 
Leyna I am so glad I saw this post and you are not a lone on trying figure out your place.

I too am trying, I have been married for several years. But with all relationships you grow, learn and experience new things.

I have always wanted him to be a little more forceful or aggressive in the bedroom. I like the feeling of being dominated but have never experience the whole BDSM thing. From the sounds of some of it I don’t think it would turn me on. I am pretty sure I don’t want someone to say mean and hurtful things to me so the humiliation side would not be a turn on for me. As far as the tying up and restrains part I think I would totally love. Him telling me what he was going to do to me and that I am his to do it too; Yes, that would set me off right there.

The problem for us is that he doesn't want it to feel like he is raping me and with me tied up and/or if he is too aggressive it gives him that vibe.

How do you change that?
 
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I completely agree with this statement. I was just talking with someone about how my current lover is learning what I like but will never be what I NEED! He is interested in learning to please me but I want a PYL that wants what I want and knows that we are both looking for different sides of the same coin.
You only agreed with half of my statement, then. :eek:
 
There has always been a part of me that craves being on the submissive side, a bit of bondage, and exploring the fine line between pleasure and pain. But, from reading these boards, I find myself questioning how “submissive” I am.
A little background: I was married 15 years to a boor of a man who believed that I should “know my role and shut my mouth.” Without getting into too many details, let’s just say this dynamic did not sit well with me and we divorced. But not before he had said to me, on many occasions, “You think you’re a man.” What he meant was that I was strong, authoritative, and a fighter. (Mind you, I’m 4’10” and he was 6’ – I was not a formidable physical threat – my will was just too strong).
But I think a big part of me WANTS to relinquish control. So here’s the question… HWHMMLWL and I have begun to add some BDSM related kink and I feel I want to avoid “topping from the bottom” as it were. For instance, whenever he’s tied me up it’s been at my suggestion. (I’ve even told him about Shibari and had him google it – which he was totally into.) Except, last time he tied me up, I kept making suggestions beyond that and he kept saying, “Maybe”. So I asked him, “What do you mean, maybe?” And he said, “In case you didn’t notice, I’M the one in control here.”
Ok – so I don’t even know what my question is perhaps it has something to do with the transition from a vanilla relationship– any thoughts?

My suggestion is he apply a ball gag to shut you up. :mad:
 
Why "mad?":confused:

I was making a bit of a joke.

I keep picturing her guy trying to Dom her as she is bitching at him on how to do it.

And he said, “In case you didn’t notice, I’M the one in control here.”

I find it hysterical.
 
I was making a bit of a joke.

I keep picturing her guy trying to Dom her as she is bitching at him on how to do it.

And he said, “In case you didn’t notice, I’M the one in control here.”

I find it hysterical.
oh so--;) maybe?

;)
 
I was making a bit of a joke.

I keep picturing her guy trying to Dom her as she is bitching at him on how to do it.

And he said, “In case you didn’t notice, I’M the one in control here.”

I find it hysterical.

"bitching at him" ???
no.
As i tried to explain - maybe not as lucidly as i had hoped - was that we are still exploring, so i've been trying to let him know what i'd be open to, but i guess it may have been the wrong moment?
and i have to admit - his response made me chuckle (and swoon) at the time as well.


RE: Ball-gag- perhaps so the neighbors don't think he's killing me - i tend to be a bit of a screamer;) )
 
Or even better!!! An interchangable system that comes with a number of faces!!

:mad:
:D
:eek:
:)
:(

It'd be like a MOOD GAG :D
 
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