What is "the lifestyle"?

[Cirrus]

I hear this term used so much, and I'm sure like most things, it has different meanings to different people.

What is a lifestyle, anyway? I consider it a peer group and a set of related behaviors. I'm a student, so I guess it could be said I'm in the college lifestyle (though I'm a non-trad, so maybe not as much). Still, I attend classes, take notes and tests, and eat cafeteria food. However, I don't participate in a lot of things usually associated with college, like casual sex and houseparties or excessive drinking, or dorm life So am I in the college "lifestyle" or not?

So how do you define this things we call the BDSM lifestyle? Is it anyone who practices SM? Anyone who practices D/s? At any point or must you be 24/7? Just wondering what everyone thinks. I know we'll never agree on common criteria, but still...post your opinions.

As for me, I think anyone who engages semi-regularly in "kink" or power exchange, and has a need/desire for those things is in the lifestyle.

 

[Ebonyfire]

Honestly, Cirrus

This is a subject that has been beat to death. I love to support your posts, but I am just too damn lazy to respond again.

I think I have posted my views in this forum before. I tend to let those who love to categorize things do so.

I just live my life in the manner of My choosing and let labels be damned.

Eb

 

[lark sparrow]

I never liked "lifestyle" and refuse to use it in terms of being gay or lesbian... because other than those you engage in sex, one still has a fairly average life, which doesn't differ much from anyone else's life (read mainstream). I've always responded, I have a life, just like you - stylish or not. If a gay or lesbian person were a heavy, overtly involved activist, perhaps it could be considered a "lifestyle".

In terms of BDSM, it doesn't tend to irk me. I've never really questioned it, though I suppose the same argument would hold true. In my own mind, thinking this out, I think it does become more of a "lifestyle" when common day things are changed in terms of your life - protocal, rituals and such. Being lesbian has never had this affect on my life. Being submissive to a Dominant has. This could all be argued against, but that seems to be how it has settled for me. Does that make sense?

I would say that if people consider themselves involved with the "BDSM lifestyle" then they are.

 

[Ricckk]

I never liked "lifestyle" and refuse to use it in terms of being gay or lesbian... because other than those you engage in sex, one still has a fairly average life, which doesn't differ much from anyone else's life (read mainstream). I've always responded, I have a life, just like you - stylish or not. If a gay or lesbian person were a heavy, overtly involved activist, perhaps it could be considered a "lifestyle".

To me, "The Lifestyle" implies that one is more deeply involved than just the sexual aspects. So I would agree that sexual orientation has little to do with lifestyle.