HOW TO START THE D/S CONVERSATION
Okay, it’s time for another BDSM tea time with your favorite tutor. I’ve already gotten things started with this explanation that details all the finer things about how our biological needs affect us from biological needs, withdrawals, to aftercare and Sub/Dom Drop. I already have more BDSM information up too, you can browse a library of useful little tidbits on my page with the tag tga:tutor and content: bdsm 101
You’re a little kinky, but you’re not sure what part of BDSM is right for you. The good news is that BDSM is more than just the four letters its acronym stands for:
and sadism and masochism.
BDSM is all about pushing boundaries and exploring new territories with a sex partner, and most importantly, BDSM depends on the enthusiastic consent of both people involved, and requires a lot of respect and open communication to work well.
BDSM contains a wide range of different sexual activities, including role-play, bondage, and domination and submission. If you’re ready to explore and you think your partner might be, too boo, it’s time to start talking about it.
CONSENT, CONSENT, CONSENT!
So what’s step one, you ask? Well, consent is the first key landmark to hit if you’re looking to get your BDSM on. Before you begin to have the conversation, you’ve got to make sure that your partner(s) is consenting to having it.
It’s important to remember that consent can be taken away at any time, for anything at all, even if it was previously consented to, especially during BDSM play. Just because you’re both kinky honey or you’ve tried something before doesn’t mean you’ll always be into it. You and your partner should make sure you have clear, ongoing communication about your boundaries, your likes and dislikes, and any limits you have. And know that the items on these lists can change at any time, so it’s important to be consistently checking in.
That being said, there is a list of people that have already laid out blanket consent statements HERE for your use. Whether you want to use it to find someone to scene with or to have your name added to it.
SO YOU WANT TO START THE CONVERSATION?
If you’re thinking about exploring the many options within BDSM— whether you want to buy a pair of handcuffs to tie your partner up, or practice with a whip and chains— the first thing you need to do is open the conversation with your partner(s).
Ask your partner(s) how much they know about BDSM as a whole. Most people speak in only simple D/s terms in this world because that is the most obvious part of this term, but there is so much more to it. Even those that believe themselves to be advanced, even professional Dominants, Switches, and Submissives that offer their D/s services for pay, could stand to learn a little more. There isn’t enough time in one life to know every single thing there is to know about BDSM.
Decide what it is that you’re looking to get out of this experience. Is it a one time scene? Is it part of a bigger relationship? Are you exploring yourself? Learning new things? Are you more interested in the potentially non sexual aspects of Bondage And Disciplines? Are you looking to sate your D/s needs? Do you prefer or need something harsher- something like sadism and masochism? If this is your first time getting even a little kinky, it might be helpful for each of you to write down a list of kinky situations you’re interested in trying, along with a second list of your hard boundaries. If you’re into trying anal but you absolutely do not want nipple clamps, your partner needs to know that, and vice versa. Emotions and exclusivity is part of this conversation too. It is important to be on the same page there, because in this world it isn’t out of place for someone to assume that their relationship is open or free for poly influences. People dip into BDSM with multiple people all of the time and it is ABSOLUTELY NOT something that requires you to be in a committed relationship.
While you’re having this discussion, it’s important to come up with one or more safe words with your partner. First, decide on a word that will serve as an absolute stop during sexual activity. Think of this safe word like an off button; if you or your partner uses it, even within the realm of role play, domination, or other kinky sex situations, then you’ll both stop immediately and reassess the situation to make sure everyone’s comfortable. Safe words particularly come in handy if you’re role playing or practicing sadism, masochism, dominance or submission, but they can be used any time that someone is even slightly uncomfortable or wants to take a pause. Safe words are often used in lieu of partners simply saying “No” or “Stop,” because those words might be a part of the role play, especially if you’re practicing extremely rough sex. For those that want to check on their partners during play, “stoplight safewords” can be used as well. Red, yellow, and green to indicate how comfortable a person is and not only can the Submissive in the situation use them, the Dominant can order/ask the Submissive to tell them where they are so that they can both keep an eye on comfort levels.
AFTERCARE IS IMPORTANT. PERIOD.
I already told you in my last post, it’s also important to meet your and your partner’s emotional needs before and after BDSM sex acts, particularly if they’re rough or involve any role playing such as dominance and submission, or sadism and masochism. Imagine being whipped like Jesus on a St. Andrew’s cross and then left to bleed dry on your own? No. Even the smallest scene could end up feeling that intense if you don’t bother with aftercare. A human mind is a shady place, and you can talk yourself into a whole mess if you let it get there. It might help if you have a soothing conversation after a rough scene, but talk about it with your partner to see what makes sense for both of you. BDSM can be an exciting, kinky addition to your sex life—but maintaining active, enthusiastic consent and communication is key, honey.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING.
You should know by now, this whole scene is a constantly revolving door. You can hop off and leave whenever you want, but if you’re staying on for the ride you’re going to need to keep with the pattern the door swings on; communication, scene, aftercare, communication, scene, aftercare. When you’re first trying BDSM and kinky sex acts with a new partner(s), you should check in with them regularly to make sure you’re both enjoying yourselves sexually and emotionally, that you feel safe and comfortable, and that you both want to move forward. Have a nonjudgmental conversation about what’s working for both of you, what isn’t, and what you might want to try in the future. You can’t get what you want and need if you don’t speak up. The best way to maintain enthusiastic consent is to do these regular check-ins, especially when BDSM is new to you, you’re trying a new type of BDSM act, or you’re with a new partner, to make sure everyone’s on the same page. This isn’t exclusive to the sex acts either, this goes for non sexual BDSM too.
Got questions? I know. It’s a lot to process. But you can always reply to these information posts of mine with questions, DM, or @ me, I am more than well equipped to help me field these questions if you want to chat it up. My inbox is always open.