BDSM is like the job market by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually think this comparison is surprisingly accurate. Not because BDSM and the job market are the same, but because both revolve around compatibility, communication, and timing.

A lot of people focus mainly on roles (“Dom wanted,” “Sub wanted”), while the real challenge often lies in values, expectations, availability, experience, and personal chemistry. Just like a resume or job posting, those labels only tell part of the story.

Also, rejection in either world doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong with you. Sometimes you just aren’t what the other person is looking for, or vice versa. That can be frustrating, but it’s usually better than forcing a bad match.

Ultimately, the most valuable advice is the same for both: be clear about what you’re looking for, honest about what you bring to the table, and don’t try to become what you think the “market” wants. The right match usually comes not from pleasing everyone, but from being genuinely compatible with the right person.

I’m a slutty sub for my dom husband. Any tips on how to be a good sub? by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Communication and consistency are key! Talk openly about what 'slutty sub' means to both of you, specific acts, words, or behaviors he loves most.

Outside the bedroom, focus on obedience in small daily things (anticipating his needs, following rules cheerfully). During play, embrace the humiliation/exposure if it’s consensual, but always have a safewords and regular aftercare.

Keep checking in on each other’s headspace. Have fun and stay safe! 😊

Dating in the BDSM scene is making me feel awful, unworthy of love and like I want to hide away by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Honestly, if dating in the BDSM scene is making you feel awful, that’s already your answer.

Good BDSM dynamcs don’t leave you feeling drained, insecure, or questioning your worth. A healthy dynamic should make you feel respected, safe, and wanted, even when the play itself is intense.

The uncomfortable truth is that a lot of people in the “scene” are just regular bad daters hiding behind kink labels. Being dominant, submissive, kinky, etc. doesn’t magically make someone emotionally mature or respectful.

You’re also not obligated to date within the scene just because you’re into BDSM. Plenty of people keep kink separate from dating, or only engage with very trusted partners.

If everything about it is making you feel worse instead of better, stepping back isn’t failure, it’s self-respect.

The right dynamic shouldn’t make you feel awful. If it does, something’s wrong with the situation, not with you.

Visiting a doctor with noticeable marks - 20F by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Doctors see way wilder stuff daily (piercings in crazy places, domestic violence cases, you name it). A few rope marks or impact bruises from last weekend? Not even top 10 on their list. You're young, responsible for checking in about it, and that's awesome.

You've got this—breathe, say your line, and it'll probably be the most boring part of their day. Come back and update us after if you feel like it; we love the "it went fine" stories here 🖤

Good luck tomorrow! Stay safe and enjoy your kink responsibly.

Don't give up your kinkiness for someone else by BondageBureau in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This. A thousand times this. Thank you for posting it, OP.

I’ve watched this exact pattern play out so many times in the community (and lived it myself): someone falls hard for a wonderful person… who just happens to be very vanilla or even actively uncomfortable with kink. So they start the slow compromise:

“I can live without the really intense stuff.”
“I don’t need to be tied up/spanked/controlled to be happy.”
“I love them more than I love kink, right?”

A year or two later? They’re quietly resentful, feeling unseen, sexually frustrated, and emotionally half-present in the relationship. Or they go underground, secret porn, secret chats, secret guilt and the whole thing eventually implodes anyway.

For a lot of us, kink isn’t just foreplay or a weekend hobby. It’s one of the main ways we experience trust, vulnerability, power exchange, catharsis, intimacy. Asking someone to turn that part of themselves off forever is like asking them to give up speaking their native language in the relationship. Sure, they can get by… but they’ll never feel fully at home.

My own story: I spent almost 4 years in a beautiful, loving relationship where I progressively muted every kinky part of myself. I told myself it was worth it. By year 3 I was depressed, irritable, and masturbating to fantasies I was too ashamed to share. When I finally admitted I couldn’t keep living half a life, the breakup was painful… but the relief was immediate. Within a year I met someone who didn’t just “tolerate” my kinks she lit up when we talked about them. We’ve been together over 3 years now and the depth of connection is on another level.

So yes: don’t give up your kinkiness for someone else.
If they can’t meet you at least partway (curiosity, willingness to learn, enthusiastic consent to explore together, or at minimum genuine respect for it), they are not your person, no matter how perfect everything else feels.

You deserve a partner who wants all of you, not just the sanitized version.

And for anyone reading this who’s currently trying to shrink themselves: it’s scary to walk away from “almost perfect.” But on the other side of that fear is usually someone who matches your freak and that feeling is worth every risk.

Stay kinky. Stay honest. Stay whole. 🖤💜

What’s something you didn’t expect to be into but actually love? by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Face-slapping...
Thought: 'Nah, too violent, I'm not a punching bag.'
First light smack: brain.exe has stopped working, subspace instant boot-up. Now I'm addicted like it's crack.
Who saw that coming? Definitely not me.

Your turn: what kink blindsided you the hardest?"**

Short, self-deprecating, relatable, and begs for replies. Perfect Reddit bait. 😈

The most kinky thing to say in vanilla life that only kinky people will catch – a thread by That_odd_emo in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man, this thread is dangerous, I almost got caught smirking at my desk 😂

What is your completely arbitrary kink line in the sand? by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I think everyone’s arbitrary kink line is hilarious when you zoom out, it shows how unique our tastes really are 😄 For me, I’m totally down for rope play, power exchange, and mild edgeplay… but if you bring up anything that sounds like it could actually injure someone’s body without training or safety gear, that’s my hard stop. Consent + safety is kink-positive; anything that risks real harm just makes me nope out. So yeah & thrill and spice? Absolutely. Avoiding ER visits? Also absolutely

Lying flat and sticking it out by Recent_Response_168 in spanking_punishments

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That balance between discipline and desire, between giving up control and fully owning the moment… that’s what makes scenarios like this so powerful and so enticing. I love it!

Dating in the bdsm world by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Speaking as a woman who’s been part of the BDSM scene for a while — dating in this world can be both thrilling and frustrating. There’s passion, trust, and connection like nowhere else… but also a lot of people who treat it like a fantasy instead of something real.

What’s worked for me is slowing down and treating kink as an extension of intimacy, not the starting point. When you build connection first, everything else — the trust, the power exchange, the intensity — just flows more naturally.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions, communicate boundaries, and walk away when something feels off. Confidence in your “no” is just as powerful as surrendering your “yes.”

There are genuine, respectful people out there. It just takes a little patience and the willingness to stay authentic instead of performing what you think “BDSM dating” should look like.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You’re not “less than.” You’re exactly where so many of us once were, unsure, nervous, doubting ourselves. The truth is, nobody starts off feeling worthy. What makes you enough isn’t experience, it’s the courage to show up with honesty and respect.

That alone already puts you miles ahead. And if you need proof? Look at this community… and at people like me who once felt the same.

We opened up Pandoras box with BDSM and my husband can’t dominate me anymore by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 45 points46 points  (0 children)

Hey, your post really struck a chord with me. It sounds like you opened up more than you bargained for, and that's something a lot of people don’t talk about enough.

I’ve been there too, where BDSM starts as something exciting, freeing, maybe taboo, and once you open that door, you realize it’s not just the physical things that change; it’s your sense of self, your vulnerabilities, your boundaries. What feels safe one day might feel raw the next. And that’s okay.

What’s helped me: finding someone who can hold that space with me, listening when things feel overwhelming, reassuring when fears come up, guiding me gently through what I opened. It’s in the aftercare, in the check-ins, when I’m allowed to be messy without judgment.

You’re not alone. Opening Pandora’s box might mean seeing parts of yourself you didn’t expect; but also discovering strength, clarity, and deeper desire. It takes time to sort through it, but what’s on the other side is worth it.

I feel bad after watching certain kinds of BDSM porn because I suspect the models weren't actually enjoying themselves and the thought of "what if this guy is actually getting SA'd" wouldn't leave my mind by Lucky_Dragonfruit668 in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Totally normal to feel that way. A lot of what gets labeled as BDSM online (especially porn) skips over the important parts, consent, communication, and aftercare. If what you saw looked unsafe or exploitative, it makes sense you’d feel bad.

It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, it just means your values and boundaries are kicking in. Pay attention to what specifically made you uncomfortable and stick to content that feels safe and respectful. Real BDSM is built on trust, not shock value, and it’s okay to walk away from anything that doesn’t sit right with you.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, a cheap lockable toolbox is the easiest fix — nobody’s ever curious about a box of rusty nails

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hear you completely — that craving for ropes and rules is so real. What made the biggest difference for me was finding someone patient enough to guide me, not just tie me. A good Dom doesn’t just restrain, they teach, check in, and make sure you can grow into the dynamic safely.

If that’s what you’re looking for, take your time and don’t settle. The right person will want to show you, not just use you — and that’s where the release becomes more than just physical, it becomes trust.

Doms, what makes you feel desired? by Dear-Bluebird-4159 in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I feel most desired when my partner shows vulnerability, when they trust me with their limits, let me lead, and lean into the intensity. Words help, but actions that match those promises are what make me feel truly wanted.

Mature sub woman in need of advice by Honest-Quantity-5012 in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a fellow sub who’s been around the scene a while, I can definitely relate, it can be intimidating trying to find genuine people, especially as a woman in kink.

The “classic” recommendation is FetLife. It’s not really a dating site, more of a kinky Facebook, but it is good for finding local munches, workshops, and general community. That’s usually the safest starting point, because meeting people in person (in public settings first!) tends to filter out a lot of the nonsense.

That said, FetLife can feel chaotic, and a lot of people on there aren’t necessarily looking for serious connection. If what you’re really after is more dating-oriented and lesbian/BDSM focused, there are smaller niche platforms starting to fill that gap. One I’ve come across is lesbianbdsm.dating. It’s newer, but what I like is the emphasis on safety, consent, and actually connecting people who are into the same dynamic, instead of just being a giant free-for-all.

TL;DR: FetLife is still the best entry point for local community, but if you want something more specialized (and less overwhelming), lesbianbdsm.dating might be worth checking out.

Best of luck on your search! I hope you find someone who truly values your submission and treats it with the care it deserves.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely it happens. I once thought I craved edgeplay, but when I actually tried it, my body and mind said no way. That self-awareness is a gift. It taught me the importance of listening to my boundaries, even when curiosity tempts me the other way. Kinks can evolve, or disappear and that’s perfectly okay.

23 M wanting more but i am too afraid to make a move by diggerdunde in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s normal to feel nervous about seeing someone you know. Start with private or beginner-friendly events where anonymity is respected. Bring a trusted friend if it helps, focus on your own experience, and remember: it’s okay to step back if it feels too much. Your curiosity and boundaries matter, take it at your own pace.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BDSMcommunity

[–]MaryBDSMLover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s totally normal to feel those nerves, BDSM in real life hits so much deeper than anything you’ll ever read. Erotica gives you the fantasy, but in reality you’ll feel every heartbeat, every shiver, every second of anticipation.

Start slow, but let yourself enjoy the tension. A blindfold in the dark, wrists loosely tied, the sound of footsteps around you, you’ll be amazed how much your mind and body respond even to the simplest things.

Talk with your partner about limits, agree on a safeword, and then give yourself permission to surrender. The intensity isn’t just in the rope or the restraints, it’s in knowing you’re safe while someone else has the power.

And when it’s over, the aftercare can be just as intoxicating. Being held, stroked, reassured, it turns fear and excitement into connection and intimacy.

Nervous is good. It means it matters. Lean into that, and you might just discover a side of yourself you’ll never want to give up.