starymists
Posts: 139
Joined: 2/1/2006 Status: offline
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I think a variety of things have happened to shift the dynamics. One being the few wanna bes wrecking it for those who are seriously pursuing a lifestyle. My own personal experience has been many looking for that service...be it domestic, sexual or what have you, who offer little, if anything in return. Or who want a doormat. For me personally, the service is there, but its going to get earned. And I know a lot of submissives who are far more cautious about getting involved because we've either heard the horror stories or have horror stories of our own. And for me, it never happens until I'm sure I'm safe inside of the relationship. That being said, I find domestic service is one area that I can serve in during the initial stages of a relationship that allows me to get a view of a Dominant safely...one that does I also concur with the availability of the lifestyle. I myself, was screened, spoken with and evaluated long before I was brought 'into' the lifestyle. Then I had a required mentor that worked with me, followed by a required trainer. The first couple of years in the lifestyle was really all about me. Learning protocol and proceedure. Learning about what I wanted and needed. Learning what my limits are. Learning the variety of ways to practice BDSM to provide a Dominant with pleasure long before I was allowed to begin service to a Dominant. I had to try on slavery to know how much I was willing to give up. I had a ton of reading and journaling that I had to do. And in the end, I learned a lot. Sadly, this option isn't as utilized as it used to be. Many coming into the lifestyle end up with a 'protector' who have ulterior motives or a Dominant who learned how to Dom in an online chat room. I think this lack of learning in a safe environment also lends itself to the shifts in the lifestyle. And then there is the variety of terminology. From a lot of newer submissives and Dominants that I have spoken with, terms can mean anything. Many claiming to be looking for slavery have no idea what that really entails in day to day life. They read a book, saw something online and have discovered that they have needs, but have no real life experience and have no one to talk to about their developing feelings. And that goes for both Dominants and submissives. One of my first questions is always how long have you been at this in real life? Not because its a limit, but because I want to know what I'm dealing with. And often times, when I'm mentoring, I suggest a reading list which gets ignored in the search to have a partner as soon as possible. The level of submission that inspires Dominance comes with time, patience and working on one's self, just as the Dominance that inspires submission comes from the same thing. It also somewhat requires a network of people that you can turn to with questions, comments, or just for insight when we aren't sure what's going on. I know my mentors have been invaluable in my development as a submissive. And that level of commitment to one's self as a submissive is still there. You just really have to work hard to find it.
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