Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

question


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Ask a Submissive >> question Page: [1] 2   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
question - 12/24/2004 11:37:26 AM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline

First, Happy Holidays.....:)))

Wondering what your thoughts are about a person that was abused in the past...whether or not they should pursue a path of submissiveness/slave?? How does it fit with healing from abuse and being your own indvidual? I realize we as individuals are the only ones to make this choice but I guess I am wondering if it is healthy?? My experience of D/S lifestyle comes from the past...and a lot of it wasn't that great. I also have had vanilla relationships....and some of them were not all that great either :))
Any thoughts are welcome......as I try to find or continue on my path....

nurruu
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: question - 12/24/2004 11:53:41 AM   
sub4hire


Posts: 6775
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline
Just in my own opinion here. If a person has been abused in the past. They know it was abuse. They know the warning signs. Have had the adequate therapy to cope. Then why not?

I think it is only an issue when you have no idea you are being abused and the cycle is never ending.

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: question - 12/24/2004 1:31:25 PM   
alwayzron


Posts: 234
Joined: 9/23/2004
Status: offline
quote:

How does it fit with healing from abuse and being your own indvidual?

nu ... great question ...

Often, we put ourselves into positions as a means of dealing with unfinished business from the past. Our brains are wired to make sense out of things in our lives. This is why, if shown part of a puzzle or drawing, we're able to determine what the rest of it looks like.

If someone has been abused in the past, they may be drawn back into that 'situation' as a means of letting their minds work out the missing pieces of the puzzle. The real answer lies within ... how do you feel about the situation? Good luck.

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: question - 12/24/2004 5:58:50 PM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline
Thanks for the replies......not sure how I feel about things at the moment.

(in reply to alwayzron)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: question - 12/24/2004 10:21:02 PM   
lilldarlin


Posts: 9
Joined: 12/22/2004
Status: offline
This is a important thing to conside if you have been abused in the past. This abuse does not have to just have been physcial abuse but should also incluse verbal and mental abuse. The possibility of repeating making the same bad choice in a future partner is very good unless you get counseling to learn how to make better choices.

An abuse person needs to learn the difference between being abused and loved. To me what I decided is that if what went on between my Dom and myself left me feeling good physically and mentally it was ok. If I did not feel good how did I feel? Just uncomfortable or bad....physically or mentally......shame? pride? dumb? ugly or beautiful??? Sexy?

All these things need to be looked at. We should have good feelings about any relationship. Be willing to discuss your feelings with your Master/Dom. If THEY wont sit down and seriously discuss how you feel about what is going on between you then that is a sure sign to not stay in that relationship. We need a partner that we can be completely open with in ALL ways. Someone that cares enough about our mental health they want to work with us to help us be all we can be.

Be sure and be open about having been abused and needing time to learn to trust your partner. Trust must be earned AND that is done by experience and time. Go slowly and enjoy yourself.

It takes a strong person to be a submissive. I beleive it was my submissive nature that let me to look for strong men. I just had to learn the difference between a real Dom and a just plain mean, controlling, compulsive, abusive person.

I hope this makes sense.....I am a bit tired but cannot seem to sleep so I am prowling the forums............


_____________________________

"Most welcome, bondage, for thou art a way, I think, to liberty." Shakespeare

Sexual kink is a variation that some have used to break down the walls inside themselves and truly connect with their partner.

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: question - 12/24/2004 11:44:33 PM   
phoenix52


Posts: 179
Joined: 12/9/2004
Status: offline
This is a great question, and one i have pondered on in the past. It really does seem to me that a large number of subs have been abused, either as adults or as kids. Or is it just that we are more willing to talk about it than vanilla people? Who knows...

My Master is aware that i have lingering "issues" from my childhood and He treads carefully around those, as far as asking my permission before doing certain activities he knows may trigger me (mostly saying certain things to me). Nothing like that has ever happened, but He respects that there is damage he needs to keep in mind.

i used to sit around and wonder if this was "why" i needed to submit, if i was just trying to continue things that happened years ago, if i had guilt i was trying to work out, or what. But my Master has a really great outlook on it, one i have come to adopt: it feels good. It makes me feel whole on a spiritual level. So why deny myself that, or question it? i just try to enjoy what i have now.

Just my opinion...
shannon

(in reply to lilldarlin)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: question - 12/25/2004 6:50:25 AM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline

Thanks for your responses.....what wonderful detail and you have given me a lot to think about. I guess I am trying to figure out what makes me feel good and what doesn't....and what is more damaging to me and what isn't.....it is difficult to sort through....

:)

nurruu

(in reply to phoenix52)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: question - 12/25/2004 6:57:19 AM   
liljoy


Posts: 577
Joined: 3/25/2004
Status: offline
nurruu
another thing to think about is that you may have triggers that bring back bad memories. you should also let your Dom know about any known triggers and any more that crop upas soon as they crop up.
i had my triggers that would put me instantly into fight or flight mode. Thank fully we have worked through those and Master is aware that there may be others unknown to me at this time. we will face those as we faced the others.
i know i'm not alone in this because i saw it happen to a girl at a play party. she had stepped into the kitchen without her Dom and saw marks from a single tail on another that was proudly showing them off. she maintained just long enough for the proud sub to move away and then turned into a quivering, crying mess. i affered her a hug as someone else went to get her Dom. i held her until the Dom returned.
the important thing to rememer is that we all have things we don't react as well to. There is no shame in it and we all understand that reactions can happen. If you are at a play party and have an unexpected reaction and are unable to get to your Dom. Please Please don't be afraid to ask for help. We BDSMers are a kinky bunch but most of us have our hearts in the right place and will do what we can to ease those feeling.
Gosh didn't mean to write a book here. i Hope it helped some

(in reply to phoenix52)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: question - 12/25/2004 6:59:30 AM   
slavedesires


Posts: 669
Joined: 3/2/2004
Status: offline


< Message edited by slavedesires -- 12/26/2004 12:45:45 PM >


_____________________________

i speak only my personal opinion, sometimes O/ours.

"i am the keeper of fragile things and i have kept what is indisolvable."
....the greatest gift.....vulnerability

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:02:24 AM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline
Hi Liljoy,

Thank you.....yes....I tend to get triggered a lot. Trying to figure out if my submissiveness is just another trigger.....if that makes sense?? That submitting is a choice.....??? right?? :)) Even if I don't feel it is a choice at times....I hope that makes sense...I am a bit anxious :)

nurruu

(in reply to liljoy)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:03:42 AM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline
Thanks Shy :)))

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:12:57 AM   
slavedesires


Posts: 669
Joined: 3/2/2004
Status: offline


< Message edited by slavedesires -- 12/26/2004 12:46:49 PM >


_____________________________

i speak only my personal opinion, sometimes O/ours.

"i am the keeper of fragile things and i have kept what is indisolvable."
....the greatest gift.....vulnerability

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:25:02 AM   
liljoy


Posts: 577
Joined: 3/25/2004
Status: offline
hmm a choice?? good question!!! my humble opinion is that it is not a choice anymore than being herto or gay is a choice. i'm unsure if we are born this way or learn to be this way. To me it really doesn't matter so i won't go there. Honestly my whole life i have been trying to please someone. Most of the time without success.
i do understand what you are going through though. i grew up with an abusive father that hated himself and i was so much like him he also hated me. No he never said that in words but the actions spoke it clearly. i had other traumas and bad relationships that gave me many reasons not to put myself in the position of being submissie. The ONLY reason i am in the position of being submissive is because submissive is what i am to the core. There were times i didn't trust my judgment enough and tried to leave the lifestyle. i found i couldn't. you my friend have also made some bad choices. the trick is to learn from them and learn what made you make those choices. Then and only then can you learn to make better choices and learn to trust yourself again. After you've learned to trust yourself again then you will be able to work on trusting Another. It takes a HUGE amount of strength to be a submissive. i don't know about you but i know the life i've had has given me little choice but to be strong or to break. i've been close to breaking but i am still here and stronger than ever and you i think are in the same boat. Am i right?
i am not quailified as a counsoler but i will do what i can to help. If you wish to countinue this off list. Feel free to contact me
quote:

ORIGINAL: nurruu

Hi Liljoy,

Thank you.....yes....I tend to get triggered a lot. Trying to figure out if my submissiveness is just another trigger.....if that makes sense?? That submitting is a choice.....??? right?? :)) Even if I don't feel it is a choice at times....I hope that makes sense...I am a bit anxious :)

nurruu


(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:36:20 AM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline
Thanks LilJoy....

This brings up another question for anyone that would like to answer....I know that I am submissive....or even slave. I was made that way and it is my core. But...I guess...my question is that doesn't mean that I have no choices?? I am still a woman who can heal from her past and live life to the fullest?? etc?? I have read a lot about innerstrength etc...but then I feel confused about freedom of choice......

Liljoy is correct......i have been close to breaking as well....but i am still here...:)

nurruu

(in reply to liljoy)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:43:03 AM   
misschevious


Posts: 5
Joined: 12/23/2004
Status: offline
Merry Christmas one and all,

This is actually a thread that I would be very interested in following.

I am new to the boards and new to the lifestyle (8 months). Nurruu I would like to share my story with you, hopefully you’ll find something of value in it. As a child I was abused emotionally, sexually and severely physically. In my mid 20’s I sought out a psychologist and underwent intensive therapy for many years. This included many groups and various types of therapy. One of the most important first lessons for me was not to accept unacceptable behaviour. I too have had not so good vanilla relationships.

During this time I grew from someone who was outwardly aggressive, ambitious with a confident bravado (while inwardly I was afraid of world) to being comfortable and confident in my own skin. I regained the ability to feel both physically and emotionally. (that part of the journey really sucked but the rewards were worth it). I also learned not to take the world or myself so seriously and to find balance in things that I do.

My life cruised along in a happy, fulfilling way though I knew in my heart that I still had some walls up (not as many) to protect myself. (I was still quite shy sexually.) My life circumstances changed and I ended up sharing an apartment with a man who was a good friend whom I known for about 3 years. I have always respected him and his integrity. We shared the apartment (flat-mates) for about a year before we became involved. He has been involved in the bdsm lifestyle for over ten years. I had no idea that it even existed. (He playfully jokes about my librarian style, past (sex) life.)

This man was my match (in the past I had settled when it came to my love life), he challenges me intellectually, we have the same moral compass and similar sense of humour. As new lovers we did the discussion of fantasies etc. (This was very hard for me as I have never been very forthcoming in sexual discussions) Our play started in a very mainstream way, silk scarves etc. This was my fantasy but I had never met anyone that I felt safe enough to try it with.

When he broached the subject of bdsm, he was as always clear with his communication also demanding the same of me. I had explained to him my history and he was very clear that because he loves me he didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardise our relationship and that I must express myself, feelings and emotions, likes and dislikes with him. His theory is that everyone must be having fun otherwise no one is having fun.

He discussed the safe, sane and consensual, explained that the aspects bdsm were many and varied and that there is no right way only that which works for you and hence the couple. As his experience level was far greater than mine he has plenty of resource material but he asked me to explore the net, read books ask questions etc so that I could discover what I like for myself.

One of the questions that I played devils advocate with in my head is: why would I put myself in a position where the potential for abuse is so great when I spent so much time and money learning not to do that.

We have tried and still are trying many different things, including me topping, some of them I loved, some of them I liked and some of them I didn’t. e.g. one of his proclivities is spanking. I was really uncomfortable about it but I wanted to try it. We discussed and negotiated the scene prior to starting. He asked many questions and we formulated a plan that I thought I would be comfortable with, again, my ideas. During the event something happened in my head and I wasn’t ok with it. Part of me wanted to continue to please him as he has been so great, giving me wonderful experiences and I didn’t want to disappoint him. (this thought all in my head) But the feeling was so strong and so unlike anything of the other feelings I’d experienced that I just had to say something. I asked him to stop for a second and while I felt ashamed for not coping he held me, soothed me and told me that he was so proud of me for telling him that I wasn’t ok, that I should ALWAYS, ALWAYS tell him what is going on for me. That the only way that he would be disappointed is if we did something that freaked me out and I hadn’t told him about it.

The answer to my question was: I had already learned the difference between abuse and love (and my sexual fantasies). I am not with a man that wishes to abuse or manipulate me. I am with a man that wants accompany and enjoy my journey of sexual discovery, love, life and self.

I have now come to my own understanding that I am naturally submissive, particularly to him, though I look forward to further exploration of the switch thrill I experience ;) I acknowledge (without bravado) that when I surrender it is a great gift and is only possible for me to give to someone I trust unreservedly: Which, to me, can only mean that I have not put myself in a place of abuse but one of safety, love and expansion.

Now I want to be clear in relation to your question, this is my experience and I spent many years healing prior to embarking upon this exploration. I spent a lot of time getting to know him before we ventured into a sexual relationship. I also feel confident that the work I did on myself prevented me from becoming involved with an abusive man. I am also aware that though it has been one of my greatest challenges, communication is key. (to benefit from this adventure you really have to lay your self bare in a safe environment) I feel very fortunate to have encountered a Dominant personality who through his experience is keenly observant of my moods and behaviour throughout play and the daily grind, who listens and is supportive and (thank goodness) is patient while I come to ever a deeper understanding of myself, my reactions and my sexuality. Having said all that, I now feel more whole as a person, I am able to give of myself in so many others aspect of my life (not hiding behind the last of my protective walls) and proudly embrace my sexuality in a way that I could never have done before.

Although this post is far more verbose than I had hoped, my wish is that you'll find something that resonates within you.

Best of luck on your own path

missCheviousgirl

(in reply to phoenix52)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:53:24 AM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline

Thank you for the wonderful response.....thank you for sharing. I, similar to you, have spent time in therapy and learned...lol...a lot !! I successfully healed from a lot of my past trauma.....but not sexually. I am ready to learn about this side of me but it is certainly bringing up issues....old issues that are confusing. I think I need to remember that I am an adult not the powerless victim from long ago. I want to learn more about the part of myself so i can become whole and hopefully become more healed. this is certainly hard work!! Sometimes....want to run though and hide this part :)

nurruu

(in reply to misschevious)
Profile   Post #: 16
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:56:25 AM   
liljoy


Posts: 577
Joined: 3/25/2004
Status: offline
sure hun. you can choose to try nilla again. my guess is that you'll not find it fullfilling and will return as i have. As a submissive you have choices as a slave my understanding is that you will still choose Whom to serve. If i'm wrong on this anyone feel free to correct me.
If you choose to remain in this lifestyle and choose to serve another that doesn't mean that your life ends. Many of use feel that we didn't start living life to the fullest until after we accepted what we are and that being able to Serve Another only makes us feel even more free in who and what we are. i'm sure that is totally confusing to you right now lol. we'll talk later
hugs

lil_joy_

quote:

ORIGINAL: nurruu

Thanks LilJoy....

This brings up another question for anyone that would like to answer....I know that I am submissive....or even slave. I was made that way and it is my core. But...I guess...my question is that doesn't mean that I have no choices?? I am still a woman who can heal from her past and live life to the fullest?? etc?? I have read a lot about innerstrength etc...but then I feel confused about freedom of choice......

Liljoy is correct......i have been close to breaking as well....but i am still here...:)

nurruu


(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: question - 12/25/2004 7:59:02 AM   
slavedesires


Posts: 669
Joined: 3/2/2004
Status: offline


< Message edited by slavedesires -- 12/26/2004 12:47:58 PM >


_____________________________

i speak only my personal opinion, sometimes O/ours.

"i am the keeper of fragile things and i have kept what is indisolvable."
....the greatest gift.....vulnerability

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 18
RE: question - 12/25/2004 8:20:55 AM   
nurruu


Posts: 15
Joined: 12/14/2004
Status: offline

liljoy......LOL you did confuse me a bit :))

I think what happens is I get triggered by the past when exploring this area and then I feel I have no choices.....and forget to self-nurture etc....

nurruu

(in reply to slavedesires)
Profile   Post #: 19
RE: question - 12/25/2004 8:21:33 AM   
misschevious


Posts: 5
Joined: 12/23/2004
Status: offline
hehehe

I can certainly relate to that, the amount of times that I have wanted to run and hide instead of discussing has been ridiculous, but with time and as I said lots of patience, I am able to embrace these aspect of myself that I would not have otherwise acknowledge.

I was also struggling with how to cope with pain as I'm sure you can relate, prior to therapy my tolerance for pain was extraordinary. (Once I got in touch with my body and self and began living in my body, tolerance levels shot through the floor.) So when it came to a simple spanking with someone I loved and wanted to share an experience he enjoyed, I couldn't cope. Funnily enough though, we played a whipping scene with soft ropes and I was in ecstasy, go figure, spanking; triggers, whipping; fantasy meets reality.

One of the other things that I have had a struggle with is admitting to myself other aspects of play that I enjoy versus the shame guilt social conditioning etc. (anal as an example) I was adamant that it was something that I would never do, but being willing to try new experiences I really enjoyed the feeling of being full and took along time to admit even to myself that I really liked it, let alone have the courage to tell my partner.

Something that works for me is I try it, if I like it great we do it again, if I'm not sure I'm willing to try it again, if I hate it then its done.

Thank you for posting such a great topic. It is obviously something that has struck a chord for me and it is the first time I have ever posted to any topics I've read.

I would like to thank everyone else who has responded as reading these boards also makes me realise I dont have seven heads

missCheviousgirl

(in reply to nurruu)
Profile   Post #: 20
Page:   [1] 2   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Ask a Submissive >> question Page: [1] 2   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.095