371. So long to SEX?: Submissive Wife

My “free reign” over my O, mentioned in my previous post, ended December 8. Six full days of diddling to completion. . . assuming my chores were done, and I can’t think of any better motivation to complete them as quick as possible!

I wanted to test myself to see how long I could go without an orgasm. The first time I touched myself the arousal meter skyrocketed. I immediately say, “F-that!” to any thoughts of not getting to O – and O I did!! Between masturbation and sex with Mike and/or Kayla, I averaged four O’s a day during those six days. Impressive by my standards!

Mike then informed me my “free reign” was over. That means back to our Orgasm Control (OC) and Abstinence and Edging (A&E) routine. No sex without permission, including masturbation, and no O without permission. For now Mike has prescribed edging three times a day. He sometimes changes this up without notice, so tomorrow it could be complete abstinence, and he will throw in an orgasm here or there. That’s part of the, dare I say, “fun.” Not knowing what tomorrow holds regarding my sexual release.

I shared more about the impact OC & A&E have on me in 352. JuNO: The Big “No.” I won’t repeat myself, but suffice to say after getting to ZERO during NOvember, my DSAS (Default Sexual Arousal State) sits at about a 2 on a scale of 1-10. Once again I can say that when I am not horny, I am still a little horny.

PROLONGED ABSTINENCE?

Mike threw this bomb out there. “Jen, what do you think if I put you on extended abstinence, like three months or more?”

My first reaction was that perhaps he was just kidding, or just curious how I would react.

Rule-check regarding answering questions from Mike. I am required to give direct answers and not answer with a question and most definitely never answer with a “Whatever you want.” “Whatever you want” is a given in our relationship. When he asks me a question it is because he expects an answer. One caveat is that AFTER I have answered, I can ask a question if it is intended to help me better understand the question.

My answer — “My initial reaction is I would not like it. I am always willing to try things, sometimes just for the sake of exploring, and sometimes because we believe there will be some direct benefit. In this case, I am open to exploring it. Again, I don’t think I will like it, but I didn’t think I would like NOvember either, and it was a great experience, so much so that I don’t dread the next one. Three months sounds daunting, but I am intrigued and curious how, and IF, I could handle i.”

He said, “Okay, I am not saying we will do that. At this point I was just curious about your thoughts.”

And that was that.

I shared this with a fellow submissive that emails me on occasion. While also submissive, she was concerned for me (hey, not all submissives are alike). “Does that mean he isn’t interested in having sex with you?” “Sure, he gets to have all the sex he wants with Kayla or others, so he’s satisfied.” “Are you just some robot slave that doesn’t need to be sexually stimulated?” And there was more, and I am sure many of you can think of other things that should cause me to be concerned.

Honestly, NONE of those things concern me. If he did impose extended abstinence or denial, then so be it. If that is what he wants, by default, it is what I want. I trust that he is doing it because it fulfills him and thus, it fulfills me. Things that express his control and dominance automatically have a benefit to me. That’s just how my mind works. And while I wouldn’t choose extended abstinence, if he choose it for me, I accept.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have a preference. My preference is to have sex when I want and orgasm when I want. While we are at it, I also prefer to be lazy sometimes (more often than not). I would prefer forgetting about household chores, doing nothing, and indulging myself.

But that’s the path to the pre-DD Jenny. My biggest preference of all, that supersedes my self-indulgent preferences, is a preference to submit to my husband. Not out of some sense of duty or obligation, but because that is where I get the greatest fulfillment. So in an only-in-a-submissive-mind kind of way, not being self-centered is being self-centered. My mind, my heart, and my soul, are fulfilled when I submit to my husband. I am a submissive wife!

There are parts of NOvember that I miss. I haven’t felt the same about orgasms since then. Don’t get me wrong. I like them, they feel great, and I wouldn’t object to more of them. But, I think a year of OC and the full month of abstinence has re-wired my brain. I don’t think of my personal sexual climax about being mine. My orgasms are his, for him, from him, and about him. It now seems a bit selfish to orgasm just for me. And the longer he makes me wait to give him my orgasm, the better it feels when he does.

And, while it’s strange and still foreign to me, I admit, there is joy even in the waiting. Joy in waiting, and joy in cumming. And the greater the former, the more amazing the latter.

Geesh! I’ve gone full-on submissive! Okay, so I am slow. I am sure most of you are like, “Jen, you’ve been full-on submissive since day one.” But for me, this is big. It’s something I never even knew existed within D/s, and never would imagine I would try, let alone enjoy.

It’s a bit humorous to me. The pre-DD Jenny couldn’t relate in any way, shape or form. Not to DD, not to D/s, and definitely not to Orgasm Control. But then again, pre-DD Jenny was more unsettled, anxious, irritable, and stressed.

Even after 5+ years, I continue to revel in my evolution during my DD journey! What will I learn over the next five years that can bring me joy in ways I’ve never imagined?

NEXT: 372. Kayla Shufflebottom

367. No-vember: Orgasm Control

I should give you an update as to the conclusion of Chelsea’s stay with us and where things stand between her and her husband. Perhaps another post. I am overdo for sharing a kink-related story. . . as if the whole Chelsea thing is just normal vanilla stuff! lol. Anyway, I thought it was time to write about something fun and even a bit silly, ORGASM CONTROL.

Mike decided I would be subject to NO-vember. As in no orgasms all month. In fact, perhaps even no sex at all! But before I elaborate, let’s get on the same page regarding Orgasm Control.

I’ve shared that late last year I agreed to give control over my orgasms to Mike. That is, I can only cum when he has given me permission. As part of that, I can not even masturbate without explicit permission. I also shared that back in June, both me and Kayla were subject to Juno.

BACKGROUND

Mike was the one that came to me with the idea and, always willing to consider anything that gives Mike more control and influence over me, I was game. It all seemed a lot like a game to me. It’s such a silly thing for a couple to do, even in the context of our less-than-vanilla lifestyle. Or so I thought! I’ve learned it’s serious stuff!

Serious in that it has had profound consequences – positive consequences. It has had a far greater impact than I thought it would. It may be silly, but it’s also serious in a uniquely kinky way!

Orgasm Control isn’t just about abstinence. In fact, it’s less about abstinence and more about simply not being allowed to orgasm during sex. There’s a lot of “edging” that goes on. Here’s a link for the uninitiated. Also, here’s another great article on Kinkly.

The folklore is that edging turns a woman into a constantly dripping brain-dead sex-crazed goon who is ready, willing, and able to perform any sexual act on command. I learned that this folklore is actually fairly accurate. Of course, with me, Mike was starting with someone that isn’t far removed from already being that caricature.

I’ve shared before that Domestic Discipline has given me a heightened sexual feeling 24×7. On a sexual desire scale of 1 to 10, I feel I my “baseline” state is a 2. For context, think of it as being in a constant state where I am 20% of the way to an orgasm. I believe it is because I am so happy and fulfilled and my mindset of constant submission stimulates me sexually even though I may not be thinking sexual thoughts. Submission is just sexy to me! Orgasm Control (OC) added to that baseline. . . yep, “dripping sex crazed goon” is not too far off.

I must ask permission to masturbate or for any sex I have, as well as ask permission to have an orgasm. He may also tell me to edge at any time. Since adopting OC, it reduced how often I masturbate to climax. And maybe about a third of the time I am not allowed to cum during sex. So I’ve gone from daily-cummer to maybe twice a week on average, three or four in a good week.

This increased my “baseline” sexual desire to at least a 3.3 or maybe even a 4. That may not sound like much, but think of it as being 33% of your way to an orgasm — as your default state throughout the day. OC can be summed up like this:

Even when I’m not horny, I’m still a little horny.

When Mike tells me to edge it doesn’t take me long to go from 33% to 99%. And then I have to stop. No orgasm. The more days I am only allowed to edge, the more my baseline increases, until, indeed, as foretold by the kink prophecies, I am desperate to have an orgasmic release.

And when finally allowed to cum, it’s almost never just an “Okay you can cum.” It’s an edge, then a stop. Another edge, then a stop. Another, and maybe another. And then finally, usually with me begging to be allowed to cum, he allows it. Typically, I am not a very vocal cummer. But the best way I can describe orgasms after extended OC is this:

I beg him with my words, my eyes, my body.
I scream my desire, squealing phrases
that will make me flush in shame
when I recall them tomorrow.

These are by far the strongest most earth shattering orgasms I’ve every had. It makes OC worth it!

And as a bonus, it just tickles my submissive spot to know that I can only orgasm if Mike allows it. I often have to ask permission to do so. The act of asking, sometimes begging, for it has its own impact. It tickles my submissive spot even more, and at a time I can’t stand much more “tickling.”

NOvember

Like Juno (June-no), NOvember is another month one can dedicate to OC. While I live 24×7 with OC, (ha, sounds like the beginning of a pharmaceutical commercial), these “special” months are designated for more intense and focused OC.

Mike decided that he didn’t want me and Kayla to both be subject to his NOvember. He announced that Juno will be for Kayla, and NOvember will be for me. So, yea me!

Further, while our first Juno had a lot of edging and sex with no orgasm, Mike said he would make these “events” to be more about overall abstinence with some of the edging thrown it. But no cumming, so yep, November will be an orgasm free month for me, unless I mess up.

Oh – speaking of messing up. What happens if I let an O slip in? For one, I am expected to handle a UO by making it a UFO. That’s our-speak for Unauthorized Orgasm and Unauthorized Failed Orgasm. A failed orgasm, better known as a “ruined orgasm” is one where I am expected to NOT enjoy the moment. I do my best to distract or disrupt what’s going on down there and everywhere else in my body. Basically, try and make it as weak of an O as possible. In addition to UFO, I would also be subject to disciplinary action and perhaps a prolonged period of abstinence.

Have I ever slipped and released a UO! Yes, once!
What is a typical day in NOvember been like? Perverted minds want to know.

Next post, maybe?

NEXT: 368. Passive-Aggressive vs Aggressive-Aggressive: Chelsea Update

364. Part II – Why I AM A SUBMISSIVE WIFE

Picking up where I left off on the prior post. . .

I have come to realize that as a child I had a feelings of guilt, anger, and rejection. Those feelings were also surrounded with plenty of warm and loving feelings, as shared in my Backstory. The negative feelings were not all-consuming. But, as stated in my prior post, there were many “mundane” experiences that embedded some of those negative feelings into my pysche.

I won’t share them all. They were nothing overtly traumatic. Something as an adult you’d say, “And why did that bother you?” But to the mind of the seven year old that experienced it, the answer seems obvious. Exactly the sentiment expressed in my Childhood is Wasted on Children post.

FOR EXAMPLE

I was keenly aware that I was my dad’s “favorite.” You can read more in my About page. In many ways this was a positive, but as an adult I started to reflect and recognize it also had some negatives. I felt guilty my siblings didn’t get to experience the best of my dad. Why me? Why should I be the lucky one? I felt I hadn’t done anything to deserve what my siblings missed out on. I think my people pleasing was a manifestation of trying to show I deserved the love and attention I got. In my mind, I had to do something, – anything – to earn what was so freely given to me.

Parenting can be such a sucky thing! I mean, you’d think showing unconditional love and support to a child would be uber-nurturing and self-affirming for that child. Nope! Even that, through the reasoning skills of a child, can be warped into a guilt-inducing thing.

Another example – there were a couple of occasions where my dad didn’t allow me to do some things with my siblings and cousins, who were all older than me. Those events really stuck with me as I interpreted it as there being something wrong with me such that he felt I didn’t deserve to do whatever fun thing the older kids were doing. Odd that I don’t have any specific memories of my mom doing the exact same thing, although I know she did so countless times. But it was my dad’s “rejection” that stuck with me so much that I can recall all the specific situations where this occurred.

As I said in my prior post, these experiences don’t have to be overtly traumatic. I was never abused and all these “negative” experiences were wrapped in a lot of loving experiences. They were mundane things that the mind of a child had to interpret and rationalize. At the time, being the much younger one of the group didn’t mean my parents made sure I had age appropriate experiences and that my siblings and cousins didn’t have to always worry about me tagging along. No, it meant there was something wrong with me and something missing from their love for me.

HOW I “FIXED” IT AS A CHILD

I realize now that the way I “fixed” this as a child was to conform and make as little fuss as possible in hopes that would both show that I deserved the tremendous love I got as well as “buy” the missing pieces of love I felt from being “rejected.” I became a people-pleaser and abandoned my own needs, so much so, my own needs became that need to please. That isn’t necessarily a bad trait, but it was pleasure based on what I thought would please people, not what necessarily actually pleased them.

Conflicting with the need to please was my mom’s enduring mantra, “Love life, every moment, every day.” And that if I wasn’t loving life, it was up to me to change it. Not a man, not a drug, not anyone but me.

I found that trying to please others was hard because I didn’t know what pleased them. I hit upon the idea that I had to first be happy, as you can’t make anyone happy if you’re not happy. Truth that!! But I went about it the wrong away because I rooted my happiness in what I THOUGHT made others happy. I became highly invested in that mindset such that I would get offended if my motives weren’t respected and applauded.

As I look back at my life pre-DD, I realize I was living much of my life as an impartial observer.  I was in a constant rush to achieve my goals, pursue my dreams, and I was suffering from not having a free moment to myself.  I was overburdened and lived in constant stress.  What was important to me was truly unimportant in the scheme of things.  I thought I was living life, every moment, every day, but it was fake.  It was a hypnotic dream. (See Post 30. I Found my Thrill where I elaborated on this concept).

I now understand how the habits I cultivated as a child, set me up for failure as an adult. It’s one thing to put others needs before your own when fully motivated by the act of doing so with no expectation of getting something directly in return. But doing so because you think it will “buy” you love, adoration, appreciation, and respect? You’re in for a big disappointment. It will backfire as you will eventually feel unappreciated, burned out, angry, and resentful.   

HOW I “FIXED” IT AS AN ADULT

How on earth did I figure submitting to my husband and a lifestyle of Domestic Discipline was the answer?

It’s hard to explain, but in looking back, I don’t think submission was the direct answer to my problems.

The answer to my problems was to accept my lack of control over how others, especially my husband, chose to treat me.  Further, if someone was being unloving to me, I no longer had the need or desire to “earn” their love.  I needed to accept what it means to take care of myself and accept that I have no control over how another person chooses to be.  

Accepting that I can’t control other’s feelings or behavior has freed me to take loving care of myself.   And I do that by behaving the way I want to behave, by truly making myself happy so that I can then be in a mindset that is capable of bringing joy to others. THAT was my answer. It just so happens that they way I wanted to behave and the way I truly make myself happy falls under the definition of a submissive wife.

I know that sounds like a giant leap, but going all the way back to my Third Post, I believe THAT is why the idea of submission resonated with me as I shared in that post. It was always within me, I just didn’t know it. For whatever reason, be it those childhood experiences or mid-life crisis, or whatever — submitting to my husband fulfills me and has made my marriage indestructible and fulfilling beyond anything I could have imagined or can even fully articulate. But maybe 364 posts have begun to scratch the surface!

By the way, all this self-reflection was triggered by Chelsea. I’ll provide an update and conclusion of sorts on her stay with us. Her stay prompted me to think about where my need to submit comes from. I still may not have fully answered it, and maybe won’t ever do so. But you now have some of the pieces that I think make up at least part of the answer.

Next: 365. One More Reflection and Then Let’s Move On

356. THOSE WHO I HAVE INVITED INTO MY LIFE

It’s been awhile since I reflected on my submission. My submission has been on auto-pilot for at least a year, if not longer. Effortless. Routine. A reflex that is a part of me and my every day life. I believe that has contributed to my posting malaise.

At first, I wasn’t going to bother to blog about what I shared in Post 354. So much so that I had made a post (Post 353) that occurred after that first incident and I made no mention of the punishment. I was that bla​sé about it. It wasn’t until the second incident chronicled in my prior post that I felt like sharing any of it.

I was at a point where I was overly self-conscious about my DD. I stated this before. It was like I needed to isolate it and protect it by not sharing something that I know some people find abhorrent. Funny thing is I didn’t feel that way about any other aspect of my lifestyle. The free-wheeling sex and stuff, no problem! But my husband spanking my hiney… well, that’s just too much!

Then I published #353. I felt a rush. A sensation I hadn’t felt from blogging in a long time. And I realized it really excites me to share those stories. I immediately recognized that feeling as a feeling I get anytime I feel exposed. AND I LOVE THAT FEELING.

It very much relates to my exhibitionist thrill. I’ve shared this thrill in several posts, but simply, I love the uncomfortable feeling of putting something out there for people to see and judge. It goes back to… well, come on now, if you are a long time reader you know what I am going to say. No ramble from Jen is complete without it. . . It goes back to vulnerability!

I love feeling vulnerable. Of the many posts on that topic, I like my first one the best. Short and to the point, unlike most of my posts). Sharing what I view as the most-generally-understood-to–be-socially- unacceptable aspects of my life is very vulnerable inducing! Thus as soon as I hit “Publish” I got this hit of dopamine or whatever “feel good” endorphins the body creates. Me like!

And it has lit a flame in my belly that I haven’t felt in some time regarding blogging. I don’t know how long it will last, but it’s time to open the kimono more frequently and share what’s going on in my life. Even if no one reads it, just putting it out there feels exhilarating again.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SPANKING?
I don’t have any issues with how I was disciplined. I felt it was 100% deserved and appropriate. I anticipated worse, physically speaking. Emotionally? Well, maybe I got more than I expected, but I still believe Mike was spot on.

It is easy to question whether the discipline is effective. After all, it recurred in a matter of weeks and there have been multiple recurrences in the past. Since when is discipline ever a one-time cure-all? It isn’t, even in DD.

Having consequences for my actions, consequences that my husband has to deliver, is at the core of my submission and at the core of what has made me be the wife, mother, lover, friend, daughter, sister, and person I want to be. And while I hate to make such a bold prediction, I am highly confident that this particular issue will not recur. It’s in the vault!

IS SPANKING OVERRATED?
One area of reflection regarding this last incident is whether spanking is as effective as it once was, or if the non-spanking discipline is more effective? Difficult for me to judge. I think it varies which is why varying or mixing the type of discipline I receive works best for me. However, I leave that up to Mike as that is his responsibility. We still have regularly weekly Maintenance to stay calibrated, but it is ultimately his role to determine what is best – and over five years of doing this I don’t take exception to ANYTHING he has ever prescribed.

MY JOURNEY
Another area to reflect on is simply my journey. I love having this blog to go back to and I re-read my first dozen or so posts every so often. They still ring as true for me today as they did then. And for those newer readers of my blog who seemed a bit surprised that I am subject to the kind of discipline I shared in the last two posts — I encourage you to read those posts as well. I think they answer a lot of questions as to “Why?” My shortcuts can quickly get you to Post #1

FINAL THOUGHTS
This gets a bit esoteric, but I am keenly aware that full awareness is never possible (or maybe it is, but you’ll never be aware of it, thus the psychological conundrum regarding “awareness”) .

Point is, my perceptions about my own life and about my DD may never fully reflect “reality.” Sensations, thoughts, memories, images, desires, and emotions are constantly changing and superseding each other. Therefore, in times of self reflection I try to not just think through how it is I interpret my life and actions. It’s important for me also do a different type of self reflection. . . seeing myself through others.

It is through seeing myself through others that I believe I get a more accurate assessment of my life. By the way, others do not include faceless online trolls or even friendly blog followers. Those are all curious “outside” references, but should never define us. No, “others” are simply the people I have invited into my life. Mike and Kayla of course, but also my kids, extended family that I frequently interact with, our Circle of Trust, and friends. This even includes some online friendships.

I like that phrase…”those who I have invited into my life.” Much better than “family and friends.” It is the best way to think about the people you surround yourself with. It reminds you that YOU invite them into your life. Just as you may push others away (hopefully the toxic ones), you invite these people to stay (hopefully the health ones). THEY often can define you better than you can define yourself.

Based on their perspectives, I am as happy, healthy, confident, secure, and fulfilled as I perceive myself to be! It feels to me that there is nothing in existence that can EVER mount a meaningful challenge to that perception.

Until. . .

P.S. Hey English police, is it “those who I have invited into my life” or “those whom I have invited into my life?” I think I got it right re “who” versus “whom” but I could be wrong. Feel free to school me!

346. Immersion in the Year 2020 P.C. – Swapfest

Since I haven’t been posting regularly I plan on continuing doing an update on the people in my life.  I’ve posted about Mike and Kayla, and will share a family-friendly update about my kids, and then our friends within our “Circle of Trust,” and maybe my lunch bunch friends as well.  But before I do, I figured I should cover our 2020 Immersion. 

2020 P.C.?
There is a new way to mark time.  “PC” as in “Pre-Corona.”  (and conversely, AC for “After Corona).  Immersion was right on the cusp of Corona.  In hindsight, much closer than we imagined and we are fortunate we didn’t cause our own outbreak.  Immersion ran from March 6 – March 12, which in Corona time seems like years ago. 

I also want to mention that I put off writing about it because the idea of talking about overindulgent sexual gratification may be insensitive during these trying times.  However, I also feel it may be just the mental break we all need.  Dive into your fantasies and pick some to actually live out with a partner.   One positive of troubling times is that it underscores that that is no time like the present.

IMMERSION?
Our “Immersion” tradition began in 2016 as an idea we came up with to explore and experiment beyond our normal TTWD.   Setting aside specific “exploratory” time to fully immerse ourselves into all things kink is a great way to open your mind to new things.  There’s a psychological benefit to knowing that it is likely temporary and part of an experiment of sorts.   It allows us a greater psychological freedom to really explore our kinks.    

• Our first immersion was about exploring a Total Power Exchange dynamic where I gave Mike ultimate control over everything.   Keep in mind up to that point we had been practicing a “DD for me” that was about discipline and rules that were on my terms, not Mike’s.
• Our 2017 Immersion was dubbed “The Forbidden Zone” and was our first immersion with Kayla.   John and Donna even joined in part of it.   We explored all sorts of dynamics from Pet Play, Shibari, DD/lg.
• For 2018 the theme was “Got Milk?”  Yep, exploring lactation fetish, among other things.   John and Donna also joined us and while we did explore other things, the notable “event’ was the lactation.
• And last year, it was a group event with the main theme of “Con/NonCon“.  We jokingly refer to it as Con-NonCon-Con as in Consensual Nonconsent Convention.   The consensus is that this was our least favorite Immersion. No regrets, as Immersion is about new experiences and finding what turns you on or off.   The best part of it was the deepening of friendships within our Circle of Trust.  It had a total of 15 participants, although we weren’t all together at the same time.  

This year?  The theme was SwapFest!.  The idea was to take expand on the best of 2019’s Immersion and use it as an opportunity to better forge individual and collective relationships within our “Circle of Trust.”  We’ve become a very unique group of friends!

CIRCLE OF TRUST (COT)
If you’re new here, our COT is what we call our close group of friends with whom we kink.  This kink can involve swapping partners or various other sexually or kinky oriented play.   The official COT for us includes John and Donna, Matt and Jillian, TJ and Kim, and Jaime and Chelsea.  Auxiliary members include Valerie and Raul, with ad-hoc membership from Mister and Nurse Ann.   A cornucopia of debauchery!

IMMERSION 2020 PC: SWAPFEST
Not sure who exactly came up with the idea.  It was a collective idea that emerged from the guys.   It would include the three of us, of course, along with John and Donna, Matt and Jillian, TJ and Kim, and Jaime and Chelsea.

There was planning involved such that people took time off from work and TJ and Kim arranged for childcare.  TJ and Kim arranged to have all three of their kids visiting or vacationing elsewhere.  

The idea was simple, we would rotate through a mix of “couplings.”  These would be groups of two or three people who would spend the day and night together.  The idea of these swaps would be to get to know each other better and use that time to not only explore new activities but to learn more about each other.  I hope this image displays properly.  It shows how people were paired with each other:

You read it like this – Day 1, Jill and Chelsea spent the day and night with Jaime, while Donna spent it with Mike, I spent it with TJ, Kayla with Matt, and Kim with John.  The women spent the day at the house/apartment of the respective man.  The rules were we (woman) would serve and submit to that man.   As always, limits and safe words were respected.

This was a big deal on many levels.  Not every couple considers themselves swingers.  They may have done some swap/soft swap here and there, but not as a lifestyle.  Not that we were intending for this to start such a lifestyle — it was meant as exploration and play.  But still, it was a big deal for many involved, especially Jaime and Chelsea.  But everyone was excited about it.  

Day 1 started at 10 a.m. when the women went to the homes of “their man.”  It didn’t end until 10 a.m. the next day when the women would go to their “next man.” 

It allowed us to get to know each other in a more meaningful way.  I learned more about certain kinks that some people have.  For instance, TJ surprised me the most in that he liked to be on the receiving end of certain humiliation play and punishments.  I guess I shouldn’t have been that surprised since I knew he liked being pegged, I just didn’t realize what else he was into in that regard.  

Being one-on-one with Jaime was also interesting.  He’s shy and quiet but once he got comfortable he let loose in ways that surprised me.   I could share details, but I think I’ll leave some things to your imagination.   It would take too long to give you a blow-by-blow (both literally and figuratively, hee-hee) of each of my pairings.

The threesomes were also interesting.  I drew one, with Chelsea and TJ.  I was glad I got to be with Chelsea on that one as she didn’t really know what to make of TJ and I was able to help her and keep her feeling safe and secure.   TJ is a freak – and I say that in a non-judgmental affectionate way.  I can enjoy a freak.  I can handle a freak.  Chelsea, well, she was a bit perplexed and unsure at times.   We got through it.  

In addition to my own fun,  Mike and Kayla loved the experience as well.  We all swapped lots of interesting and sometimes funny stories!

We had planned a Day 6 gathering of everyone and canceled it due to the oncoming Corona and the expected early return of Kim and TJ’s kids.   Oh, the things we have had to give up due to this pandemic!   

FILL IN THE ‘IN
Sorry that I was light on the explicit details.  Just know there was a lot of f’in and suckin’ and whippin’ and lickin’ and pokin’ and prodin’ and all sorts of in’in and out’in.   May your imagination run wild!  

Let’s hope life A.C. is as fun and kinky as life P.C.!

NEXT: 347. Update on the Fam

 

337. Outsourcing Domestic Discipline

 

In the last five months

• I turned 50!
• Kayla turned 25
• We celebrated a two year anniversary of sorts with Kayla.  It’s been two years since we had a public celebration and recognition of her place in our plural marriage.
• I started working part-time
• What’s the latest with our various friends in our Circle of Trust? (COT)?
• Lots of sex

Hum?  Which would most readers want me to elaborate on?

How about, “None of the above?”    Actually, this is a bit of catching up with one couple in our COT, Jaime and Chelsea.  I wrote this post months ago that I thought I posted, but it was still in my drafts.  So I am going to resurrect it and post it now.  Thus, I still have plenty of fodder for my next post regarding goings-on during my blogging hiatus.

—————————–

With a bit of an empty nest, I thought I’d have more time to blog, not less.  Volunteering, picking up extra household duties (Kayla now works full time), a bit of being lazy and using my free time to watch tv instead of blog, and yes, even BOWLING!  The three of us joined a bowling league!   I bet you didn’t know I was a jock!  To the extent that a bowler can claim that moniker, ha!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Before diving into my latest update on my life of whimsy and wonder, I thought I’d share two things I am enjoying online.

• EAT YOUR VEGGIES
  https://goeatacarrot.com/.    Check her out.   Read about her theories and experiences with dating, sex, love, and relationships (not necessarily in that order)!  A blend of humor, politics, and sexuality!    Love her!
• HEY SISTER, SOUL SISTER
  https://sisters-in-submission.mn.co/.  A women’s only online community connecting women who want to dig deeper into what submission means for them.  The site is well organized and the community is great and supportive of everyone, from those considering submission to those who are full-on slaves, and many in-between.A lot of the post are at the more extreme end of “women are holes” so, be prepared!   But, there are more moderate and mild submissives on there.  From my experience, everyone is supportive of other’s views, but if misogyny is not your thing, skip it.  If it sounds interesting and you are female, check it out.

End of Public Service Announcement!

OUTSOURCING DOMESTIC DISCIPLINE
I thought I’d expand on something I brought up in a previous post regarding Mike’s relationship with Jaime and Chelsea.

As a quick recap regarding Jaime and Chelsea (if you want the details, read Post 308):

• So that you don’t live your life thinking it is Jay-me, it is pronounced Hi-me.  Spanish for James.   This is important because to this day I think of Hermoine Granger as “Her-Moyn” and not “Her-mi-o-ney.”   I digress
• Kayla met Chelsea in college about two years ago. Kayla was a grad student, Chelsea an undergrad.  They are basically the same age though.  This is new for Kayla as for her entire life her closest friends were also much older than her.
• Jaime & Chelsea have been married six years.  They got married as soon as Chelsea got out of high school.  She was 18, Jaime was 22.
• Chelsea grew up in a family that practiced corporal punishment/domestic discipline.  Spanking was a family tradition and something she was eager to leave.
• After several years of marriage, Chelsea began craving more leadership and discipline from Jaime, including domestic discipline.   Jaime resisted.
• After befriending Kayla, Chelsea’s need for submission reached a tipping point where she had to get Jaime on board.  It didn’t take too much effort this time and Jaime agreed to a DD dynamic — with some help from us, namely Mike. 
• Mike has become the de facto DD coach for Jaime.   Mike administered many of the initial punishments and basically oversaw many more to help Jaime find his way as a Head of Household.  
• Jaime looks up to Mike and is amazed at how Chelsea’s behavior, mood, and personality has changed for the better and how much happier she is.  He credits Mike with those changes. 
• Chelsea has a crush on Mike and, as revealed in a prior post, has performed oral sex on Mike, with Jaime’s blessing.   

Sounds like a happy ending (lol!).   All parties do appear to be happy, but things have evolved differently than any of us has anticipated.   Jaime recently told Mike that he not only appreciates all the help Mike gives, but he really “gets off” on watching Mike spank her.  What has evolved is that Jaime has basically “outsourced” his DD to Mike.  Mike is Chelsea’s disciplinarian.   There is a weekly meeting, typically at their place, but sometimes at ours, that serve as Chelsea’s Maintenance Session.  

This odd arrangement has been working.  All three parties seem to find it fulfilling.  I don’t question it as I feel no need to do so.  I feel I have no standing to complain if it works for them and doesn’t interfere in my household dynamic.  Mike has asked me my opinion and I honestly give it.  I find it odd, but I can accept odd.  Heck, just look at my lifestyle.  What I do is odd, thus an “oddity” factor certainly can’t be my criteria to complain.   And honestly, I only had one concern. 

The only thing that bothers me is when we have to change our schedule to accommodate them.  They are our friends and I thoroughly enjoy the thought of Mike helping them as he does.  It really tingles me in the right places to think of him as this DD-Jedi of sorts.  But, changing our plans to accommodate them?  Sorry, I don’t like it.  I am happy to accommodate a friend when something unexpected occurs – but this is a weekly thing.   I shared my concern and Mike said he would strive to “work them in” on our schedule, not theirs.  And thus far it’s worked out!  See, I told you I have a voice in my marriage!  I get to provide feedback whenever my husband wants to spank someone else’s wife!  Who could ask for more?  lol. 

Oh, and there was one other concern I had at first.  It didn’t seem to me that Mike was really into it as if he looked at it as a chore.  He never said so, but I didn’t sense much enthusiasm.   We talked about it, and Mike said he purposely tried to “play it cool” when talking about it with me or with Kayla.   He said, “Honestly, I enjoy this role.  It is challenging to be the right kind of disciplinarian to you and to Kayla.  I feel I have mastered that challenge and it’s exciting to have someone new to figure out.”

It helped me to know he enjoys it, as I get a lot of joy from his enjoyment of anything (or anyone!).   Mike also said, before I had a chance to, that at some point his feelings may change, as may Jaime’s or Chelsea’s.  Like any change, we try and stay ahead of it through open and honest dialogue.  From what Mike says and from what I have witnessed, Jaime is a little slow on expressing himself, so it concerns me that something may fester and then show itself in a negative way.  The great thing about our relationship with them is that I am able to share this concern directly with Jaime.  I believe he fully understands the need to speak up.  And although he tends to be a bit quiet, I have to give him credit.  It couldn’t have been easy to ask Mike to become the de-facto disciplinarian in his marriage.    

Kayla is more uncomfortable with it.  I think because Chelsea is her friend and her age, it’s easier to trigger the jealousy instincts.  Kayla acknowledges it and while a bit rough at first, it has evolved to where she looks at is as sharing something (someone) she has that is really cool and that she highly cherishes.   It’s an act of her “giving,” not of someone else “taking.”  And like me, it becomes a source of pride in that, “Yeah, that’s my husband providing you something you and your husband really need and enjoy.”

Maybe there’s a way Mike can monetize his Dom skills.  Does Angie’s List include a listing for Disciplinarians? 

NEXT: 338.  Jen, just shut up already!

312. Oh, you want me to do THAT! (TJ and Kim Part III)

A bit more background before the “reveal.”  Yes, I can be a tease. 

Kim shared that she knows TJ masturbates and watches porn.  She actually encourages this.   Yet more evidence that she is able to take a “sex-positive” stance regarding others, but is unable to do so for herself. 

 She has tried to watch porn but it reinforces her distorted views that enjoying sex and having your partner enjoy it means you must be open to all things and you must “perform gymnastics in the bedroom” (a phrase she repeatedly uses).   To be clear, I think porn can contribute to a healthy sexual relationship for a couple, and even be healthy for an individual, but if your views on sex are already entrenched in dark and painful thoughts, it is not going to improve your sexual health. 

PORN / BDSMLR
As a quick aside – our own porn viewing habits are such that we typically don’t watch it together.  No need for that as we can put on our own “show” when we are together.  There is some viewing on our own, but mostly it is done in fun.  A “porn sharing game” of sorts that we play.  We like to find things that turn us on and share them with each other.  Sometimes in a strict, “this is just fantasy” way, and other times, “can we try that?,” or, a flirty, “this made me think of you.”   

Our porn habits add to our open sexual dialogue and exploration.  Oh – one thing we started doing lately is using bdsmlr.com as a way to have some fun and explore and share our fantasies and desires.  The three of us share an account and make comments on pics, gifs, or vids that we like.   The comments are sometimes in fun, sometimes reflecting truth, sometimes reflecting fantasy.   Check us out if you are interested.  We are FunsomeThreesome.   That site is a bit “aggressive” if you ask me.  A bit more “ugly” stuff that I’d prefer not to see, but to each their own.  The way we use it is fun for us. 

Back to a regularly scheduled programming. . .

KIM MAKES A REQUEST
Kim told me she had something to ask me.  I recognized her uncomfortable and awkward demeanor as a clear sign it was something related to sex as we had previously had several direct conversations about sex.  I was encouraging her to masturbate and offered to show her in what I joked was either in a “view only” mode or a “hands-on” mode.  She declined.   I thought perhaps she changed her mind.

I admit I also thought perhaps she wants to have sex with me.  She did admit to “playing around” with another woman once.  I am open to it, with Mike’s permission of course.

Then she asked, “Can I watch you and Mike have sex?”

I wasn’t expecting that.

I replied, “I’ll ask Mike.”

She said she wanted to know what I felt.  This led to an interesting discussion about my submission.   So changing gears a bit, here’s how that discussion went.

MY SUBMISSION AND A GODFATHER REFERENCE
I told her my feelings about it are tied to Mike’s feelings.  I want to know his thoughts before making my own conclusions.   She then adeptly asked me, “Forget conclusions, just tell me what you’re thinking.”

I told her I did not feel comfortable sharing my thoughts without first discussing it with Mike.  I explained it is part of my agreement with Mike to respect and support his decisions.  I don’t want to put him in a position of being the “bad guy” by taking a stance that differs from mine.  One way I do that is simply not to take a stance before discussing it with him.

This is actually something that arose from our last contract negotiation – about which I haven’t even written!  I’ll get to a post on that soon.   The short of it is that I need to better demonstrate deference to Mike’s views and decisions.  Sharing my own thoughts and conclusions with others, before sharing it with him, is not consistent with that deference.

I told her, “Ever watch the Godfather?”

“Yeah, TJ loves that movie.”  (Don’t all guys love that movie?  I mean, it’s good, but, men seem to think it’s great.  I think seeing the power the men in the movie have connects to a desire most men can relate to.  It’s basically about a misogynistic culture where certain rules and laws don’t apply to the men.  I digress).

“There’s a scene where Vito Corleone tells Sonny, ‘Don’t ever let someone outside the family know what you’re thinking.’   Well, we’ve adopted that mindset where we both want to present a united front to others.  Big decisions – and I would call this a big decision – require a dialogue with Mike before I share my thoughts with others. 

It’s not that I don’t have a voice.  It’s that my voice is heard by Mike first.  Then based on his conclusions, we form our united front.  That’s how I like it and what I have agreed to with Mike. 

Kim still pressed.  I soon understood that she was very insecure about the question and had a lot of anxiety about not getting any indication as to my feelings.  So I did add something that probably tipped my hand just a little bit – 

“I am happy to help you in any way you want that Mike agrees to.  I am not saying that as an indication that I will obey Mike regardless of my thoughts on this.  I mean, I will obey his wishes, but my reason for saying that is because I want to help you.  In other words, my willingness to help you is because I am willing to help you, and of course, I will obey Mike’s wishes on this or any other way I can help.”

I tempered her thoughts on this being a “done deal.”   Sure, I’ve told her of a lot of our sexploits, but she shouldn’t assume that means Mike agrees to everything.   He is cautious with our “Circle of Trust.”  He doesn’t know her or TJ other than what I’ve shared.  So while I don’t want to guess as to what his decision will be, I know that it isn’t something he considers flippantly.

TJ’S THOUGHTS?
Kim already ran it by TJ.  She told me he was supportive but would want to talk about it with the four of us.  Fair enough.   I’ll ask Mike and if Mike is agreeable, we’ll all talk.

Kim admitted she was feeling tremendous anxiety over this.  The thought that the four of us need to get together to talk through this because of her own hang-ups puts all the focus on her sexual shortcomings.   It’s a lot for her to think about.  She feels very exposed.  In my lingo, she feels extremely vulnerable!   

What a great opportunity to share with her all my thoughts on vulnerability.   I only have a few, hee-hee.  Of my dozen or so posts on this topic, my favorites are Post 30.  I found my Thrill,  Post 67. An Esoteric Ramble and Post 129. Submissive ramble: Vulnerability, Respect, or Love?.  In fact, I think those are my favorite posts of all-time.  They sum up my ideology regarding what it is to really love yourself and others. 

Thus I proceeded to share with her all the wonderful things that come from allowing yourself to be vulnerable.  And she already took the hardest steps.  She had the courage to be vulnerable to TJ in telling him she wanted to ask me that question.   In addition, she was vulnerable to me in actually asking.  And TJ also showed vulnerability in being open to the idea.  There was more to his response than just, “Sure, ask her.”  But I felt it wasn’t relevant to go into detail as overall he was supportive and accepting of the idea.  

MIKES THOUGHTS
I asked Mike.  And his answer?   Next time!  hee-hee.  I am liking these cliffhangers!

NEXT: 313. Contract update – 4 years of DD

280. You can’t beat that! (a spanking story)

Mike is going out of town on business for a couple of days next week.  He hasn’t told us what his plans are regarding WWAA! (When We Are Apart).  Typically it is some combination of me or Kayla spending a night with John and Donna, or they stay the night at our house, or Matt stays the night or I stay a night at his place.   We shall see. 

If you’re keeping score, it’s actually been awhile since the three of us have had sex with John and Donna.  Now that it is football season, I suspect tomorrow may be an opportunity to all play together.  One thing or another has just limited our play with them the last month or two (other than Immersion when we played a lot with them). Maybe tomorrow – J is spending the weekend at his brother’s house and John and Donna are coming over for “game day.”  As in, football — and yes, sex!  

SPANKED LAST NIGHT
I got quite a spanking last night.  My butt is very sore and bruised and my boobs still are bit polka-dotty (is that word?  It is now!).  Actually, much of it looks a bit more like a rash than polka-dots, but “polka-dotty” sounds so much for fun than “rashy.”    Anyway…. so, what happened? 

DISRESPECTFUL
I was dealing with an issue with J and talking to him about it.  Mike chimed in and I took exception to what Mike said.  In hindsight what he said was very supportive of the point I was trying to make to J, but it was just a slightly different angle and a little bit different than the point I was trying to reinforce with J.   I reacted as if Mike was undermining me, not supporting me.  I snapped back at Mike, in front of J. 

Now in the history of spouses “snapping” at each other, my little snap probably ranked as a two on a scale of 1-10.  Regardless, disobedience is an absolute.  I am either obedient, or not, and I was not.  My tone and words were disrespectful. 

This occurred just as J was going to bed.  Mike sent me to my room in as subtle way as possible.  “Jen, I know you are frustrated, why don’t you go to our room and relax and I will make sure J gets to bed.”   I knew that “relax” was code for, “prepare for discipline.”  I went to the bedroom and stood in the corner awaiting his arrival. 

SOAPING
To my surprise, Mike came in after just a few minutes.  He walked me to the tub and had me stand in it.  I knew what that meant.  He lathered up a bar of soap and told me to stick out my tongue.  He rubbed the soap on my tongue and then around my lips before putting it in my mouth and telling me to bite down.  “I need to see teeth marks when I take it out.”  I was told to stand there, with my hands clasped behind my head, until he returned.   

It seemed like forever before he returned.  It was about thirty minutes which, in “soaping time” is just short of forever.   He asked me if I had ever put my arms down during that time.  I nodded as the soap was still in my mouth.   A few times I had lowered my arms just to stretch them and relax them and I returned them to position as quickly as possible.   He told me I just earned some extra spankings. 

He had a glass which he filled with water.  He took the bar out of my mouth — it had clearly visible teeth marks — and let me rinse with the water in the glass.  He then told me to kneel and as is our typical soap discipline, he peed in my mouth and I rinsed with his piss.   With a soaping it is mostly just rinse and spit, but I often am required to swallow at some point.

I still have this strange relationship with this whole pee thing.  I don’t like talking about it — I am sort of forcing myself to do so now.   Yeah I post about it here and there, but I often skip sharing most of my pee related punishments.  The idea of it is so repulsive to me.  But the reality of it just isn’t nearly as repulsive as the thought of it.   For me it is the most submissive thing that I do.  Emotionally I like the idea that I allow Mike to piss in my mouth and yes, that I often drink it.  There, I said it.  I like it.  You are probably puking about now.   Anyway, it feels good to just own it!  Let’s move on. 

A PADDLING, OR TWO, OR THREE
Mike then turned on the shower and used the wand to rinse off the drool, suds and pee that was on me.  He told me to get out and dry off as he went to our closet to choose a spanking implement.  He emerged with two different wooden paddles – a long thin one and one very wide one.  Before he paddled me, he told me to just get it all out and let’s talk about what my issue was. 

We calmly discussed it.  It was unreal just how calm the discussion was.  I wasn’t upset – at him or at myself.  I already realized that he was trying to be helpful and that I over reacted.  And I also had reconciled that my over reaction wasn’t some monumental failing on my part.  Just something that happened “in the moment” as a reflex on my part to responding to what I perceived as a threat to my “mommy authority.”   What he said to J clearly was no threat and if anything, was supportive of what I was saying.  All of this to say that my mindset was simply, “Yep, I screwed up, and I hope this discipline can influence that ‘reflex’ so that I don’t repeat my behavior. 

I even had thought about the fact that my snapping at him, while unacceptable, was very mild and illustrated how far I have come.  There was a time my retort would have been anything but mild.  I was feeling a sense of accomplishment with my DD, and fully accepted that I had earned this punishment.  Thus, I was able to discuss what happened very calmly.   It helped that Mike was also calm, which 99.9% of the time he is.   As a quick aside – he strives to make sure he disciplines me in a calm manner.  Now calm doesn’t mean he isn’t stern — he can be very stern – but he always exudes a sense of control and calm.  

We talked a bit and I apologized for my behavior.  He then had me grab my ankles and he went about spanking me, pausing from time to time to lecture me.  The spankings were very hard and I had no sense of just how many I got.  Maybe fifty, maybe more?  

He then took me the bed and had me lay on my back.  He raised my legs and had me grab a hold so that I was in a diaper position.  He spanked me some more.  This position is particularly painful as the butt is pulled tight and he can (and does) strike at  the top part of my legs just below the butt cheeks.  Again, I don’t know how many I got.  But it was plenty. 

TACK BRA
When he was done, he had me put on my tack bra plus another bra over it.  I have an older bra that is too tight to wear, and instead of getting rid of it, Mike had this idea that it was perfect for tack bra punishments.  I put it on over the tack bra, so it is even more tight.  It presses the tacks more into my skin and just adds to the overall discomfort.  I then was told to stand in the corner and he left the room.

He returned, maybe fifteen minutes or so later.  He told me to get ready for bed and that I was to leave the bra on and I could shower in the morning.  “And when you are ready, you will go to the other room and get to bed as you will be sleeping by yourself tonight.”   
Ug.  Now that hurt more than the throbbing butt or the tacks scratching and poking into my breasts.  Mike rarely imposes this is a punishment and I think I dislike this one more than anything.  While I am just in the next room, it feels so isolating – as if I have been banished and not worthy to be in anyone’s presence.  It really hurts emotionally. 

I got ready for bed and went to the spare room and laid down, ready to go to sleep as best I could with the tack bra still on.  I had never head to sleep with it on before, and in addition to the tacks, the straps were uncomfortable as they were tight around my shoulders.  Fortunately, Mike came into the room just as I was finally dozing off.  

He was naked as is normal.  He told me to sit up.  He was standing over me and as I sat up on the bed he reached around and removed both bras.   We both looked down at my breasts which were covered in tiny polka dots of redness and pock marks.   I don’t think it was his plan, but he reached out and fondled me gently, as to sooth them.   As he fondled, his thumbs rolled over my nipples several times.  As if instinct, I reached out and grabbed his cock and it quickly became hard in my hands.  This is not how my discipline typically goes.  We keep sex and discipline separate, but, it was just one of those things that neither of us planned, and neither of us wanted to stop.

So we had sex.    

When we were done, he kissed me goodnight, had me recite my Evening Mantra, and said he would see me in the morning.  He turned out the light and closed the door behind him.  I no longer felt any isolation.  I felt warm inside…maybe because I literally was, hee- hee.   That feeling of, “Yeah, it’s not my preference to sleep alone tonight, but it is the consequences of my action and of my submission, and I cherish my DD soooo much.”

This morning he was up before I was, which is rare.  He came into the bedroom and woke me.  We hugged, and “all was forgiven.”   

REFLECTION
Once again, I contrast this outcome with the pre-DD outcome.  Pre-DD my snapping would have scored a 9 or 10 snap-scale, and it would have most certainly triggered a bigger argument about semi-related and totally unrelated things.  It would not have resolved itself.  The anger would linger for days, even weeks, before finally suppressing itself waiting for the moment to rear its ugly head in the future. 

Instead.  All is truly forgiven.  Peace, reconciliation, and growth.  Personal growth and growth in our relationship and love for one another.   

You can’t beat that!  

NEXT 281: Why Domestic Discipline? Reflection

277. Understanding myself and my submission

I think if my blog has one consistent lesson, it is this:

Don’t suggest your husband spank you as you may get what you asked for. 

Ha!  No, that’s not it.  It’s this:

Don’t chew ice.

Okay, not that one either, although if the consequences are “chilling” enough, you might not ever chew ice again.   

Alright, maybe the lesson isn’t a lesson, but a question. 

That question is  —  It is more fruitful to understand our emotions and actions than to hate, ridicule, or ignore them?

Aha!  Yes, that’s it!  And maybe there should be a second part to that sentence of, “… and whether you understand them, hate them, or ignore them, a good spanking can cure what ails you.”   LOL!

IT’S ESOTERIC RAMBLE TIME
It’s been a while since I’ve dropped some Jenny-style psycho-babble.   I’ll do my best to try and make this a coherent as possible, as I have a lot of disparate thoughts rolling around my head.  

I was doing some thinking as I am prone to do, trying to come up with one idea or theme that I felt was the predominant thread in my blog.  Sure, it is a blog about Domestic Discipline, but I feel a consistent theme I’ve gone back to time and time again is that we should take the time to understand our emotions and actions.

Another word for this can be self-awareness, but this word can be tricky.  Your awareness of yourself is always limited.  It is limited by, well. . . by your awareness of yourself.  While you can do things to be more aware – complete awareness can not exist (any Buddhist’s out there may respectfully disagree).   To me, what can exist is a better understanding of yourself.  This becomes a constant journey and not a final destination of 100% self-awareness.

And if you are a long time reader, I will flunk you now and send you to the principals office if you can’t answer the question, “And how does one better understand themselves?   It’s all about the “V'” word –  vulnerability.   

WHAT SELF AWARENESS MEANS TO ME
I don’t want to repeat myself as there are probably a dozen posts dedicated to the “V” word and a dozen others that touch on it.  (Beavis:  “Aa-huh. . . she said touch the V.”)   If you need a refresher, here’s one post I often find myself referring back to — Post 67.

Vulnerability is only the catalyst.  It is not the end-all, be-all.  It is the catalyst that helps me increase my self-awareness.  And if you buy my definition of self-awareness as being  a “better understanding of oneself,” then vulnerability allows me to better understand myself.

This begs the question, “What is it about myself that I am trying to understand?”   

I believe it comes down to me trying to answer this question, “What is giving rise to the different feelings I am having?”   I’ve always been highly self reflective, but I have only been fully honest in my reflection for the last 3-4 years.   It can be very difficult as the things that give rise to your feelings can be highly complex and a combination of external influences and things that are just from our own nature.   Navigating that complexity is made even harder due to the many built in bias’ we all have. 

Here’s a great article on bias.   While not tied to self-awareness, it gives a great lesson on the bias’ we all have.   The point this article helps make is that if you don’t take time to really question yourself, your motives, your feelings, your reactions, you likely will never get to the root of what gave rise to them.  You will discount/ignore any “bad” or unhealthy motivations and assume only the “good” or positive motivations applied to you. Thus transformation/growth is not possible, and ultimately happiness and fulfillment will allude you.  

My drive to try and understand myself comes from a perspective of boiling life down to two choices:

1. Understand your emotions and let that understanding be transformative and manifest themselves in positive ways. 
2. Suffer your emotions – hate them, ridicule them, or ignore them, and let them manifest themselves in negative ways.     

And recently I added a third part to this:

3. Understand that #1 and #2 can also apply to those you allow into your life re “understand their emotions or suffer their emotions.” 

If you strive for #1 as I do, keep in mind that if you have done #2 for too long, you may need professional help to break out of it.  That’s the core of what a psychologist and psychiatrist does – it is about helping you understand your emotions.  Doing so requires you to be honest (vulnerable) to them and pour out all your “truths” to them.  Or, you can just be vulnerable to your significant other and let them spank you.  lol

Thus, I am compelled to try and understand my thoughts and emotions behind Active submission vs Passive submission which I wrote about in Post 275.

ACTIVE SUBMISSION?
I think I used the word “Active” because up until recently, practically all my submissive acts were caused by me.  The motivation of those acts were borne in me.  They flowed from within me, and flowed out of me. 

PASSIVE SUBMISSION?
Contrast that with “Passive.”   That is where I find my submissive acts are becoming only partially from me or even not all from me.  That is, they are requirements of Mike to which I am willing to meet.

Both are worthy submissive acts.  Both are fulfilling.  One is not better than the other.  They are like water from a different well.   There is no substantial reason they are different.  But emotions are typically not reasonable.  It is in the emotions where you find the difference.   

If  you are a submissive, it doesn’t matter if you more closely identify as Active vs Passive.  There is no right or wrong way, or even an absolute.  You can be half-and-half, or lean a little, or completely, one way or the other.  It isn’t about what I have come to understand about my emotions.  It is about what you discover when you come to understand yours.   Of course, this is my blog so I will talk about what I’ve come to understand fro mine.

POWER EXCHANGE IS ABHORRENT?
I’ve written that I am finding passive submission is as equally rewarding as active.  As I am beginning to understand it better, the truth is, at least for now, it isn’t!    Passive submission is MORE rewarding to me.  I think the reason has to do with power, and as a submissive, I thrive in giving up power to my husband.

As humans, I think we are wired to derive joy from power.  It’s what makes wanting to be submissive so counter-culture (Post 27. Jenny’s Doctrine of Submission).   It doesn’t have to be overwhelming power, unless you are an egotistical, unstable, self-absorbed narcissist, but enough about Trump.  It can be as simple as the power of persuasion. Think of the little shot of joy we all get when someone “likes” a post.  It’s like, yeah, at a minimum, I persuaded them to consider what I had to say.   

Whatever it is, it is human nature to derive joy from power.   If you agree, then the antithesis of this is that there is sadness when power is diminished.  Thus, if we lose influence, lose certain controls, it is human nature to become sad.

Therefore — now stick with me — whatever increases our power makes us happy and we value those things as being “good.”  And whatever decreases our power make us sad and we value those things as being “bad.”   

Thus – a person who voluntarily gives up power must be sad, bad, and violating  human nature.   It is only natural to conclude that Domestic Discipline or a Dominant/submissive relationship is abhorrent.   

But for a submissive, there is no joy in retaining and demonstrating power.  It’s more clear said in the positive  — for a submissive, there is joy when power is given away. 

Clearly a submissive defies our natural instinct to enjoy power.   I find it odd that society looks down upon someone who gives up so much power, and looks up to someone who craves total power – even abusing that power along the way.   It is the power-hungry who destroy lives, oppress and harm people for inhumane reason simply because they can.  Far from submissives being “abhorrent,” there is something wrong with those who derive all their joy from power…and that goes for people who idolize (and vote) those that do so.  Deplorables indeed!  I digress. 

Like most things, this is not an absolute.  It is not a choice between “all powerful” and “completely powerless.”   I do not seek to be completely powerless.  I have a voice and I have influence over Mike.  But by evolving from my active submission to my passive submission, I have given up more power.  And that was the final step in reaching the level of submission I was looking for.   

IN CONCLUSION
I’ve been fulfilled each step of our DD journey.  And every step was critical to allowing me to reach this destination point in my journey.  I’ve stated before that when we started, I would have never accepted the level of submission I was at a year into our DD, or two years into it, or now, three-and-a-half years into it. 

I’ve been fortunate in that it seems like I have always had the level of submission that I needed at the time. I believe it is because I remained vulnerable to Mike, and he to me, and we’ve cherished being completely open and honest with each other and most importantly, with ourselves.  It’s about taking time to reflect and trying our best to understand our emotions and actions, and the emotions and actions of each other, rather than hate, ridicule, or ignore them.  

Here’s a quote I found that connects the importance of honesty in D/s.  It is from Byron Cane: 

D/s is a true partnership between equals who find things they both enjoy in a loving, respectful and most importantly, honest relationship with full knowledge, consent and trust.

Next: 278. Spanksome before you threesome

252. Still there? The Naked Caravan

Wow.  Where did May go?

Summer is usually busy but the busyness started a month early!  So much to catch you up on!  I don’t think I ever have gone so long without blogging!  The upside is there is plenty of fodder for several posts.  Where to start?

T1 AND E MOVE IN?
T1 and E moved into their new house, sort of.   I mentioned before their new place is about 3 hours or so away from his old place (and us).  His job has an office they are allowing him to relocate to that is just under an hour commute from his new place — but they didn’t want him switching offices until after Memorial Day – and their old house sold already.  The result?  — They kind of moved in with us! 

They moved a lot of things to their new place but since a 3 hour commute is just too much, they spent their weekdays with us and the weekends at their new place. 

WEEKENDS AT THEIR PLACE
We spent almost every weekend at their new place, helping them with various repair and remodeling that they began in earnest.  Mike even took a few extra days off and spent time their during the week.  They are doing a big part of it DYI, but will also be hiring a contractor for some of it.  In any event, it meant big changes in my normal routine.

A WEEKEND WITH MATT
Matt invited me to go to the coast with him.  We came up with a cover story that I wasn’t feeling well and wanted to rest.  So while Mike, Kayla, and J spent a weekend at T1’s, I spent it with Matt.  I actually wasn’t keen on the idea as I didn’t want to miss a weekend helping at T1’s.  Not that I am that handy of a DYI’er, but I can paint a wall or at least cook and clean up or just socialize.  Great family bonding time — and I love being around E’s cousin’s.  I am hooked on nudism!   But… I left it up to Mike and he wanted me to spend the weekend with Matt at the coast.  I’ll get back to that in my next post. 

FAMILY (NAKED) CARAVAN 
Some of my nieces and nephews wanted to check out their cousin’s new digs and help out.  My side of the family was made aware of T1 adopting E’s naturist lifestyle, but participating in it is another thing.  And, until they asked if they could help out they weren’t really aware that E’s next-door-neighbor cousin’s family were all nudists as well. 

Until E “came out” as a nudist to us and our subsequent embracing of it, T1 and E kept it to themselves.  No more.  The expectation is that anyone visiting them will at least be a witness to their natural state, but no one is expected to partake if they don’t want to.

Most of my nieces and nephews are adults ranging from their early 20’s to early 30’s but one niece is 17 (about six months younger than J).   When told of what to expect, most of them were unfazed.  My sisters weren’t planning to come and said if their kids wanted to help out, it was up to them.  Same for whether or not they wanted to be naked.  And, my eldest sister’s husband was coming.  So yeah, no one objected.

It surprised me.  I assumed at least one person may have had an issue – not to say there weren’t some concerns and questions to address, especially with my sister regarding her 17 year old daughter.  My sister surprised me the most with allowing her daughter to come.   With all the people that would be there, including her husband, and with assurances that I would “keep an eye out,”  she was fine leaving it up to her daughter to decide.  My niece was very excited about it. 

Funny aside – she said she was more nervous and “weirded out” from the prospects of being naked in front of her dad, and in seeing her dad naked, than she was from anyone else seeing her or being nude. I think that is understandable.   

SEE IMAGE ABOVE
Okay, so we weren’t quite as crammed together as those in that image, but, it was pretty close to that.  There was a caravan of us that spent the weekend at T1’s. 5of my nieces and nephews including two spouses, along with a brother-in-law, plus me, Mike, Kayla and J, plus T1 and E, E’s cousin, cousin’s husband, 3 kids, AND E’s brother, her brother’s partner and their 2 kids, AND one other of E’s cousins and their two kids.   And there were times E’s cousin’s kids had friends over — so there were around 30 people going between the two houses.   And just about everyone was naked the entire time!

A few didn’t partake right away but eventually did, and a couple never did.  But whether they were clothes free, partially nude, or totally naked, no one was made to feel bad about their decision. 

I found that I become oblivious to the nudity after awhile.  However, even without a conscious awareness of there being “nakedness” everywhere, I always remained conscious of the “beauty-ness, purity-ness, fun-ness, carefree-ness, loving-ness” that was in the air.

It was amazing and I am tempted to go on and on and start another nudism rant if not for being so behind in posting.  Perhaps another post!  But if our “naked caravan” is any indication of what I am in for at the nudist resort, I am only that much more excited about that trip!  Our trip to the nudist resort is coming up – June 7!  

Oh – and we got so much done at their new place!  Overgrowth cleared (the land was very overgrown), large section of the house gutted, reframed, re-wired, etc.  It’s great having E’s cousin next door, not only pitching in, but they have a lot of heavy equipment like a backhoe.   They ended up putting in a back road of sorts that connects their two houses without having to drive on the public road.

And it was so nice of T1’s cousins to give up a weekend and help out.  They don’t always see as much of each other as they use to as everyone is so busy with their lives.  Of course, they got to see an awful lot of each other this time.  Ha!! 

So two weeks of T1 and E living with us during the week, weekends spent at their place, and some other “routine life stuff” kept me away from blogging the last several weeks.  In my next post, I’ll share more details about what my weekend with Matt was like, as well as what that weekend at T1’s was like without me. 

Next: 253. What to title this one?