Getting Kinky With Your Partner

With the corona virus still hanging around like a psychotic relative with a gun, we cannot ignore it.  With all the dungeons closed, with contact risky and with Mistress Cyan sponsoring Virtual Dungeons, many of the questions that I have answered recently came from a pile of questions I kept around for just such an emergency.  But the following query was one I received a couple of weeks ago.  

“What would you do if you’d been with your SO for many years and recently found that your BDSM needs were developing and your SO’s weren’t? How would you resolve a growing apparent incompatibility? How do you take someone on a journey with you when they are resistant or uninterested? How do you stay with the one you love despite those dilemmas?”

It is a cliché in every advice column to say, “the key to a successful relationship is communication.”  I guess it is a cliché because it is so true.  But your dilemma will not be resolved simply by discussing your needs.  BDSM isn’t Dr. Full-Of-It’s simple answers for complex questions.  (Is he still around?) Oft times, in vanilla relationships, you can just say, “I need oral sex a little more” and voila!  The other partner replies, “I will do that if you do this (such as dress sexier, etc.)”  This might not solve the deeper problems in the relationship, but it can be a quick fix for the sex aspects.  BDSM problems, on the other hand, are not so easy to repair.

In your situation, it appears the actual relationship/love part is solid, but the play aspects are falling apart.  And play is very important in a BDSM relationship.  You might say it is the basis of it.  So, what to do?

Your strategy would depend on the answer to one big question.  How much does your partner know about your BDSM needs?  Does he/she participate with you? And are you overreacting and getting all bent out of shape because your partner lost interest in BDSM because of the pandemic?  

If your partner is totally in the dark about the true depth of your BDSM needs, you must determine whether you wish to risk wrecking a good long-term relationship to disclose them.  If they are very strong in your case, I suggest you take a risk.  More than likely, you will succumb to these urges somewhere down the road, so why not address the problem as soon as possible.  Procrastination solves nothing.  But more about that later. (“We will be right back!”)  I would simply tell your partner that you have very deep BDSM desires and explain exactly what they are in the most enticing way.  And don’t be afraid to state them loud and clear.  Explain what you really, really, really want, what turns you on.  You have been with this person for many years, so chances are you discuss more than the weather in Topeka.  If you are lucky – very lucky – and explain “home dungeon” BDSM play in an exciting way, you just might strike gold.  Also make sure that your SO (Significant Other?  Social Outcast?  LOL) is just going through this disinterest phase as a result of the pandemic.

If, however, he/she either is aware of your BDSM needs – even to the point of partaking in them – a different strategy is needed.  If one of you keeps a BDSM diary, look for points of intersection.  See what BDSM play turns the two of you on, and make sure to point it out.  You might be surprised how much play you both want to experience together.

If you are the Top, then it will be easy to redirect your play toward your partner’s area of interests.  This is not to say, let the bottom totally control the direction of the relationship.  It is to say, let the bottom have some fun!  You will find the bottom is more responsive to activities that you prefer when there is a mix of activities he/she likes too.

If you are the submissive, your relationship – no matter what the protocol – should allow you to voice your opinions freely.  State your needs to your Top, and explain that you need more of certain BDSM activities.  Be clever and select play that both of you enjoy.  A diary is a great device for discovering what interests you and your partner share.  It is easy to get “more” when the “more” is fun!

Of course, if your partner simply has absolutely lost interest in BDSM,for whatever reason,  and you love it, I really cannot help you there.  But it is better to find this out sooner than later. 

I would bet it is a temporary situation caused by this pandemic.  I haven’t gone to a dungeon since this craziness started.  I have tried to both answer your question and suggest that your problems are caused by this virus. These are insane times and it would be a shame if your relationship got destroyed by this microbe.  Hasn’t it done enough damage? My assumption could be wrong; but if I am right you will look at your problem in a different light.

These times are trying enough without having to deal with the relationship problems that the virus is causing. 

After a ten year run as head writer for the legendary bondage.com, and an equally long run as the host of the hit internet show “Baadmaster’s Dungeon,” we are pleased to welcome the one and only Baadmaster to KinkWeekly. His thoughts about all things BDSM will now appear regularly on these pages. From the mental aspects of D/s to the nuts and bolts of S&M play, Baadmaster will cover every facet of this ever expanding lifestyle.