Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Hello, everyone, and
welcome to this month's podcast
from Submissive Guide.
I'm your host, Luna KM.
Today, we're going to talk aboutlearning your BDSM limits.
Before we get into the topic, Iwanted to let you know about a
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(00:45):
That's subguide.de and get yourcopy today.
We are surrounded by boundariesand fences, limits and
do-not-pass signs.
Everything we do has limitationsand restrictions, so it may come
(01:07):
as no surprise that you too havelimits you will not cross,
whether in your relationship orfor sex and play.
Some limits are temporary, whileothers are permanent.
Still others exist only forcertain situations or in
specific relationships.
you may not even know all yourlimits right now.
(01:28):
I probably have not found all ofmine yet, and I've been at this
for years.
Whether you're a seasonedpractitioner or just dipping
your toes into this captivatingrealm, one thing remains
paramount, understanding andmanaging your limits.
BDSM, an acronym for Bondage andDiscipline, Dominance and
(01:49):
Submission, Sadism andMasochism, is an erotic practice
around consensual powerexchange.
At its core, BDSM is built ontrust, communication, and mutual
respect.
Within this framework,establishing and respecting
boundaries, also known aslimits, becomes essential.
Limits refer to the physical,emotional, and psychological
(02:13):
boundaries we place on anything,from what we eat for breakfast
to how much pain we'll endureduring play.
They can be physical, but moreoften they are moral, societal,
or experience-based.
When you are new to anythingrelated to BDSM, you may not
know many of your limits, andthat's okay.
These limits can varysignificantly from person to
(02:34):
person, so make sure you areprepared to share what you know
about your limits if you want toplay, and stop as soon as you
think you've reached a limit.
There are four kinds of limits.
Soft limits, hard limits,negotiated limits, and triggers.
Soft limits are flexibleboundaries.
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These are things you will doonly with certain individuals
under specific circumstances, orthey are things you think you
might have as limits, but areyet to explore.
Soft limits typically haveconditions to be met to lift the
limit.
I put all activities I have yetto try on my soft limits list so
that when I eventually engage inthem, They can be handled more
(03:18):
delicately and with morepreparedness on both the top and
my parts.
Activities such as sex or analplay might be on your soft
limits list, only because youwill only do that with select
partners.
Think about what you have onyour soft limits list.
Hard limits are activities orexperiences that are
(03:39):
non-negotiable.
They are firm no's, never's, andnot ever's.
Usually hard limits are thingsyou refuse to do under any
circumstances.
What would be a hard limit foryou?
Don't know?
We'll get to figure those out ina moment.
Negotiated limits are boundariesthat are mutually agreed upon by
(04:01):
all parties involved.
They result from opencommunication and negotiation,
allowing individuals to engagein BDSM activities within a
consensual framework.
These limits can includespecific activities, intensity
levels, and even time limits forplay sessions.
Triggers are the last type oflimit.
These are involuntary social,mental, or physical responses
(04:25):
you cannot control, nor may noteven know about until they
happen.
Often triggers exist when abuseor trauma has happened to the
individual and your mind willprogram a fight or flight
response when that trigger isactivated.
I don't recommend ignoringtriggers.
It can be related to anything.
from a particular item like abelt or how someone talks or
(04:47):
walks.
I have encountered severaltriggers that Nightmare has had
to work around because I'munwilling to work through them.
You can try to work to lessentriggers, but it requires a
slow, educated approach withsome counseling added to help
with the possible emotionaltrauma.
Section one, why are limitsimportant?
(05:11):
From our first moments, we setor use boundaries to form the
life we lead.
It could start with yourthree-year-old self denying peas
at the table or refusing to playwith a certain toy.
As we grow up, we establish morelimits and boundaries that make
our life comfortable.
The limits you create about sexand BDSM play or relationships
(05:32):
is just a more advanced level ofthese limits.
They are essentially becauseliving inside your limits is
comfortable and welcoming.
Some people even live to pushboundaries and test limits, yet
they know the limits arenecessary and treat them as such
until they are changed orremoved entirely.
Limits protect us and provide uswith clear lines.
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Some are irrational while othersare perfectly rational.
No matter what they are, theycreate a picture for us of what
is safe and fun and what is not.
Let's dispel some of the commonmisconceptions surrounding BDSM
limits.
Myth number one, limits arefixed.
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BDSM limits are not fixed andthey can evolve.
As individuals gain experienceand trust, they may explore or
redefine new boundaries.
Myth number two, limits reflectweakness.
Setting limits does not indicateweakness or a lack of commitment
to BDSM.
It shows self-awareness,empowerment, and a commitment to
(06:39):
personal well-being.
Myth number three, limits areuniversal.
BDSM limits are highlyindividual and can vary
significantly from person toperson.
What may be a hard limit for oneindividual could be a soft limit
or even a preference for someoneelse.
(07:00):
Myth four, limits cannot bepushed.
While consent and boundaries areessential, some individuals may
push their limits gradually andconsensually in a controlled and
safe environment.
Section two, how to figure outyour limits.
Figuring out your boundaries isessential to any BDSM journey,
(07:23):
ensuring everyone involved has asafe and enjoyable experience.
I understand this can be adaunting task, especially for
beginners.
It's essential to engage inself-reflection to understand
your limits.
Take the time to explore yourfantasies, desires, and fears.
Ask yourself what activities andscenarios arouse you and what
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aspects of BDSM intrigue you.
Consider your emotional,physical, and mental boundaries.
Are there any hard limits oractivities you do not want to
engage in?
When you think about the BDSMactivities you've heard about,
are there any that cause anegative gut reaction?
Put them on your hard limitslist.
(08:07):
What are your soft limits?
Activities you are hesitantabout but willing to explore
under certain conditions?
Or are there activities you'reeager to try?
Identifying these limits willprovide a solid foundation for
your BDSM journey.
As a novice submissive, it'simportant to educate yourself
about BDSM and the variousaspects of setting limits.
(08:30):
There are numerous resourcesavailable to help you navigate
this new terrain.
Books, blogs and onlinecommunities dedicated to BDSM
can provide valuable insightsand guidance.
Look for reputable sources thatemphasize consent, safety and
responsible exploration.
These resources can offerpractical advice, personal
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anecdotes and helpful tips forunderstanding and establishing
your BDSM limits.
I'll provide a short list in theshow notes for you.
Remember, knowledge is power.
The more you educate yourself,the better you will be to
navigate the BDSM landscape.
As I've said, open and honestcommunication is the foundation
(09:18):
of any successful BDSMrelationship.
Creating a safe andnon-judgmental space for
conversations is essential whendiscussing limits.
Here are some tips for effectivecommunication and negotiation.
Number one, establish consent.
Consent is at the core of BDSM.
Before engaging in anyactivities, obtain explicit
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consent from all partiesinvolved.
Make sure that consent isenthusiastic, ongoing, and can
be withdrawn at any time.
Number two, Create a safe word.
A safe word is a prearrangedsignal that allows participants
to pause or stop the playimmediately.
It serves as a vital tool forensuring that the emotional and
(10:00):
physical well-being of allinvolved.
This is the preferred method fordeclaring that you've reached a
limit during play, even if thatlimit is pain tolerance, feeling
ill, or an urgent need to stop.
Number three, engage in activelistening.
Actively listen to your partnerand validate their concerns and
boundaries.
(10:21):
Be attentive to nonverbal cuesand body language as they can
provide important insights intosomeone's comfort level.
Number four, use clear anddirect language.
When discussing limits, useclear and direct language to
avoid misunderstandings.
Be specific about what you arecomfortable with and what you
(10:42):
are not.
Number five, Check in regularly.
BDSM limits can evolve.
Make it a habit to check in withyour partner regularly to ensure
that everyone's boundaries arerespected and to address any
concerns or changes in limits.
Once you have done someself-reflection to understand
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your limits better, the nextstep is open communication with
your partner.
Discussing your boundaries,desires, and expectations will
ensure that you and your partnerare on the same page.
When conversing about limits, bespecific and clear about what
you are comfortable with andwhat is off limits.
Use concrete examples andscenarios to establish your
(11:24):
boundaries.
It's crucial to communicate bothyour hard and soft limits.
Remember, your needs and limitsmay evolve over time, so ongoing
communication is essential toensure everyone's needs are met.
A strong foundation of trust andunderstanding will foster a
healthy and consensual BDSMdynamic.
(11:47):
Section 4.
Check in with your limits.
While establishing boundaries atthe beginning of your
exploration is crucial for asafe and consensual experience,
it is equally important torecognize that these limits may
evolve over time.
As you gain more experience anddevelop trust with your dominant
partner, you might find yourselfre-evaluating your limits to
(12:09):
accommodate new desires,experiences, and emotional
growth.
BDSM is a deeply personal andintrospective journey, and as
you delve further into thelifestyle, you may discover
aspects of yourself that werepreviously unknown or hidden.
Engaging in various scenes andexperiences might uncover new
fantasies, interests, orthresholds that you hadn't
(12:31):
considered before.
Embrace this process ofself-discovery without judgment,
allowing yourself to explore andunderstand the motivations and
desires driving your evolutionas a submissive.
To help you in thisself-discovery journey, here are
some specific self-help toolsand strategies to assist you in
re-evaluating your limits.
(12:53):
1.
Journaling Keeping a BDSMjournal can be a powerful tool
for self-reflection andexploration.
Write about your experiences,thoughts, and feelings related
to your BDSM journey.
Use your journal to identify anypatterns or changes in your
desires and limits over time.
(13:15):
Journaling allows you to trackyour progress, understand your
motivations, and gain insightsinto areas you may want to
explore further.
Number two, mindfulness andmeditation.
Practicing mindfulness andmeditation can help you become
more attuned to your emotions,desires, and physical
sensations.
(13:36):
Take time to sit quietly andfocus on your thoughts and
feelings related to BDSM.
Mindfulness can assist you inrecognizing any changes or
shifts in your comfort levelsand can facilitate a deeper
understanding of your evolvinglimits.
It is also good practice tomeditate before you journal.
(13:57):
Number three, self-reflectionquestions.
Ask yourself thought-provokingquestions about your BDSM
experiences and limits.
Examples include, what aspectsof BDSM have I enjoyed the most
and why?
Are there any activities orexperiences that have piqued my
curiosity lately?
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How do I feel about pushingcertain boundaries or exploring
new ones?
Do I have any fears or concernsrelated to evaluating my limits?
If so, what are they and how canI address them?
Number four, seeking externalresources.
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Engage in educational resources,books, blogs, or online forums
dedicated to BDSM andself-exploration.
Hearing about the experiences ofothers can offer new
perspectives and insights thatmay prompt you to reevaluate
your own limits.
Re-evaluating your limits is aprocess that may take time.
Be patient with yourself andavoid rushing into new
(15:02):
experiences without carefulconsideration.
Allow yourself the space toprocess and adjust to new
changes in your desires orcomfort levels.
Remember, there is no right orwrong way to navigate BDSM.
Your limits are unique to youand may change over time as you
gain experience andself-awareness.
(15:24):
Even if you explore all thatBDSM offers, you may still have
limits as firm as the day youfirst learned about them.
Not all limits are meant to bebroken down or overcome.
Some limits will always belimits, and that's okay.
Embrace the opportunity forself-discovery and pleasure as
you unlock the secrets tounderstanding and embracing your
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BDSM limits.
I've really enjoyed talking withyou about discovering and
managing your limits.
If you'd like to talk about yourlimits and other BDSM topics,
join our Discord server and getto know our active, supportive
community there.
I'll provide a join link in thepodcast show notes.
(16:08):
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If you'd like to help us pickthe next topic and get exclusive
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