Ever felt the pull to take charge in the bedroom? To be the one who guides the experience, sets the rules, and is responsible for your partner’s pleasure and surrender? You might have a dominant inside you waiting to come out.
Among all the facets of BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism), dominance and submission (D/s) is arguably the most widely practiced, and it’s easy to see why. Giving and taking control (power exchange) doesn’t require fancy toys or gear—it’s mental. And while it may seem simple, doing it well takes more than instinct.
Welcome to Part 1 of our complete guide to D/s. To kick off this series, we’re doing a deep dive into the left side of the slash to explore the dominant mindset. We cover:
- What is healthy dominance? (and what it isn’t)
- How do you know if you’re a dominant?
- 5 common BDSM dominant archetypes
- How to express dominance: methods and skills
- 5 practical exercises to build your dominant presence
- Overcoming common dominant barriers
- Red flags: How to spot (and avoid being) a “bad dom”
- Next steps in your journey as a dominant
- Recommended reading and resources
