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On Being a Reluctant BDSM Masochist

By Mimsy Borogoves
In Masochism, Submission
July 28, 2018
4 Min Read
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Photo of a riding crop and a paddle

One of my first BDSM experiences was with a guy who bent me over on his couch, lifted up my dress, and spanked me until my ass was red and bruised. I didn’t want him to stop, but was it because I was a masochist or because it made me feel submissive?

It would take me some time to answer that question. While the same guy spanked me during future encounters, it was never with the intensity of that first time. It was simply an accompaniment to other activities, so I didn’t get a clear sense of what I liked about it. (more…)

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BDSM vs. Self-Harm: Understanding the Difference Between Hurt and Harm

By Mimsy and Vagabond
In Health
December 28, 2025
7 Min Read
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Person with scars on arm

As a teenager, Vagabond sought out creative ways to shock himself—with low-voltage electronics, exposed wires, computer parts, you name it. As an adult, Mimsy was in a long-term relationship with a man who used to punch himself until he bruised. To an outside observer, these two behaviors might look very similar. After all, they both involve self-inflicted injury. But for Vagabond, shocking himself to feel sharp, sustained pain was a way to satisfy his masochistic desires, whereas Mimsy’s partner punched himself out of self-loathing and rage. In this post, we’ll explore the distinction between BDSM and self-harm—or, as the kink community might frame it, the distinction between hurt and harm.

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How to Be a Submissive in BDSM: A Beginner’s Guide

By Mimsy and Vagabond
In Basics, How-To Guides, Submission
October 30, 2025
16 Min Read
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woman in lacy bra with wrists in cuffs

If you get turned on by being told what to do in bed, obeying your partner’s commands, or being erotically humiliated, it’s possible you’re a submissive. This is the flip side of the D/s coin, or the “right side of the slash.” Whereas dominants guide the scenes and set the rules, submissives follow their lead. But, like follows in dance, submissives are responsible for maintaining their own frame and balance, making the entire D/s scene and dynamic possible.    

Welcome to Part 2 of our complete guide to D/s, where we’ll be exploring all the ins and outs of being a BDSM submissive. (In Part 1, we did a deep dive into dominance.). In this post, we cover:

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How to be a Dominant in BDSM: A Beginner’s Guide

By Mimsy and Vagabond
In Basics, Dominance, How-To Guides
September 25, 2025
15 Min Read
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Man in a suit slapping a riding crop against his palm

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:

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BDSM for Beginners: The Complete Roadmap

By Mimsy and Vagabond
In Basics, How-To Guides
July 31, 2025
41 Min Read
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Woman leaning against a car looking at a map

Introduction

When you’re new to BDSM (bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism), the amount of information available can be overwhelming and confusing. You might find yourself wondering if BDSM is really for you (we did!), if you can call yourself kinky if you’re not into all the letters in the abbreviation (yes!), or if you’re an imposter if you’re not interested in being someone’s full-time, live-in master or slave (you’re not!).

Welcome to Bound Together’s complete guide to BDSM for beginners. What follows is a practical roadmap for people who want to explore BDSM in the bedroom without adopting what’s known as a 24/7 lifestyle. We’ll cover all the basics:

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A Guide to BDSM Brats and Brat Taming

By Mimsy and Vagabond
In Dominance, How-To Guides, Submission
October 31, 2024
8 Min Read
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Scene from The Breakfast Club of a group of teens sitting in a row sullenly.
A pack of brats.

“This rule is ridiculous,” the brat said, rolling their eyes. “And I’d break it again.”

The dom didn’t disagree. “You told me you want me to hold you accountable, and that’s what I intend to do.”

“Make me!”

With the end of Brat Summer and the dawn of Brat Fall, it’s high time to educate the world about brat play in BDSM. Being a brat is similar to what it sounds like, but in this guide to BDSM brats and brat taming we’ll dive into some of the nuances and complexities that other online resources often ignore. We’ll also continue the brat scene example drawn from real experiences that we started above.

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A guide to BDSM Safety for Bottoms and Subs

By Mimsy Borogoves
In Basics, How-To Guides, Submission
June 29, 2023
7 Min Read
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Man and woman facing each other; woman's hands are handcuffed behind her back.

If you’re a bottom or a sub, you may think your job in BDSM is to follow your dom’s lead. After all, you’re not the one tying people up or dishing out the punishments. But just because you’re not in charge of the scene doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible for understanding what’s happening and doing your part to ensure it goes smoothly. These BDSM safety tips will help you play more safely, stay informed, and have even more fun in your scenes.

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Bondage Rope Roundup

By Mimsy and Vagabond
In Rope
February 20, 2023
6 Min Read
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Originally published Dec. 5, 2018; updated Feb. 20, 2023

Multiple hanks of rope

We earn from qualifying purchases made via some of the links below (at no additional cost to you).

We fell in love with rope bondage at the beginning of our relationship, and it’s still a pivotal part of our play today. When you’re new to bondage, it can be overwhelming. What kind of rope should you buy? How do you decide? This guide is a breakdown of the pros and cons of the myriad types of rope on the market for bondage.

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Bound Together
One couple’s insights into BDSM