Hiding in Plain Sight While Living in a D/s Relationship

Do you hide portions of your life, even from yourself? Do you fear confiding in your best friend or lover about a secret desire, one he or she might think far too kinky or worse? I think we all do. We become involved in our routines and maintaining the persona we are that we forget to let go and enjoy life. I loathe not being completely me, but the fact of life is, few can.

Life has certainly been difficult as of late, both personally and professionally. I’m embarking on several new aspects of my life, and pretty much everything I know is rocky. As the real girl, I’m actually looking at the possibility of a new job and as such, I had to think about my Internet presence. As you well know, once you’re out there in written format, you’re always going to be there, every aspect in blazing color. No matter how you try and delete or destroy information, there’s always a way to retrieve. Sometimes, when you post a blog or a You tube video, as you know, the information goes viral. When it’s also shared, well, there is little you can do to pull back the beast.

Being an erotic writer is one thing and in truth, there are many people who look at the kind of writing as just a step above porn. For various conservative groups, being associated with someone who writes such smut is akin to being hooked up with the Devil. Right? I laugh and it’s all a bit tongue in cheek, however perceptions can be detrimental to many. So, I try and keep my profile and Cass separate from the real girl as much as possible. That’s not always easy. Given Bethany, the real girl, is also the Managing Director of two Imprint lines with Booktrope, a company she’s also going to have her books written as Cass with, well you can see the quandary.

Now, add in the fact I hold nothing back in my writing about the D/s lifestyle in my books and blogs, including what I’ve shared with John Patrick… What I realized years ago was that people will always gossip and question, look down upon those who live a lifestyle they can’t understand. I don’t shy away from letting people see the real me with a huge majority of my life, including my values and beliefs. Everyone has them. I can’t tolerate prejudice or bigotry, but there will always be aspects of the damning idiocies in our lives. You simply can’t get away from intolerance and ignorance.

I happened upon another blog site where they were talking about couples involved in a D/s lifestyle and how they literally were hiding. I started thinking about this, realizing how sad the concept is. You really have to hide in front of family and friends? You have to pretend you’re something you’re not. I think a more positive terminology is a requirement for a balancing act. One of the many conversations John Patrick and I have had centered around how easy it is for so many to maintain the status quo, maintain the norm. Within regard to sharing any kind of a relationship with another, you’re already juggling to stay afloat. Just because you’re in a D/s relationship doesn’t mean you aren’t required to maintain various responsibilities.

D/s couples have a very vanilla side. Are rules imposed around various aspects of behavior even though the act or attribute might be based in creamy white vanilla? You bet. Very few people I know don’t have to pay bills. If one of your rules is not to over spend, are you going to tell your best gal pal your Dom imposed this rule and if broken you’re going to receive a spanking?

Well, I suppose the argument could be that if she were such a good friend, why doesn’t she know you’re a submissive? The simple answer? To keep the peace. I have no issue sparring with my BFF about men, assholes, wretched bosses, asshole men (LOL) and almost any other subject. While she knows the inner girl, she doesn’t understand and believes women should be equal. We agree to disagree. But we’re friends. What happens if the person who finds out is determined to tell your dirty little secret? What then?

That’s certainly something John Patrick has worried about, not with his best friend of course. I’ve already told you that his buddy kinda thinks the whole BDSM and D/s adventure JP and I have been on is cool. He continues to ask a few questions and when I tease him, I can hear the glitch in his voice or see the hesitation in his texting. Finding the right come back can be difficult! I’ve asked JP, why worry so much? His answer is always simple, the knowledge could ruin his career, create rifts with various family members, even potentially taking away a significant portion of his livelihood. In know, at what price happiness. Should this be the case? Well, of course not, but in a country where bullies still exist and thrive, I certainly understand the notion of hiding in plain sight.

So we do as Dom’s and submissives. I’ve told maybe three people (other than the thousands on my blog of course) that my gorgeous silver choker is actually a collar. I suppose that’s on a ‘need to know’ basis. I laugh at times given the people I work with are so ultra conservative. I made the mistake of using the term ‘flogger’ in the office I think two or three times and you’d have thought I killed and skinned a pig. People were so incensed. Really? I’ve actually opened about the author to a select few as well, although my bosses know. Now you can see why. Burning at the cross may still occur.

I continue to carry a butt plug in my purse, one with a shiny jeweled end. Have there been times I’ve pulled out the velvet bag while looking for something else, all in front of a co-worker. You bet, but I’m not going to pull the silver plug out and swirl it in the air – although I’ve been damn tempted. I’d love to yank their chains, sully their horizons so to speak. But I don’t and why? To keep the peace. I have enough strife at work as it is. My job is very stressful, hence the desire to change. The last thing I want to do is add additional tension. So, I remain quiet and share very little about myself.

JP is very much the same way. His buddy was telling me the others he works with see him as a dark guy, but no one has any understanding of the man inside. JP very much stands on the fringe, his observations spot on. He doesn’t want others to know his business – or so he says. The happiest he’s ever been has been when he felt safe enough to share the joys of our D/s journey. He keeps his secret locked tightly away, often in the very same compartment and box he slips me into.

Is this any different than in a vanilla relationship? Not really. We all have secrets, worries and fears we keep locked away from others. The gut wrenching anxiety of being ridiculed or chastised prevents so many of us from being ourselves. Still, I suppose practicality must come into play. Without the job and bills being paid, you wouldn’t have the house to live in and share your journey. Everyone wears a mask from time to time. There’s no way of avoiding. I only hope you can rip away the mask to yourself and your partner. JP and I know all the good and ugly about each other – and think of it – we’re still talking! LOL. Find someone you can be yourself with. Hiding in plain sight might be okay. Hiding forever isn’t.

Kisses and spanks…

Cassandre