There was a time when I first discovered my interest in BDSM, where I dove in head first and wanted everyone to know. But then I realized most people would not react well, and then I felt I was lying to my friends and family about who I was, and I let that feeling drive a wedge between me and everyone around me.

Eventually the novelty wore off and reality found it's way back to my mind. There are things you just don't talk to your mother about when you sit down over coffee. <grin> I love my mom, but I don't want to know about her bedroom escapades, and I think I should perhaps do her the same favor and keep mine to myself.

I think perhaps at first I felt it wouldn't be real unless I could confirm it by telling others about it.

But now I'm pretty content. I'm in a fantastic relationship now where I'm comfortable being myself around him in all of my kinkiness. I can tell him things that I never thought I'd be comfortable talking about. Between him and my writing, I no longer feel the need to tell the world.

But if I just happen to run across someone that shows an interest in talking about it, I'm game, I'm not going to pretend I don't like it.