RSS Feed

Posts Tagged ‘the importance of aftercare’

  1. Naughty Girls Need Aftercare Too

    June 23, 2012 by Nikki Blue

    There was a time in my life when I prided myself on my ability to have no-strings-attached sex. I could fuck like a man. And I was good at it. Whether it was a one night stand that happened after a night of cocktails or an established sexual relationship, I was able to disconnect myself emotionally. It was just sex, nothing more. That’s what I told myself anyway. I refused to be seen as a needy piece of ass, albeit a fantastic one. I thought that allowing myself to be held close after sex, showed weakness. And I was anything but weak.

    Truth be told, I didn’t understand the importance of aftercare until I met Heather and I began to unravel the twisted threads of my life that had been shoved into a box and buried. I didn’t even know there was a name for it. I didn’t know that it was an essential component of being made to feel safe. And I definitely didn’t think it applied to me. I was wrong.

    I needed the aftercare that I’d spent my life resisting. I needed it when I felt exposed and vulnerable after the handcuffs had been removed from my wrists that secured me to the bed. And I needed it after I was spanked bare-handed until I was sore and bruised. But I would have chewed my tongue off before admitting it.

    I can’t help but wonder if my life would’ve been different had I accepted aftercare on the occasions it was offered. Would I have been less guarded with my emotions? It’s hard to say. Would the struggle to understand my desires have been less painstaking? Possibly. Maybe if I had allowed more intimacy into my sexual relationships trust would have followed and I would’ve felt a sense of wholeness. Maybe my mistakes would’ve been fewer as I searched for answers. Just maybe, I would’ve been happier.

    I finally realized I needed aftercare the first time the overwhelming need to please my partner swept over me. His warm breath on the back of my neck gave me chills as he wrapped his fingers around my wrists. I wasn’t expecting the submissive in me to be unleashed as I gave him the part of my body he worships the most. But it happened. As I lay curled against him with my fingers tangled in the hair of his chest, I understood that allowing him to hold me close while reassuring me that I was a good girl didn’t make me weak or needy. It made me human.

    Our relationship wouldn’t work without those moments of raw intimacy. It’s what keeps me feeling safe with him. And that safety is what allows me to trust him with everything I am. I know that no matter how far he pushes me, he’ll respect me. And he’ll always give me the aftercare I need.

     

     

     

    Category Kinky Sex | Tags: ,, | 6 Comments

  2. Ask Heather: The Importance of Aftercare

    June 19, 2012 by Heather Cole

    Dear Heather:

    My partner and I are beginning to explore more dominant/submissive roles in the bedroom. We’re experimenting and like to switch who is dominant, but she really gets off submitting and allowing me to do “whatever I want.” We have a couple fantasies we’d like to enact, and we have our safewords picked out. I was wondering if you have some suggestions about what we should (or shouldn’t) do as beginners to kink.

    Thanks,
    Anonymous

    Dearest Anon:

    First let me say congratulations! Exploring and being open sexually to the needs and desires of your partner (and knowing yourself) are a wonderful start. Keep up the good work, because open communication in the bedroom is crucial to a fulfilling sex life. Choosing a safeword is also important. Remember, if there’s a gag involved in your fantasy or the person submitting can’t vocalize for some reason, make sure that you have a hand signal that acts as your safeword.

    What I can’t stress enough is aftercare. That’s right…AFTERCARE. My darling Anon, if you don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, don’t fret. Many people don’t know about this crucial piece of good sex play. Aftercare is so important that absolutely everyone, regardless of sexual preferences, should practice it. What I’m saying, Anon, is that those moments after your fantasy has run its course, when you’re together in the aftermath of orgasm glow and bodily fluids, hold her close and tell her how fucking amazing she is. Personally, I think everyone should do that after sex. Heaven knows that I didn’t do it enough in my twenties. If I could, I’d go back in time and thank every one of my sexual partners. Even that quickie in the bathroom.

    In the world of kink, aftercare is supposed to be the last part of every scene. In fact, many submissives include it in their negotiation of a scene as an essential aspect of their play. After the excitement and fun, the resulting vulnerability for a submissive can be scary if they’re not tended to after the scene. Some submissives want to be held and stroked, others want to be left alone and untouched until they’re out of subspace. It can be anything really, just make sure you ask your partner what she needs after all is said and fucked…er, done.

    Here’s an example: Last month M celebrated my birthday with me, and I had a special, super-intense scene which I had requested. M likes to surprise me, and not only was this scene longer than usual, but not one kind word escaped his lips. I was beaten in my most tender places. He took a cane to my thighs if I cried, and I swear he left me alone for what seemed an eternity. (I was blindfolded and tied so time was unreliable.)  At the end of my birthday scene, I used my safeword because I had convinced myself that M hated me. His mindfuck was that superb. I was physically and emotionally undone. Imagine a puddle of crying goo. That was me.

    As soon as the safeword was out of my mouth, I was unhooked from my bonds. The blindfold came off, and I curled into the fetal position on the bed. I was sobbing into my hands when I felt the bed dip behind me. M slid his arms around me and held me, murmuring that I was such a good pet for enduring what I did. That he was proud of me and loved me. Gradually I stopped crying and relaxed into his embrace. I have a favorite position with my arms tucked to my chest and my face buried in his neck as he wraps his strong arms around me. I floated in subspace, and M reassured me. His excellent aftercare was what enabled me to continue being completely open with him.

    Anon, it sounds like you and your partner are giving this a lot of thought, for which I commend you. And I say this to all our readers: aftercare shouldn’t be an option, it should be a requirement. If you have one ounce of respect for your partner, whether it’s an hour of fun or a lifetime commitment, take care of that person. Tell them thank you for getting your rocks off. Ultimately, we’re sharing a connection. Honor it.

    Yours in sexual matters,

    xo Heather

    Category BDSM | Tags: ,, | 7 Comments