Many subs before me have written on this topic, so I’ll admit right away that this thought is in no way original. Even so, I find myself musing this morning about “freedom.” And since this is my blog, for me to write down what’s on my mind, here it is.
When I came to realize that I am submissive, it meant embracing certain aspects of my personality that are at odds with present-day American culture. I was thinking again about my friend with the balloons and the value he places on freedom. I was thinking about women who don’t want anyone to have power over them. I was thinking about women who complain that their boyfriends are too possessive. And I was thinking about how different I am from these people, and from women in general in 2013. And about how, to them, my preferences are incomprehensible.
How can I explain it to them? How can I make them understand that “freedom” to me is unpleasant? How could I ever explain the depth of my longing for a certain captivity and confinement? How weird is it to actually want a man to be possessive and controlling? What modern American woman in her right mind would want to be owned, and would willingly — no, not willingly, joyously — surrender her freedom, allowing a man to control her and take away her right to make her own choices and decisions?
I don’t mean to say that it’s an absolute. It’s not submission unless it is freely given, and clearly, I had to have some degree of personal liberty so that I could choose to submit, and to whom. He did not take that from me against my will; I gave it to him. But to focus on that element is to miss what I’m trying to say.
For me, in the context of a D/s relationship, to surrender my freedom and give it away to the Master I love and trust is the ultimate thrill. I want him to overpower me. I want him to control me. The more of my freedom he takes from me, the better I like it. The more possessive and controlling he is, the happier I am. I don’t want to be equals. I want to be less than him. I want him to be first. I want him to be above me, more than me, ahead of me. I want him to be in charge of me. I want him to take all my power… except the power to give up my power to him.
The weird thing is that the tighter he holds me, the freer I feel. In fact, I need him to hold on really tight or else I don’t feel free at all. All those years when I was an equal partner, a self-empowered woman, in charge of my own life, I was vastly unhappy, and I felt chained and trapped and confined in a way that I no longer feel. Submitting to my Master, surrendering my control to him, makes me feel happy and gives me so much more pleasure than “freedom” ever did.
I don’t know why I’m wired this way. But I am. Giving up my life to his control is what sets me free.
the space between 
Intelligent, considered post
Thank you very much, Sir, and thank you for reading.
Women giving up control puts them at risk for abuse. We have to be responsible for ourselves and not let anyone else have power over us. I am in charge of myself, I am my own caretaker, and I’m not going to let any man be in a position to control me. We have to be strong and stand up for ourselves. That’s just how I see it.
ilovethedark, I hear the echoes of a painful past in your words. I am sorry for any suffering you may have endured. I completely agree that women need to be careful and self-protective in their relationship choices. You are strong and in charge – good for you! I applaud you, my sister! I think most people will tell you that I, too, am strong. Submission is definitely not the same thing as weakness. It takes courage. It also must be a thoughtful choice. I made a carefully considered decision, of my own free will, with clarity of mind, heart and conscience. My submission to Walter was a choice, and I took my time with it. I had to know that he was worthy of my trust. He proved it to me. I can only submit to him, because I know I can trust him. I submit to no one else.
I do not recommend submission as a lifestyle choice for women in general. It is just the way that some of us are wired. And only worthy Dominants eventually earn our trust and our submission.
I wish you well and hope that you find what you seek.
Cam, you write so eloquently my thoughts and feelings..thank you for expressing them. A wonderful post