This week's video tip is on the BDSM Checklist.

If you've just started out in BDSM and have asked a few questions, it is very likely that you have been directed to use a checklist to become familiar with what you may or may not like in play and roles and fetishes. If you haven't seen a checklist before I'm going to include a list of links to a few at the end of this video.

A checklist can be very helpful for you when you are first starting out. You can learn what you might like to try and get answers to things you don't know about. Some of the more detailed checklists can seem overwhelming but please realize that you don't have to like everything. Pick and choose and be honest.

When you first fill out a checklist you may not know what some of the items are. Make sure you ask questions about them to someone you know that can answer them. Mark how interested you are with it and if you have any concerns. If you don't know someone, feel free to send me an email at subguide@gmail.com or come to the site and ask via the contact page. I'd be happy to clarify some of the activities.

You may also have a checklist that requires that you put down your medical restrictions or anything that might be a trigger from past abuse or trauma. These are very good to know and share with a play partner so that they can be prepared if you happen to trigger but also to prevent that from happening. I have a trigger with belts, so they are essentially banned from play and even as time elapses, may never enter my play. Who knows. Learn your limits and be honest about them.

Your checklist should be kept in your training resume and updated as time goes on. I updated mine every few months or so when I was first starting out. Now that I'm in a committed relationship the checklist seems less important, but I still have it. It may be interesting to see how you develop and explore.

Do you know of a checklist that you like? Share it in the comments!