D/s Protocols

Protocols are important directions that are more specific than the Principles and Corollaries and are more clearly demonstrable. Protocols are foundational, continuous, and considered of higher importance than any other specific directives and rituals. While additional protocols will be developed based upon the specific nature of a submissive or relationship, the following protocols will apply to any submissive of mine:

Protocol 1: Honest Transparency
Always be forthcoming, complete and honest with information. This means that whenever a question is asked, answer it immediately and as completely as able. Whenever He might need to know something, share it immediately – even before He inquires. Whenever information (including opinion) shared with Him changes, share the change immediately.

Protocol 2: Use (Un)Common Sense
To be thorough at the risk of being obvious, redundant, or pedantic, here are examples:
a. Do whatever makes the most sense unless He directs differently.
b. Refrain from assuming anything is wrong just because He directs differently.
c. Only permanently change something if He is clear that He wants that. If He expects a permanent change, He will make that clear; He is rarely subtle on stating what He wants. Assume any single direction to do something differently applies only to that instance.
d. Clarify with Him any perceived conflict between two directives.
e. If unsure how He wants something done, ask.
f. Offer any suggestions on how to do things better.

Protocol 3: Honorifics
Use His honorific in semi-private and His given name in mostly public settings for brief responses, requests, and salutations.

Protocol 4: Rituals
Always practice the rituals that have been set at the appropriate time – either for an event or per the time on the clock or calendar.

Protocol 5: Positive Language
Maintain a positive mindset and support it through the language used with oneself and others. Focus on desire rather than difficulty. Expressing what you want (rather than avoid) is a mental shift towards greater joy and success. Challenges become chances and tasks become opportunities. Avoid use of negatives, particularly in regard to His actions or directions.

Protocol 6: Calendar Schedule
Schedule all activities on a shared digital calendar which is subject to His review. Multiple day events or events where attendance is critical to others attending will only be scheduled after His approval is received. Provide all pertinent info in the event descriptions and any relevant links.

Protocol 7: Victuals
Consume only healthy substances (vegetables, lean meats, spices, no more than a couple daily servings of fruits, etc.) Eat a minimum of 3 servings of vegetables per day, with a minimum of 2 non-starches. 3 “cheat meals” are permitted per week, which may include unhealthy items like alcohol, deserts, or abundant grains. Exercise proper restraint with all cheat meals and track them in the daily journal.

Protocol 8: Clothing
Receive approval for all clothing purchased. If collared, His collar will be worn at all times and may only be removed by Him and only for a very compelling reason. He must approve of all, and will choose most of, the clothing worn in His presence. Receive approval for all clothing worn professionally and around Him, coordinated adequately in advance.

Protocol 9: Discussion of Concerns
Any significant but non-urgent relationship concerns will be discussed in person while touching, with His kneeling before Him unless directed otherwise. The conversation will be framed as a shared effort against the problem (rather than each other). Positive intent will be assumed. All discussion will be constructive and edifying, free from blame (absent of victims and villains) and free from shame (no intrinsic deficiencies, only improvement opportunities). Any relationship concern will be discussed first and usually only with Him or pre-approved confidants; the concerns will not be discussed with others unless and until either He directs it or three attempts have been made to address them in private conversation with Him. The conversation will happen at a time that He and His are both prepared to have it; provide Him with some general context when requesting the conversation so He can schedule an appropriate time.