There are two schools of thought for using BDSM Checklists.

The first, is for people new to kink to use it as a method of learning. Learning about the world of Kink & BDSM and learning about our own tastes.

As you come across kink and fetish names you’ve likely never heard before, stop and educate yourself. Urban Dictionary and other like sites can be invaluable.

While you may be new to this world, you are still an adult and as such you are responsible for your own safety. The last thing you want to do is to agree to try something you may end up hating, just so you avoid looking ignorant.

You should come back to a checklist periodically: 6 weeks, 6 months, 6 years. See how things change over time.

And while you should not share your checklist with everyone you meet (because a BDSM Dynamic as about more that checking off boxes); once you are in a long term relationship or power dynamic, sharing your checklist is a great way to give your partner a chance to be spontaneous.

The second school of thought, is to first fill out a checklist with your Dominant partner right there. This is quite effective with negotiating CNC or Consensual Non-Consent.

The Dominant partner can not only see what you write, answer questions, provide further definitions (including duplicating activities with one or more conditions); but in being present, the Dom can see your first ‘gut’ reactions.

There are certainly shorter checklists out there, but I believe the more thorough the better.