Submission comes in so many ways it is indeed a very personal thing. Personally I love “given submission” I find it connecting. With that said I like play that involves bondage, spanking, name calling the usual run of things. But to me those activities constitute role play and really have little to do with submission they are separate. Not being a pain slut does not make you less of a submissive, simply wearing a collar can be a wonderful representation of your submission and have nothing to do with being tied and spanked.
Bottom line is this, it’s your live and your lifestyle…you get to define it. Go for it, embrace it and learn from each other.