Hello NightWidow,
You do pose a very good question. However, the answers will be and are different for every submissive. I, as well, am a very strong willed and a strong minded woman in my daily, working life which can make it a bit more difficult to 'cross' over, if you will. For many years I found myself in a state of not knowing. At that point is where I read as much about the lifestyle and submissiveness as well as talking to many Doms. For me, it helped talking to Doms rather than subs as every male, female, Dom/me, sub, switch, etc., is very different. In your journeys into your own submission something will happen, it is inexplainable but you just know this is who you are. Getting to that place will no longer be difficult wanting to stay there and getting back to it again afterwards is whats hard. Subspace is, for me, a magical place that only other subs know. Yes, their Dom/me's know too, they can see it...its written on your face, etched into your eyes, it seeps from your body but only a sub feels the deliciousness of it.
As far as your previous relationship is concerned, you stated you gave and gave and never recieved anything in return. One: This is a realization for you and the type of person this sig other is/was to you may not have been what you needed. Two: Again, in my opinion--submission to a Dom/me is a gift within itself--you satisfy your needs as well as the needs and desires of your Dom/me, and knowing that you are giving Them this is the return. Its the manner in which you give--the sub will always have the most power, if it weren't for you saying, "bind me, collar me, punish me, love me", it would never happen. Submissives have the abilty to seal their own fate. It is an amazing journey and the ups and downs will be well worth it. It has been for me thus far. I bid you farewell and wish you much luck and hope you find what it is you are seeking!
-Lily-