Hi Papillon,

I think you may have answered your own question. If you are not feeling "anything", then you are blocking out the experience.

Is it normal...? Perhaps a better question would be, it is an expected reaction? Yes.

Not everyone gets off on pain.
Do you like it?
In little bits? A lot? At all?

If not, then remember there are many other delicious things to submit to that don't require actual pain.

Tickle tortures, feathers, teasing, stroking, .... the list goes on and on. In the role of the sub, you are submitting to your partner's will. And hopefully, you are both getting excited about what's going on.

If pain doesn't excite you, then the two of you can explore what it is that does.

You might be into sensual domination, where your partner blindfolds you, feeds you, has you experience your senses all under her control.

Or where your partner commands you not to move while doing delightful things to you. (Not as easy as it sounds.)

Have fun with your explorations.

Ruby