Confession from a Retail Worker's Heart

I'm a retail worker in my mid-twenties. I've always felt like there was something off about me, but it wasn't until I started playing little that I understood what I needed. My boyfriend and I have been together for two years now, and he knows the kind of person I am, so we've tried different things to spice up our relationship. Sometimes, when I feel really down or stressed out at work, I need to be taken care of like a child would. He understands that it's just a phase, but also that it helps me get through tough times. It started one night after a particularly bad day at the store. I came home and told him I needed to feel protected, to have someone take charge and make decisions for me. He was hesitant at first because he isn't into age-play, but once I explained how much it meant to me and that we could always stop if either of us felt uncomfortable, he agreed. That night was so different from any other. We dimmed the lights and he took on a strict role as my caregiver, making rules about bedtimes and curfews, like the ones I never had when I was younger but wished for. There were no sweets or treats; it felt both punishing and comforting at the same time. And yes, there were some explicit acts that came with this - he would touch me in ways I wouldn't allow myself to otherwise because I knew these roles let us explore things we normally wouldn't. I feel ashamed about it sometimes, but I also know deep down how important those moments are for my mental health. I wish others could understand the value of role-playing as a coping mechanism without judgment.