I've been getting a lot of questions lately about what I'm going to do re; my future. A lot of people still don't seem to think that I left my office job for another job; they think I just quit to be unemployed. "What are you going to do now that you don't have a job?" "Have you thought about looking at a government job?" "So are you just taking a couple months off before looking for another job, or?"
It's clear that they don't see what I do as being work. It's always a really frustrating conversation - it makes me feel like my work isn't valid or real just because I'm not doing it in an office setting. I then go into a spiral of "oh my god, what AM I going to do!?" before I have to remind myself that just because they don't see what I do as legitimate, doesn't mean it isn't. Don't get me wrong, I've had some really supportive people in my corner who've been amazing, but I can't seem to shake all the comments about now being unemployed.
People don't seem to recognize how much work goes into being a content creator - they just see it as an easy cash grab side hustle that anyone can do and make bank with. But it's more than just taking a couple photos and putting them up online. I do PR and marketing, communications, customer service, editing, photography, modelling, website design, performance, etc. I spend so much emotional energy talking to subscribers and potential subscribers. I absolutely love it, but it is definitely not always easy when you're having a bad day. I honestly don't know how I was juggling both jobs at once - I guess I wasn't, really, which is why I hit a burnout point .
I'm still not going full speed ahead yet, exactly because of that pesky little burnout feeling. I'm giving myself a couple week to readjust and lay low for a bit so I can make sure I take care of myself and get back to a place where I have the energy and the right mindset for work. That said, that hasn't stopped me from creating a new weekly work schedule to keep myself in line and accountable, brainstorming new ideas and most importantly, writing out my goals.
This is the first time in my career where I've ever felt like I actually had specific goals of where I want to be in 3 months, 6 months, a year. I've never been much for 5 year plans. I mean, hell, the world is on fire - how am I supposed to know what's going to happen in 2 years? I was making some stew this afternoon and thought "maybe this is why my life always feels so directionless career-wise. Because I don't have a solid 5 year plan." But the more I think of it, maybe it's just because I didn't see myself in those careers for that long? Maybe it's because I knew I hadn't found "my calling" yet?
I'm already more passionate and excited about sex work than anything I've ever really done. I feel inspired by new things all the time, I get excited about sitting in on webinars on LoyalFans, I scout locations for potential shoots on my off-time, I set and celebrate goals in a way I've never done before. I still get excited getting dressed up for a shoot or when I get a custom order. I hope it comes across to everyone just how much I genuinely enjoy my work. I'm honestly so excited to see where the future takes me with this. I truly think that, with the right amount of dedication and work, I can really make this something successful. I've already had my expectations exceeded - my subscribers are so amazing and make me feel like a goddess every day. The amount of support I've received has been over and above what I'd ever expected, and I am so grateful that I set my fears aside 7 months ago and entered the world of content creation and sex work.
I can't wait to make some changes, implement some new and exciting services and offerings, and invest in myself. What are some things you'd like to see me include in the future? I want to hear from you! xo