top of page
  • Writer's pictureWillow Raven

How Being Willow Changed My Life for the Better

Updated: Oct 31, 2022


When I was in high school, I once had a girl I worked with tell me that I was the most negative person she had ever met. I took it so personally, but brushed it off as her not knowing me well enough or that I was only miserable because I hated my retail barista job. Looking back, I think she had a point. I was always so pessimistic and cynical. - the first to point out why something wouldn't work, or why it was bad, actually.


At the time, I thought I was the sassy barista stereotype that people got a kick out of, but now that I'm older, I see that being that way was draining, not just for me, but others as well. I'm sad to think about how many years I spent shooting ideas down, bringing up the worst possible outcome, and generally being, well, negative and cranky.


It wasn't until recently that I began to acknowledge that this part of me was toxic - but it also finally dawned on me that this wasn't an immutable aspect of myself. I was able to be a more positive, optimistic person, and this would make me - and everyone else - a lot happier.


What changed?


Well, medications to treat my depression and anxiety certainly didn't hurt. But one of the major factors, was being Willow Ravenâ„¢. While I'm pretty similar to Work-Me, I tried to be a bit more approachable than I'd usually be in real life: I smiled more in photos (which is something I used to never do), I used more exclamation points with strangers, I made a concerted effort to not post negative things online, and y'know what? People seemed to really like this version of me. But most importantly - I started feeling happier more often, I started having more energy, making new friends, and having fewer depressive episodes.


They say fake it 'til you make it, but I didn't realize just how effective it would truly be. Sex work reminded me of working retail a bit - being forced to be in a good mood around customers would usually mean I left work in a better mood than I came in. But with this job, I'm never really off the clock. So being positive and happier became my default, and eventually, I realized I wasn't having to remind myself to smile, or to be nice and enthusiastic - it became second nature. It's almost like it unlocked a newer, better version of me.


There are so many things that sex work has brought me - independence, confidence, financial freedom. But most importantly, it's brought me happiness and a genuine shift to being a more optimistic and positive person. And y'know what? The world is filled with negativity, I'm happy I'm contributing to it less and less every day. It's nice to be nice.

206 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page