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Author Topic: Self-care [for sex workers]  (Read 8134 times)

seraphine

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Self-care [for sex workers]
« on: 24 February 2018, 12:23:59 am »
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« Last Edit: 28 January 2019, 06:10:37 pm by 80s synthetic »

amy

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #1 on: 24 February 2018, 01:14:23 am »
I watch Netflix and eat Maltesers :D

To keep it relevant to the forum, I think knowing your limits booking wise and staying within them (or at least making a conscious decision to hammer it if you want to dor a particular reason) is the most important part of keeping healthy. A big part of that is recognising that other people's limits are not the same as yours and learning to tune out people who endlessly bang on about doing 15 (or 2!) bookings a day if it's not for you.

Possibly the least useful and constructive thing I can think of to do is sitting around agonising about what I feel like - it sounds unbelievably tedious and self obsessed and I can't honestly see it doing anything except making things worse. Obviously everybody's different and I'm just not that fascinating a subject to spend hours thinking about, but I'd much rather get out in the fresh air and engage with the real world :).

DaisyDuck

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #2 on: 24 February 2018, 06:29:49 am »
I try to do a lot of bookings every day. Sometimes the phone doesn't cooperate, but if it's ringing, I'll try to be ready to take advantage.

In order to do this and maintain my sanity, I set rather strict working hours. I go to the gym and the grocery store every morning and I don't check my phone until my starting time. (Either 9 or 10 am, I need more sleep in the winter.) I tell clients "I answer my phone from 9 and take bookings from 10." I get asked for bookings at 9 a lot and I have to turn them down. I can't be ready that early without skipping something out like exercise or buying my food. I even like to have an hour to just relax on my bed - I'm often back in my room by 8. My mornings are important to me.

I keep high-protein food in my room so I can get through the day without getting hangry.

I am choosy about whom I see. Once I decide that I don't like the sound of someone, they're blocked.

seraphine

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #3 on: 24 February 2018, 09:25:44 am »
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« Last Edit: 28 January 2019, 06:10:53 pm by 80s synthetic »

Justine

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #4 on: 24 February 2018, 09:40:28 am »
Lots of brisk walking in the fresh air is a must for me. I am a sad bitch because I know how many steps it is to the High Street and back, no need for a step counter as I have various destinations all counted so know I can do my 10k steps a day or near enough.  Longer and proper walks from time to time too but I have a companion to share that with when we get our free time synchronized. I can cleanse myself of frustrations of the job and she likes to listen and give her input which I value very much.

The important thing about my solo walking is that I sort my head out when doing it and come close to talking aloud to myself which has not yet got me carted off to the nearest care home, which seem to be on every corner where I live! 

I never thought of it all as self care but I suppose that is what it is.

GG

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #5 on: 24 February 2018, 10:50:19 am »
I definitely need time alone to get my head straight and not have to engage with people. I also like driving with the music on full blast x
GG x

barbie88

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #6 on: 24 February 2018, 11:13:27 am »
I started working for agencies 9 years ago I would work some stupid hours hardly had time for my self all bout the money and you dont realise how tiered your body gets I used to feel Lonely then I became Indie and would work from home and would tour some times I used to find my self become anti social and get down then 5 years ago I got a dog and he was like the best thing ever for me havent felt alone since . I see tours as little holidays for me and my dog but with the odd visitor ha . I usually work from 7 am till 8 pm when Im touring and in between clients Im out walking my dog I no longer feel anti social I got on little seaside holidays and relax alot .

I also love a good pamper my hair doing , my nails love a nice spa day and a glass of fizz in my hand . I did see a councellour a couple of years ago she works with sex workers and she was great . I look after my well being well all I have found that as I have got older I have got more paranoid bout safety . x

LotusFlower

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #7 on: 24 February 2018, 04:56:02 pm »
It's very important to take care of yourself in order to thrive in this job.

I like to go for a massage once a week, or every second week. I get manicures and pedicures. Ok, it's mainly for work purposes but also very relaxing to sit and do nothing for 2 hours every week. I have started meditating again, which is wonderful to zone out and not focus on one particular thing. I also eat a very "healthy" diet which reduces the risk of me feeling like shit.

This week, I only worked 2 days (2 very full days) but as it was on the back of my days from last week's, I actually worked 5 days in a row, which is not good for me. I was scheduled to work a third day this week as I had an apartment, but as I had nothing solid scheduled and I was very tired, I decided to take the day off. I also hit my target by day 2 this week so I didn't feel guilty about not working. In the past, I would have ignored the warning signs of being too tired and worked away anyway but now I am very conscious of pushing myself too far and I am reluctant to do it.

Know your limits.
Eat and drink enough.
Exercise if you want to.
Pamper yourself now and again.
Do something that requires zero mental effort.

Oh and something else I have learned: don't squander your money because it can make you feel like you are working hard for absolutely zero return.

Scottish Emily

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #8 on: 24 February 2018, 05:43:59 pm »
I always get my acrylic nails done. I go for massages and I love little treats like bath bombs or face masks. I listen to music. At work I'm more fussy about who I see. If I don't like the sound of them I don't see them rather than giving them the benefit of the doubt. I eat 90% nutritious, healthy food and I go for walks. I have a limit of the amount of clients I will see in a day. Before even when tired and worn out I used to keep working then ended up over tired and feeling crap.
« Last Edit: 24 February 2018, 05:46:55 pm by Scottish Emily »

Kay

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #9 on: 24 February 2018, 06:14:59 pm »
I honestly don't have the time to worry about stuff like this! If I'm not busy with civvy work I always have a long to do list of stuff in the house etc.

I keep my sex work enjoyable by only providing the services I like, working when it suits me, and screening heavily.
"There is no sin except stupidity" - Oscar Wilde

sultress000

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #10 on: 24 February 2018, 07:08:29 pm »
I honestly don't have the time to worry about stuff like this! If I'm not busy with civvy work I always have a long to do list of stuff in the house etc.

I keep my sex work enjoyable by only providing the services I like, working when it suits me, and screening heavily.
The point of self care is that you prioritise you for a change!! Do something just for you that isn't work or for anyone else

hollyrose5

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #11 on: 24 February 2018, 09:06:01 pm »
Weekly nail appointments,buying little goodies for outside work like new dresses and candles (yankee junky)

I gym 2 times a week and see my closest friends for lunches and cocktails a couple of times a week!

I feel so lucky because i have several amazing clients i see regularly which never feels like work!xx

amy

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #12 on: 24 February 2018, 09:25:01 pm »
The point of self care is that you prioritise you for a change!! Do something just for you that isn't work or for anyone else

I can't and won't try to speak for Kay, but I'm pretty sure I know what she means. I already prioritise myself twenty four hours a day and seven days a week just by living my life. This means I don't tend to think of 'self care' as a separate and specific activity complete with twee made-up name, because I'm too busy doing it.

Meetingdiversity

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #13 on: 24 February 2018, 10:12:02 pm »
Self care for me is cutting  down 50% of escorting feeling peace having other things to aspire to. We all interpret self care differently, also mindful thinking.


seraphine

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Re: Self-care [for sex workers]
« Reply #14 on: 24 February 2018, 10:30:44 pm »
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« Last Edit: 28 January 2019, 06:10:21 pm by 80s synthetic »