You’ve probably heard the age-old advice to prioritize your self-care, stay hydrated, and create balance between work and downtime. But as a content creator, how do you achieve the kind of balance that helps you maintain your mental health and build a sustainable lifestyle?
(And we don’t mean the kind where you automatically respond, “I’m good, you?” when someone asks…)
Below, we’re sharing some work-life balance tips to help our Model community feel grounded, empowered, and on top of your task list:
A dedicated workspace with an end of day ritual
Working from home is the dream for many, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges! When our work is physically close to us, like when we can see our laptop or recording equipment from the corner of our eye, it can remain close to us mentally too - which makes it difficult to completely switch off.
Whether it’s a room for filming where you can close the door once you are finished, or perhaps a dedicated corner that’s set up for your next scene, having a defined workspace can help create better work-life balance and assist relaxation once you’re done for the day. You can even create a specific action or ritual that signals this transition for your brain, such as closing your laptop and putting it in a drawer or packing away your lube and toys.
If it’s not possible to create a workspace that’s separate from your living space, it can still help to put your equipment away until its next use so you can exit work mode and enter personal time – whether that’s as a parent, partner or individual.
Set clear boundaries
Content creation allows you to be your own boss, form a community of like-minded individuals, and share your creative skills. Setting clear boundaries helps many entrepreneurs and Models maintain energy and motivation.
Decide what you are comfortable with, take a mental note or write it down, and try to stick to it somewhat diligently. For example, the number of hours you’d like to work each week, the amount of interaction you want to have with your fans, and how much of your life you are happy to share online.
Discovering how to balance work and life as a content creator is a journey of self-discovery in itself, and these decisions will be different for everyone. By defining what’s important to you, it will help you achieve the work-life balance you desire.
Keep your private life as private as you want
It can be nerve-wracking to share aspects of your life with fans and have them publicly displayed for the online world to participate in.
As a content creator, it’s completely up to you how much of your personal life you keep private. When marketing yourself, share as much or as little as you want on social media posts or private chats, and don’t be afraid to set firm boundaries with fans. This might look like disengaging with fans or blocking them when they make inappropriate comments or requests.
We know dealing with trolls can be difficult, especially for new Models. Here’s a few words of wisdom from workshop wizard TheRealKittyD on Pornhub Discord:
“I know it’s not an easy thing to just ignore, but it IS important to remember that trolls are just that…trolls. Nobody is immune to negative comments. You can be the kindest, most generous and caring person on earth, and someone will try to get under your skin. After 10 years of dealing with this I have found the best way to deal with it is to not play into it.”
- Read full Model Spotlight on self-esteem and sex work with TheRealKittyD here.
When it comes to your security, we also urge Models to ensure they never have any personally identifiable information in their videos. This could be clues to where you live, graduation certificates, street signs or family photos.
To learn more about keeping yourself safe, don’t miss our latest video series in collaboration with The Cupcake Girls! Here, you can find exclusive knowledge from top models Cherie Deville and Sofia Rose on how to safely shoot your own content and top tips for working with talent agencies. Because there’s really no better advice than from those who have been there and learned the lessons first-hand!
Take regular ‘no camera’ days
As creators, a large part of the job is to continuously evaluate your strengths, film and edit your content, and brainstorm ideas for your next scenes. When we’re passionate about our work, it can sometimes leave less time for other thoughts or hobbies, like realizing how far you’ve come or reading a book before bedtime.
Taking a weekend off from content creation - and social media in general - can help reestablish your sense of self outside of your online persona and find purpose in other elements of life. At Pornhub, we know how time-intensive creating content can be. That’s why it’s sometimes important to take a step back, so you can recharge and gain new perspective or ideas.
Implement time management and automation tools
Building your business is also about finding ways to prioritize what needs to happen next. From videos and editing to filing taxes and marketing, there’s no shortage of work on your to-do list. Prioritizing the tasks that align with your short and long-term goals will save time and keep you on track to achieve those goals. It can be helpful to write a task list each evening (maybe even part of your end of day ritual) so when you wake up, you know exactly what you need to do to move closer to your goals.
Time-blocking and automation tools are another great technique to streamline your task list. You might want to dedicate one hour for filming in the morning, an entire afternoon for editing, and 20 minutes to upload your video through our Model Program and scheduling tools. You can also push SFW marketing posts out in apps like Planoly or Later to promote them on social media.
Work schedules are typically 8 hours per day for many people so that you have time to enjoy hobbies and get a good night’s rest. Trying to do too much at once can lead to burnout and affect the quality (and performance) of your content.
Manage stress in a way that’s right for you
Not everyone likes to hit the gym three days a week or go for a run in the morning! Managing stress is like developing your own personal blueprint. Take the time to find what works for you, whether it’s Saturday morning yoga or cooking a new recipe once per week, and put systems in place that help keep you grounded.
The truth is, it’s almost impossible to avoid stress in life – whether that stems from finances, relationships, or the general demands of our day to day. Content creation is also a career that requires consistent creativity, learning, and hard work, which is why dedicating time to pursue a personal hobby or downtime can help you feel more balanced (and feel inspired to produce interesting content too!).
While speaking with popular Model Sofia Rose last year on what helps keep her grounded, she told us:
“Meditation, Pilates, and I’ve just started to roller skate again. I love binge watching true crime shows and love live sports....and I’m currently reading, The Body Keeps The Score. Self-care and mental health days are a priority for me!”
In-person or on-the-phone time with your support systems
Whether it’s your significant other, best friend, parent, or one of Pornhub’s partnership programs like Pineapple Support or The Cupcake Girls who offer professional support for sex workers, it’s crucial to prioritize time with your support systems. This allows you to share your thoughts or work through any challenges you’re facing at home or at work.
Remember that life is never linear, and there will always be seasons we need more support than others. That’s why it’s so important to keep up with relationships you can rely on, so that you know you always have someone to talk to for a fresh outlook or sounding board.
For more resources, head over to our World Mental Health Day blog.
Create a self-care fund
It could be savings for a dream holiday. It could also be $10 to take yourself out for cake. Setting aside money for fun is an important part of self-care. It doesn’t matter how much or how little you put away each month; knowing you have something to spend on yourself completely guilt-free can be a nice thing to look forward to when you’re not working.
Think cocktails at a new restaurant, your favorite chips and dip for video game night, or that big purchase you’ve worked hard to make possible. As entrepreneurs, you don’t get paid time off or sick leave like many normie jobs, which is why it’s so important to treat yourself or take that dream vacation. You deserve it!
Give yourself grace
Content creation is a skill that can take time to hone and get comfortable with. Be patient with your growth and prioritize what’s important to you. If you struggle with work-life balance some days, try not to be too hard on yourself. Take a day to regroup — and experiment with some of these tips to get back on track and create the life you dream of.
As life coach and motivational speaker Mel Robbins said: “Knowing what you need to do to improve your life takes wisdom. Pushing yourself to do it takes courage.”
TL;DR How to Balance Work and Life as an Adult Content Creator
The benefits of work-life balance are undeniable, from improving your mental health to increasing your productivity and overall success. Whether you’re a seasoned Model on Pornhub or you only just created a Model Program account, we know it can be hard to juggle work and downtime in a way that feels sustainable.
Remain mindful that there are some seasons that require more work, less play, and vice versa. But by making it a priority to take care of yourself with healthy boundaries, life and work can feel a lot easier to manage.
For more wellness advice and resources, you can also visit Pineapple Support or our Sexual Wellness Center.
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