The old saying goes that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. While this may hold true for many cam models who love the idea of meeting new people and working on their own schedule, there are still times when you may feel burnt out.
Burnout can happen to anyone, especially after what the world has been through over the last year and a half. Most working models know the feeling all too well. One minute you love your job and can't wait to perform for your fans, and the next, you're dragging yourself out of bed and forcing a smile on camera as you watch TikTok reels on the side to keep your sanity.
If you find yourself feeling tired or irritable during a shift, don't be afraid to take a break.
In a perfect world, you could escape to some sunny tropical paradise and sit on the beach sipping fruity cocktails every time you feel burnt out. Unfortunately, the way real life (and bills) are set up, that's not always an option. There are many things you can do to help yourself bounce back from burnout, however. Here are eight ways you can make yourself feel better right now.
TAKE A BREAK
If you find yourself feeling tired or irritable during a shift, don't be afraid to take a break. Recharge, get a snack, take the rest of the day off or whatever else you need to ease the stress. The last thing you want to do is sit in a cam room full of freeloaders when you're already in a bad mood. That can spell disaster for your own mental health and possibly alienate paying fans who happen to be in the room when you lose your cool. Everyone has a breaking point, so try your best to know what yours is and do whatever it takes to pull yourself back.
POWER OFF YOUR TECH
Working as a cam model means you spend all day in front of a screen, whether it's performing during a show, checking your social media accounts or shooting content. That much strain on your eyes can cause headaches and fatigue, which would put anyone in a bad mood. That's why it's important to step away from the devices for a few hours a day and give yourself a rest. Also, try to fight the urge to take your devices to bed with you. It's far too tempting to lie in bed scrolling Instagram for hours instead of doing what you should be doing, which is sleeping.
SEPARATE WORK SPACE AND PERSONAL SPACE
One of the biggest challenges of working from home is that you don't have a clear separation between your workplace and the place you live. That makes it a little too easy to keep thinking about work, even when you're on your downtime. If you have space, create a designated camming room and keep the door shut when you're not working. If you live in a smaller place, try getting a room separator or partition so you can block your camming equipment off from the rest of your living space. That way, there is a clear distinction between your work life and the rest of your life.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THINGS THAT BRING YOU JOY
Remember when Netflix sensation Marie Kondo said you should rid yourself of items that don't bring you joy? The same goes for your living and camming space. It's easy for your home to get cluttered when you have personal items, camera equipment, outfits, etc., all packed into the same area. All that clutter can make you feel trapped, so rid yourself of anything unnecessary to help your space feel more open. You want to be able to breathe, so if it doesn't serve a purpose or make you happy, get rid of it!
MEDITATE
It's easy to get overstimulated while you're busy stimulating other people, so steal a few minutes to meditate and give yourself some peace. Take that time to manifest things you want for the future, clear your head or sit there and think about nothing. Download a free meditation app if you need a little help powering yourself down, as that can help your focus and send you into a dreamlike state. It may sound silly to some, but seriously, you would be surprised how much better you feel even after just a 15-minute meditation session. Especially after a full day sitting in a cam room surrounded by loud music, constant pings and endless chatter.
PRIORITIZE HUMAN INTERACTION
This is a big one, especially since everyone has been stuck at home for the last 14 months. Now that COVID restrictions have eased in many parts of the world, take some time to (safely) meet up with friends and family you haven't seen in a while. If that's not possible, even something as simple as interacting with the barista at your local Starbucks can feel like a breath of fresh air after having nothing but virtual interactions for an extended period of time.
TAKE TIME OFF
Whatever you do, do not work seven days a week. Even people who love their jobs need a break to recharge. If you have time off, use it. If you have money set aside for that tropical vacation, use it. Life is too short not to make yourself a priority!
Jackie Backman is the content manager for Cams.com. She has been working in the industry for over 13 years and specializes in copywriting, beauty and social media management. Follow Jackie on Instagram at @beautychaoticofficial.
