More Than a Job: Finding Creativity and Freedom in My Work
- victoriaroselondon
- Jan 27
- 3 min read
What Do I Do?
When people first ask me what I do, my usual answer is tied to how I make a living. Depending on the audience and my mood, I might just say, “I’m a sex worker.” Sometimes it’s to keep things simple; other times, I’m curious about the reaction.
I’m not ashamed of my work- far from it. This job has given me a life I didn’t think was possible growing up. I’d resigned myself to living paycheque to paycheque, scraping by like my parents did. But that’s not how things turned out, and I’m proud of that.
That said, sex work isn’t my whole identity. I try not to let it define me, though the stigma often tries to do that for me. Like most jobs, it has its ups and downs. Some days are brilliant; others, not so much.
But if I’m being honest, what I should tell people when they ask is: “I am an artist. I am a creative.”
The Creative Side of Sex Work
To me, being an artist means creating something meaningful- whether it’s for the world, my community, or myself. Creativity has always been where I thrive. Whether it’s developing a new burlesque act, designing a costume, producing a show, or planning a holiday, I’ve always loved making things happen.
So many of my colleagues in the industry are also artists, using sex work to fund their passions. For working-class artists today, this kind of hustle is common. Some juggle multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet while pursuing their creative projects. Sex work has given me, and others, the flexibility and freedom to focus on what we love.
Sex workers tend to be some of the most open-minded people I’ve met. The nature of the job breaks down barriers quickly, and conversations often go straight to personal, deep topics without judgement. When you combine that openness with the creativity of an artist, you get a group of people who know how to make things happen- whether it’s funding projects, building connections, or travelling to collaborate with others.
Losing and Finding My Spark
Like many others, the pandemic took a toll on my creativity. Stress made it hard to focus on anything other than paying the bills, so I took a break from burlesque and producing to focus on survival. What I’ve learned since then is that rest is essential. Without it, creativity can’t thrive.
A 10-week trip around South East Asia in 2024 changed everything. Once the stress of London life left my body, ideas came flooding back. Recently, after a two-week trip to Mexico where I did almost nothing (sat on beach with a margarita in hand), I found the space to finish two books, rebrand myself, plan social media strategies for two businesses, cast a show, and start a podcast.
Travel and rest taught me that downtime isn’t a luxury- it’s a necessity.
Looking Ahead
Sex work has given me the means to fund my art, travel, and live the life I always dreamed of. I don’t take that for granted. This year feels full of promise. I’ve been working towards so many goals, and I can’t wait to see them come to life- not just for myself, but for the people I work with and the communities I’m part of.
What’s next? We’ll see. But for the first time in a long time, I’m ready for it.
