Did webcamming help your body image issues?

[Witchessleep]

I kind of assume for most that it did, but I'm interested in hearing other stories.

 

[SpookybunzSM]

It's a bit of a double edged sword.
On good days, you feel super sexy and confident
On bad days, you feel low and self conscious

After a while you see the trends and don't let it affect you as much;
But it can lead to a lot of self sabotage in the beginning of your career.

 

[Rhiannon Reye]

Honestly, it has made it 1000x worse. I am even more hyper focused on my body, more than ever. I’ve also had an eating disorder for 10+ years and since I restarted my sex work career a year ago, I have relapsed numerous times. Good day? I feel okay, but still can’t help thinking I would do better if I was thinner. Bad day? I engage in very self destructive ED behaviors. It’s why I have a hard time getting on cam these days and am trying to focus more on clips and phone sex.

 

[JyJy]

No, I keep comparing myself to others.

 

[exumpan]

It's a bit of a double edged sword.
On good days, you feel super sexy and confident
On bad days, you feel low and self conscious

After a while you see the trends and don't let it affect you as much;
But it can lead to a lot of self sabotage in the beginning of your career.

Second that.

I feel like it becomes some kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy sometimes, cause when I'm feeling good about my body I usually do better shows and earn more naturally. When I feel self conscious it interrupts my flow all the time and that in turn makes my shows worse and makes me earn less.

Before I realized that I thought I made less because of my body not looking as nice, but its so important to not let that get into your head, cause I think that's rarely (most likely never) the case. I think its mainly because I'm focusing too much on my flaws those days and let that get in the way of having fun.

 

[Mintx]

Sometimes I am busy comparing myself to skinny models and wondering if I would do a lot better if I looked like them. I also stopped camming and clip making after weight gain and an influx of people calling me pig. Some days- it's easy to handle and brush off because I feel beautiful. But when I don't feel beautiful, it sticks into me and just digs. Which sucks but we're only human here, for now.

So, sometimes.

 

[Sterling Silverthorne]

For me, camming has really helped. I used to be extremely self-conscious and have very low self-esteem. But since I've started camming I've learned that people don't judge me like I do. The flaws I usually get so down about are my weight and my body hair (I have naturally high testosterone) and I actually found my niche as a chubby/bbw natural model once I learned that there are people out there that actually enjoy seeing me in all my lumpy hairy goodness. Of course, I have bad days like everyone else and I second that those days do affect my sales. Also, for me, when I earn less I feel worse, like it's my body's fault, but I know that isn't the case.

 

[SpookybunzSM]

Before I realized that I thought I made less because of my body not looking as nice, but its so important to not let that get into your head, cause I think that's rarely (most likely never) the case. I think its mainly because I'm focusing too much on my flaws those days and let that get in the way of having fun.

I used to do that too, and I still catch myself doing. Getting out of your head and focusing on entertaining the room is a must for sure!!
At one point I had a bit of an epiphany and realized that my flaws, my body and my personality make me money.
And they do for you (and everyone else in this thread), too! Like isn't that wild? The stuff we hate about ourselves are the things that bring our crowds to us, it's what makes us uniquely us.
I kind of found a confidence in it; because now if someone wants to shame any part of my body, I can wipe the tears away with the $$$$ I made off it. lol

This comes with accepting slow nights or periods can be out of your control, though. I think that's the thing that fuels most of those feelings.

 

[IsabellaSnow]

In ways yes it has helped body image issues. I'm aware that lots of men still find me attractive enough to want to pay to see me without clothes on. But I think it also means I'm far more bombarded with images of beautiful cam models with amazing bodies who are doing wayy better than me. I am aware that if my body was smaller I would be much more popular, and that camming is a shallow world. I think honestly the issue isn't camming itself, it's the social media, the seeing other girls, the taking photos and videos of yourself and not feeling like you measure up. I think it puts pressure on you, like you feel like you should be hotter because you make your money from looks. If you gain weight you can feel more like a failure.

I think just general things about body confidence have improved. I'm aware that men just like female naked bodies at unflattering angles and all. I'm aware men aren't as hard on women as we are on ourselves. So it's weird, because I know logically that I'm hot and that men like looking at me. But I don't think that changes how I feel about myself as a general rule.

 

[SpookybunzSM]

I think honestly the issue isn't camming itself, it's the social media, the seeing other girls, the taking photos and videos of yourself and not feeling like you measure up.

This is the literal reason I moved to Streamate, they don't allow promotion of other sites and it takes that burden off my back.
I really don't like using social media because of that.
It gives me really unhealthy expectations of money and what I "should" look like, ever since I've cut down the time I put into social media I'm much happier with myself and my income.

 

[Witchessleep]

Second that.

I feel like it becomes some kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy sometimes, cause when I'm feeling good about my body I usually do better shows and earn more naturally. When I feel self conscious it interrupts my flow all the time and that in turn makes my shows worse and makes me earn less.

Before I realized that I thought I made less because of my body not looking as nice, but its so important to not let that get into your head, cause I think that's rarely (most likely never) the case. I think its mainly because I'm focusing too much on my flaws those days and let that get in the way of having fun.

I always think there is someone out there who will like your body, but I have days where I just don't like my body so I don't know how someone else would. And it doesn't help when models on the front page have flat stomachs lol.

 

[Kiki Jane]

Yes, in a good and bad way. I realized I can be sexy fat. But, I also gained 40 lbs, which is bad for my health.

 

[AudriTwo]

Yes and no. Some days camming makes me feel like a hot sexy goddess. But most of the time I see myself as utter trash and ugly. I can have 50 gyus in my room telling me how perfect and gorgeous I am, and I won't believe it. I've had body issues since i was 13 and have been diagnosed for BDD. Camming can sometimes trigger it if I'm having a slow night, high anxiety, or just by looking myself on OBS.

The only thing that has helped my BDD is going regularly to a counselor and meditation.

 

[Siena]

This is my number one battle with becoming a cam model. My weight can jump 10lbs in a month and since I’m only 5’1 it really shows! I have an autoimmune problem that loves to randomly trash my skin, makes me swell and on fantastic days will literally bless me with a facial droop. Multiple abdominal surgeries have made my belly a war zone and that always leaves me a little self conscious.

That being said, I am still working on finding creative ways to hide my ‘surprise weird body ‘ days. It’s not always easy but I keep smiling and on the rough days I know I can change my position and draw the focus south!

 

[AudriTwo]

Multiple abdominal surgeries have made my belly a war zone and that always leaves me a little self conscious.

a waist/belt corset might be a good idea. it would looks super hot with your glam style.

https://www.amazon.com/TopTie-7-Inch-Wide-Corset-Waist/dp/B00IDYTKH4

 

[QuinnLane]

When I got into SW, I was just turned 18 and roughly 60kg, recently recovered from an eating disorder. I'm now roughly 102kg.. fat fetishes and such definitely allowed me to feel free-er and more open about my body, and encouraged me to eat more (though I still only average 1 meal a day)
Taking photos of myself that felt artsy or made me feel pretty, definitely helped my body image. For a while, when I was going through sexual repulsion, I was basing my attractiveness on how much I was earning. I've since gotten past that and am living my absolute best, most self-confident life. The people that I have met through SW and other models definitely had a hand in lifting me up too. Being in a community that showcases so many body types was exactly what I needed.

 

[Gia_Xo]

I think it has mostly helped. There are some really popular models on CB that do not have the "perfect body". And I think there's something to being 'real'. I don't necessarily feel pressure to look a certain way, which is refreshing.
That said, I wish I could afford a tummy tuck because of mom stomach lol. I work out a bit and have hard abs, but you'd never know by looking. So I am very self conscious about that and tend to wear bodysuits and look for things that cover that area
I wish I didn't have that holding me back, but it is what it is! And thankfully, we have a high-waisted trend going for now!

 

[Siena]

a waist/belt corset might be a good idea. it would looks super hot with your glam style.

https://www.amazon.com/TopTie-7-Inch-Wide-Corset-Waist/dp/B00IDYTKH4

I’ve started using those a lot more and it definitely helps in the confidence section I’ve also found that Sally Hansen “Airbrush Legs” helps hide some of my skin issues-as long as it’s applied conservatively I don’t look like I’m glowing too much!

 

[AlexaCrush]

It's helped me. I used to be a little self conscious of my itty bitty titties and my round face but since I started camming I have a lot more confidence in myself.

 

[justlittlebae]

Absolutely!
I began as this very shy, reserved girl... I wouldnt let anyone look at my bum face-on. Maybe it's a little bit of looking at other women, seeing that all sorts of bodies are beautiful... and also the feedback I would get from my followers. I began in 2014, had a kid in 2015.. so my body has changed a lot and Ive had to get used to it & find the attractiveness in myself. I have learned that truly, just because other people are also attractive, that does not mean that you are less attractive. I wouldnt say that I am not at all insecure but OOF am I different person than I was in 2014.

 

[Busymantm]

Even though I was 'in shape' I had a skewed view of my body before camming. After I started camming I've become much more self-confident and comfortable.

I've seen how thinking about how I'd appear on cam got me hyper-focused on things that just didn't matter. I worked a lot to avoid that behaviour last year and it paid off.

On those days I feel down about how I look, I'll just listen to the viewers excitement a bit more which then pulls me out (in my head it goes something like "ok, if all these people are excited and spending real money, then my body is fine as it is"). So, if hundreds of people are telling YOU that you are sexy, listen to them and not that negative voice in your head!

 

[ZeraEve]

It ABSOLUTELY DID. It's weird. I think back to when I first started camming and had horrible self esteem. I thought my pussy was weird looking. I kinda hated showing off. naked Now, I actually feel really good about myself. It's not about being complimented by the members all the time. It's more about literally staring at yourself for hours a day, haha. You just learn to accept what you look like and see the nice qualities you have. I also stopped feeling self conscious about my pussy. And learned that my ass is amazing.

Also cam has taught me when I do have bad self image days, its fine cuz I'm still log on a make money

 

[PeachyNeko]

Camming has been amazing for me in this sense.

I started camming when I saw an ad and literally thought "I have big tits, i could do that" and ended up drowning in research. But I've always had a million insecurities about my body -- my tits being one honestly, my chub, my boyish face (recently accepted my gender fluidity and stopped forcing myself to be feminine (off cam) though lol), and of course the fact that I don't shave. anything. My skin is hyper sensitive, and I gave up shaving about 3 years ago.

Camming has shown me that.. well there's guys out there that love ALL these things that I see as flaws. I get complimented on my tummy, my bush, my body hair, my smile, my cute face, my laugh. And it doesn't erase my issues, but it definitely eases them some days.

I also lost my job shortly after I started camming. I had a slew of shitty jobs this year, after moving back to my hometown after 2 years. Getting fired was the cherry on the shitty job cake, and I felt like absolute shit, thinking I was worthless.

Camming also helped raise me up from that. Not just cause of money, but because I had people coming in and respecting me, complimenting me, and just generally helping me feel better.

Couldn't be more grateful in this sense

 

[Beawaresweety]

Hi here! It's a great topic. So there is my story: I've got a Vitiligo (you can google it). My skin is white enough so it's not so noticeable. My face wasn't touched by this disease but body was. I have these blemishes in a different parts of my body (breasts, hips, even around the anus area! Sorry for mentioning that but I'm trying to make it pretty clear). So it was really difficult for me to deal with it. I had been worried about my appearance when I'm naked, showing lady parts (especially close-up) and etc. But then I figured out that... nobody cares. Like, actually. Nobody gives a fuck. Maybe I've met too nice people but no one has ever mentioned or asked about it! So camming really helped me to feel more confident and to care about my body issues much less than before.

 

[Deleted member 35180]

I'd have to say in total, no. If we're counting our faces as part of our bodies, that's become a big issue for me since camming. I have dropped quite a bit of money on botox and fillers (and fainted during the process once), and I am signed up for a nose job, a chin implant, and breast enhancement. (I also had laser eye surgery, but that was as much as because I hated the way I looked in glasses as I hated the time hassle of putting in contacts) I'm also considering getting like a butt implant or lift <---- see that photo? they photoshopped the crap out of me. No one naturally looks like that. Also also I've considered coolsculpting on most of my body but have been able to get my weight down low with some pretty obsessive diet and exercise. I haven't had a massive eating disorder flareup as far as the worst behaviours go, because now I know better, (I used to starve a lot, then binge, and get stuck in a cycle.. throw in excessive exercise and winding up with fibromyalgia as a result), but I've certainly relapsed on the thoughts and feelings aspect, and added some serious hatred of my natural face as well. That came from looking through photos after photoshoots, and from hearing what the people in the MFC lounge had to say. I always had slight insecurities, but now I am obsessed with getting them fixed and saving up for plastic surgery.

 

[Dusty_Sparks]

SpookybunzSM hit the nail on the head.

Here's my feeling: I have a body. We all have a body. It's merely a vessel. My confidence took a huge dip when my "new" tag wore off and my room count, token stats, and cam score dropped.

I would say that my body image remains unaffected NOW, but I have become so much more mentally strong. There is so much more to you beautiful ladies than what meets the eye. If you are struggling with self-confidence as a newbie like I have, remember that your camscore isn't a reflection of your worth. The members just don't know who you are yet. Let that stunning personality of yours shine! I know it's going to take time for me to build up to some sort of success and I had a VERY rough week emotionally right off the bat. Overcoming that has been one of the most valuable and toughest lessons I've ever had to learn.

My main self confidence issues mainly involve my face though, instead of my body so much and always have.

 

[OliviaClarke]

I kind of assume for most that it did, but I'm interested in hearing other stories.

So far yes! I used to be quiet and shy, camming has helped me there. And that growth out of shyness has led to so much confidence with my body. I love knowing other people think I'm sexy.

It has dampened my overall confidence. I feel so focused on making the customer happy that I feel anxious during privates a lot. I hope that changes someday, I feel awkward and don't know what to say when that anxiety sets in

 

[Val Vega]

Porn has been immensely negative for my body image. Constantly being assaulted with images of my own body and face that I despise along with constantly seeing images of people's bodies I am jealous of just reeks havoc. It isn't a positive experience at all, so I try to distance myself from it as much as possible when and where I can.

 

[sexyvanessa4u]

Camming has helped my body image. I used to dance in strip clubs and strip clubs have a much narrower view of beauty than the camming world does. In camming, you'll see girls of all races, ages, and sizes bank. Although some strip clubs hire a wide variety of women, the more upscale clubs typically prefer the Barbie doll or Playboy Playmate look-white, blonde, thin, implants, tanned, with few or no tattoos. I've worked in clubs where I was put on "weight probation" (I had to lose weight or I'd be fired), and at the time I was about 20-30 pounds thinner than I am now-definitely not overweight. At some clubs, all tattoos had to be covered, no unnatural hair colors were allowed, and no piercings other than your ears and navel were allowed. I felt like I was walking on eggshells in super strict clubs, and I couldn't relax and enjoy pizza or ice cream for fear of gaining weight and losing my job.

I get far more rude comments on cam sites than I did working in strip clubs, but that's because people are anonymous on the Internet and say things that they would never have the balls to say to a person's face. A lot of the time, these people are broke assholes who just enjoy getting a reaction out of you. The key is just to not take it personally-quietly ban the assholes and don't let them bother you, because all camgirls get rude comments at some point.

 

[BadgirlIvy]

Yesss!! So much! For the longest time I was self conscious about my belly shape. I loved every part of me, except my lower belly pooch. After starting camming, I have a whole new outlook!! I loooove my belly and a lot of people compliment me on it.
I know a lot of girls who really grew into themselves and felt happier in their own skin after camming.