As a former sex worker, I would agree with all of this. I would also add that a lot of women who get into sex work initially are young and are suddenly making giant wads of cash for the first time in their lives. It's really easy to spend that unwisely, and to slide into a party lifestyle because (a) you have tons of money to spend on going out to clubs, doing drugs, whatever, and (b) without that outside anchor, you're likely to mainly draw your friend pool from your fellow sex workers, and if everyone's young, party-oriented, and a bit irresponsible, it can all spiral out of control pretty quickly. I hate to feed into that whole "sex workers are all drug addicts," because that's patently untrue, but for those who are or who have that potential, the cash-steeped, night-oriented world of sex work can be a trigger.

Actually, this is great advice for just about everyone: I'm not a sex worker but there's a pretty strong dichotomy between my work and home life and you're right, it's keeping a structure going that helps maintain sanity. Particularly true for freelance workers in any industry. Great column!

I have two roommates, both are musicians, and one of them totally falls into that self-regimented column and well the second one, well he REALLY needs to read this article!

After this column and the video on your blog about how to talk to/confront people I feel like the house may be ready to talk to him about his 'artistic' behavior.

Thank you!

Great column! Something similar holds true for artistic work, writing in particular, where you have - on the contrary - little outside activities and are prone to sink into that fictional world you're creating. Never to surface again to do the dishes or other mundane stuff.

As a writer I know and Mistress Matisse's articles which carry that self-reliant, structured vibe have always served to remind me of the necessity to get in control of the rather uncharted territory my way of life is.

So thanks a lot!

Perhaps your best column ever Matisse. Well written, succinct, and right on point. Together with your last column (where I personally have the causal arrow pointing the other way) that makes you two for two.

you should write a book about this; i'm pretty sure the canon lacks a practical guide to staying sane amidst a career in the industry (not counting "going pro"), and that void needs to be filled. can i have a 10 page version to hang up everywhere in my club's dressing room? kthx ;-)

I have also dabbed in that field and just like any job, you need to be able to have time to yourself and do things that need to be done. In addition, if you also have clients that are violent or do not care about your safety, then I could also imagine why some workers go a bit nuts. You aren't exactly working under the best conditions and there isn't anyone around to regulate the rules.

Time management is a skill one should learn by the time high school is over. I couldn't have made it successfully through college or any other endeavor without. Discipline is important; personal responsibility is part of the solution for the mess the world is in. This article speaks to the times perfectly.

I think I've read every Control Tower, and I'd have to say this is the best one yet. Keep it up!

this actually isn't a horrible article, but wouldn't it be more appropriate as a blog entry? For a kink column, this one has a distinct lack of talk about kink, ever.

Dirtytime...

Here's a clue: those of us who live in that world know that the two basic points of Matisse's article above - staying grounded and having self discipline - are key to being able to have a successful kinky life.

It ain't all about pushing a needle through a nipple - sometimes it's about picking up the dirty laundry or having a set schedule for changing the kitty litter.

I recommended this particular column at a recent cartoonists' award banquet. When it comes to the creative, self-guided, self-motivated freelance business life, if we read this column, we don't need the how-to books. You've said it all.

... And you're just the epitome of mental health, I take it.

Sex workers are saving the world. Or at least my world. You all rock.Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Sydvic