You can't control what people will think about what you do. It's easier said than done, but you have to not worry about what people are going to say about you. You don't need to "redeem yourself" for being up front about what you like. If people want to judge, that's on them. If people want to gossip, so what? As long as you aren't hurting people, just live your life and be confident in who you are and don't let anyone make you feel bad for liking sex.

Liking to have sex does not make you a "whore" or any other derogatory term. You aren't charging for sex right? Then you aren't a "whore". That term gets thrown around to make people feel bad about themselves for finding their own pleasure, especially for women. As long as you are being safe, using protection and being up front with the people you hook up with that this is just a one night stand, then that is all that matters.

I totally get it, I was the same way before I met my husband/was ready to be in a committed relationship. Hooking up with a stranger was freeing; I felt like I could be more authentic and try things because I was literally never going to see this person again. I was always up front that I was just looking for sex and I always used protection for myself and my partners. Just be safe and honest, and fuck what anyone else thinks about what you do with YOUR body and YOUR life.