Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
↑
2
↓
Miserable after my first day (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by lyricdanielle
Miserable after my first day
To start out, I have a huge, terrible history with anxiety and I sabotaged both of my previous jobs I’ve had for myself. I start out liking them, and then I convince myself more and more everyday that it’s too much and I end up quitting. I used to cry every morning before going into work, and it even put a strain on my long term relationship.
I’ve been getting help and this was supposed to be the job that I could handle because I’ve been feeling better. I love going to Starbucks so I thought it would be a great job for me. But I think I underestimated how incredibly stressful it would be. My first day I was there for a ridiculously long closing shift and I got out 40 minutes late and I was miserable. I almost cried multiple times during the shift and it was my first day ever.
The more things my trainer was explaining the more I just wanted to run out the door crying. It is so fast paced and i am really worried that I hate it so much on the first day. I should at least have a day where I’m excited right?
When I first got there they stuck me on the drive thru window and I had zero idea what to do. I didn’t know how to navigate the register and I was terrified. I had been there 10 minutes and then was taking everyone’s payment and giving them their drinks for over 2 hours. I had zero knowledge of anything except for what I knew from being a customer. Every now and then I would be trying to confirm someone’s order to them at the window (I didn’t take any orders yet) and I wouldn’t know what the abbreviation meant and I would just stumble like an idiot.
I made some practice lattes and such on the hot bar but I can’t imagine trying to make drinks quickly and not having to ask someone for help every 2 seconds, which would be so annoying with how busy we are. There’s not any other Starbucks in the area where I work so it’s always insanely busy.
I understand that this job has a learning curve but I spent most of the day not enjoying anything and just trying not to cry thinking about the next time I come in. I’m supposed to come in today just to do my modules on the computer and then leave but Sunday I’m supposed to come in for just as long of a closing shift and I’m worried I’m going to be handing more things that I can’t do.
It’s very complicated but I have to prove to myself that I can keep a job. I’m almost 22 and I really thought I was getting better and this was the job I was going to be able to handle. But everyone there seems stressed out of their god damned mind and I need something that won’t make me miserable. I was considering applying for other jobs before I even left my shift that day.
I know this is way too long and I’m rambling but here’s my question. I know this job has an incredibly steep learning curve, and you eventually get the hang of what you’re doing. But if everyone seems so stressed and I already struggle with so much should I try to apply for different jobs? I feel so sad and lost. I really thought I was going to love this job but I’m even terrified of being taught how to do the dishes and messing something up there. I just can’t see myself enjoying it with how fast paced and stressful it is. Everyone was open about how stressed they are and how much they cry and I already have struggled heavily with my mental health for years.
tl/dr: I already feel mentally and emotionally drained after day one, I can’t imagine enjoying the job with the fast paced never ending stress. Should I consider applying somewhere else?
To start out, I have a huge, terrible history with anxiety and I sabotaged both of my previous jobs I’ve had for myself. I start out liking them, and then I convince myself more and more everyday that it’s too much and I end up quitting. I used to cry every morning before going into work, and it even put a strain on my long term relationship.
I’ve been getting help and this was supposed to be the job that I could handle because I’ve been feeling better. I love going to Starbucks so I thought it would be a great job for me. But I think I underestimated how incredibly stressful it would be. My first day I was there for a ridiculously long closing shift and I got out 40 minutes late and I was miserable. I almost cried multiple times during the shift and it was my first day ever.
The more things my trainer was explaining the more I just wanted to run out the door crying. It is so fast paced and i am really worried that I hate it so much on the first day. I should at least have a day where I’m excited right?
When I first got there they stuck me on the drive thru window and I had zero idea what to do. I didn’t know how to navigate the register and I was terrified. I had been there 10 minutes and then was taking everyone’s payment and giving them their drinks for over 2 hours. I had zero knowledge of anything except for what I knew from being a customer. Every now and then I would be trying to confirm someone’s order to them at the window (I didn’t take any orders yet) and I wouldn’t know what the abbreviation meant and I would just stumble like an idiot.
I made some practice lattes and such on the hot bar but I can’t imagine trying to make drinks quickly and not having to ask someone for help every 2 seconds, which would be so annoying with how busy we are. There’s not any other Starbucks in the area where I work so it’s always insanely busy.
I understand that this job has a learning curve but I spent most of the day not enjoying anything and just trying not to cry thinking about the next time I come in. I’m supposed to come in today just to do my modules on the computer and then leave but Sunday I’m supposed to come in for just as long of a closing shift and I’m worried I’m going to be handing more things that I can’t do.
It’s very complicated but I have to prove to myself that I can keep a job. I’m almost 22 and I really thought I was getting better and this was the job I was going to be able to handle. But everyone there seems stressed out of their god damned mind and I need something that won’t make me miserable. I was considering applying for other jobs before I even left my shift that day.
I know this is way too long and I’m rambling but here’s my question. I know this job has an incredibly steep learning curve, and you eventually get the hang of what you’re doing. But if everyone seems so stressed and I already struggle with so much should I try to apply for different jobs? I feel so sad and lost. I really thought I was going to love this job but I’m even terrified of being taught how to do the dishes and messing something up there. I just can’t see myself enjoying it with how fast paced and stressful it is. Everyone was open about how stressed they are and how much they cry and I already have struggled heavily with my mental health for years.
tl/dr: I already feel mentally and emotionally drained after day one, I can’t imagine enjoying the job with the fast paced never ending stress. Should I consider applying somewhere else?
sparkytheboomman 5 points 2y ago
Hello! Sorry you hated your first day. While I think that one day is definitely not enough for you to figure out whether or not you like it there, a lot of the concerns you have are valid and it is a stressful job. Personally, once I got good at the job, I kinda enjoyed high-stress days a little bit (even while also hating them lol) because it felt good to be able to do it. Recently, however, the job has changed a lot. It’s hard to explain but it seems like everyone is experiencing this too—the energy is different between the amount of business we’re getting, the staffing we have to handle it, the attitudes of the customers, and the support (or lack thereof) we’re getting from the company. These may be temporary issues (they seem tied to COVID), but I can’t be sure. I have had somewhat similar experiences to you based on what you’ve shared with anxiety and past jobs and I’ve struggled with considering leaving starbucks for similar reasons. But it’s important to try and understand whether you’re having feelings or concerns because of your anxiety or because the job actually just isn’t right for you (and for other situations in life as well, not just jobs). If you want to try to stick to a job long term, that’s great. But don’t do it if it actually isn’t the right job for you lol. Remember, for example, that in the past you did like your jobs at first, and then eventually convinced yourself otherwise (so if you dont like starbucks at all even from the beginning, it may be different). If you think that a cafe environment is something you like, perhaps try applying to smaller cafes or similar spots near you that aren’t starbucks which is a fast food place run by a big corporation and does not have the same energy as a small coffee shop. That said, I do think there may be value to you in trying to stay just a little bit longer (like, at least a month? Depends on you and how bad it is). The first few days are always gonna be hard but you may find that you actually like it. For that to happen, you need to have an open mind to it, though, which is where recognizing the role of your anxiety in the way you feel there may be important. (All of this, of course, with the caveat that I don’t know you and therefore my ability to provide advice that is actually helpful to you is limited. No one will be able to answer your concerns better than yourself)
crob311 1 points 2y ago
Please don’t give up on it so quickly! It’s all very alarming and overwhelming at first but as time passes it all becomes second nature. You’ll learn to love the Pace and vibe of it all. I love coffee, hate crowds, and genuinely am fearful of most social situations. I love it there but it’s been a year. I love bar once I figured it out but even that look me months to learn. It’s a wonderful company and I’d say let a manager know your concerns and see if they can put you somewhere more your pace for now. Keep at it and if you need to chat hollar!
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.