Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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Anxiety (please don’t judge 😩) (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by SSDGM-cool-cat
Who else struggles with severe work related anxiety on a regular basis? Yes I’m in therapy and take meds and do breathing exercises before work. This doesn’t happen every day, but some days before or during my shift I am so nauseous because of anxiety that I v*mit before or during work. Since I know I’m not sick, I always feel bad if/when I end up telling my manager because technically I have to go home. Anyone with the same issue? Do you hide it so you can finish you shift or are you honest about it and go home? I feel guilty because it’s mental illness and not physical but v*mit = biohazard in food service and I want to be honest. AHHHH 😩😩😩 Usually I tell but it seems like people don’t believe me or understand and it seems like a cop out when it def isn’t. Also I’m an SSV so calling out / having to leave is even more of an inconvenience to the team especially because there is only one other mod who could take over for me 😭
caligirlthrowaway104 57 points 8m ago
Starbucks literally gave me anxiety like no other job I’ve had. I ended up quitting. That job was unnecessarily stressful.
BiochemistChef 18 points 8m ago
I still have MAJOR issues when I get a text from a higher up or the "hey can you come by my office for a sec?"
It's been almost a year and literally every time it's "hey did you do temps yet?" Or "when is the next batch of chickens coming out???" Nothing major at all and it sti gets me because if sbux
It's been almost a year and literally every time it's "hey did you do temps yet?" Or "when is the next batch of chickens coming out???" Nothing major at all and it sti gets me because if sbux
caligirlthrowaway104 15 points 8m ago
Yes I totally get that! It’s so weird when I go in to get a coffee now as a customer because it like takes me back to the time that I worked there. I just think when I go “the siren can’t hurt me anymore. I’m free now.” Lol isn’t it crazy how a job can make you feel someway even when you don’t work there anymore?
BiochemistChef 11 points 8m ago
Bruh, sometimes I just walk into one and walk out because it feels weird not going into one and not knowing that one of eight launches for the year or whatever is happening.
The siren did teach me some tricks though. My second store taught me how to come into a team of a much lower caliber and raise it without them trying to get me fired. (Well there's one at my new job but their gripe is because I make more than them because I have more experience). They didn't enjoy the new SM and myself coaching them on the fact chai is 24hr on the counter and not 2 weeks...
The siren did teach me some tricks though. My second store taught me how to come into a team of a much lower caliber and raise it without them trying to get me fired. (Well there's one at my new job but their gripe is because I make more than them because I have more experience). They didn't enjoy the new SM and myself coaching them on the fact chai is 24hr on the counter and not 2 weeks...
caligirlthrowaway104 4 points 8m ago
Ya with things like the holiday launch I just go in and get this weird feeling of like “I know what you’re going through” but also “I’m glad it’s not me anymore” lol honestly it wasn’t even always just the job or customers but sometimes the people I worked with weren’t very nice and I think that played a factor in things for me too.
suneimi 2 points 8m ago
Please share your secret…
I’m a six year partner who worked at a reserve store before most of them were closed and I had to transfer to my current core store; I’m a coffee master and barista trainer, and I have a creative life outside of SBux that has drained away because of Siren stress. I also have PTSD and depression/anxiety from childhood and have had treatment on and off for years. At my very first store as a green bean I discovered a body in one of the bathrooms as soon as I started my shift - they had OD’d and were in there for hours because no one ever checked the bathrooms even to restock TP (and I had found drugs in there a couple weeks before and my SSV threw them away instead of writing an incident report). I don’t think I’ll ever fully get over the fact that someone died in there with staff walking by all morning (the bathroom was between the bar and back of house) and they could have been saved with medical intervention. I know it’s absolutely contributed to my anxiety over store standards. It’s not just one store - I’ve watched things changing with SBux and it’s dreadful… I joke now about the fact that the Siren is a mythological *monster* and we’ve all been lured in to our peril…
Anyway, I’m near a nervous breakdown because people at my current store seem to really dislike me for trying to coach and elevate to the actual standards. My SM (this is her first store/first year) even wrote me up for being “unprofessional” because people “feel bad” about the regular coaching, which is against SBux “mission and values”. They never back me up! I’ve tried talking to SSVs, and her (SM), and directly with partners…. I was recently scheduled to train five new hires and even partners from *other* stores - so obviously they know I know something about quality training, but as soon as training is over it’s like I’m supposed to STFU and just watch people settle into all the short cuts and neglect (bathrooms and drains not cleaned for several days at a time, FIFO regularly out of order, day dots inaccurate) - and now if I bring up any issues, management makes *me* fix it/clean it instead of tracking down and making others accountable, so I’m afraid to say anything at all anymore. They openly admit that folks aren’t doing their tasks but try to claim that it’s a one-off thing and we just need time to improve - but I’ve been hearing that for a whole year now. I’ve been wanting to transfer out but with the write-up I’m ineligible for the next six months.
I’ve honestly tried every way I can to pump up the team and get help from leadership, without appealing directly to customers to say something (which seems to be one of things my store responds to), but it’s all backfired to my detriment and I’m planning to quit. I just took a three week vacation and started to feel good again - two days after getting back to work I’m the store janitor, again (feels awful as the only store coffee master [other than the SM], to be doing all the cleaning instead of crafting). I’ve applied for ACA insurance since enrollment opened this month - if I qualify for a decent/affordable health plan, I’ll be hanging up the apron for good. But I feel like a failure, lol, after all these years.
I’m a six year partner who worked at a reserve store before most of them were closed and I had to transfer to my current core store; I’m a coffee master and barista trainer, and I have a creative life outside of SBux that has drained away because of Siren stress. I also have PTSD and depression/anxiety from childhood and have had treatment on and off for years. At my very first store as a green bean I discovered a body in one of the bathrooms as soon as I started my shift - they had OD’d and were in there for hours because no one ever checked the bathrooms even to restock TP (and I had found drugs in there a couple weeks before and my SSV threw them away instead of writing an incident report). I don’t think I’ll ever fully get over the fact that someone died in there with staff walking by all morning (the bathroom was between the bar and back of house) and they could have been saved with medical intervention. I know it’s absolutely contributed to my anxiety over store standards. It’s not just one store - I’ve watched things changing with SBux and it’s dreadful… I joke now about the fact that the Siren is a mythological *monster* and we’ve all been lured in to our peril…
Anyway, I’m near a nervous breakdown because people at my current store seem to really dislike me for trying to coach and elevate to the actual standards. My SM (this is her first store/first year) even wrote me up for being “unprofessional” because people “feel bad” about the regular coaching, which is against SBux “mission and values”. They never back me up! I’ve tried talking to SSVs, and her (SM), and directly with partners…. I was recently scheduled to train five new hires and even partners from *other* stores - so obviously they know I know something about quality training, but as soon as training is over it’s like I’m supposed to STFU and just watch people settle into all the short cuts and neglect (bathrooms and drains not cleaned for several days at a time, FIFO regularly out of order, day dots inaccurate) - and now if I bring up any issues, management makes *me* fix it/clean it instead of tracking down and making others accountable, so I’m afraid to say anything at all anymore. They openly admit that folks aren’t doing their tasks but try to claim that it’s a one-off thing and we just need time to improve - but I’ve been hearing that for a whole year now. I’ve been wanting to transfer out but with the write-up I’m ineligible for the next six months.
I’ve honestly tried every way I can to pump up the team and get help from leadership, without appealing directly to customers to say something (which seems to be one of things my store responds to), but it’s all backfired to my detriment and I’m planning to quit. I just took a three week vacation and started to feel good again - two days after getting back to work I’m the store janitor, again (feels awful as the only store coffee master [other than the SM], to be doing all the cleaning instead of crafting). I’ve applied for ACA insurance since enrollment opened this month - if I qualify for a decent/affordable health plan, I’ll be hanging up the apron for good. But I feel like a failure, lol, after all these years.
Brgnbo 43 points 8m ago
I would definitely step down until you’re in a better mental state to handle more responsibilities at work. Not in a negative way but being a barista is waaaayy less stressful than being a shift.
RosieHarlan 14 points 8m ago
You should step down to a barista
mymelodywithaglock 12 points 8m ago
You should work with your therapist for more grounding techniques for on the spot anxiety . These people saying you should step down but you don’t have to especially if you rely on that lil pay jump to pay bills. I almost know exactly when i’m gonna throw up (my mouth gets very salivating, i start hiccuping or burping and my stomach clench like i gotta go poop) so i can act accordingly. it does feel much better once you’ve gotten it out of ur system , maybe just try to contain it to before work and keep mouth rinse and stuff on hand ?
Malachite_Migranes 9 points 8m ago
This is exactly why I had to quit Starbucks and move to a more relaxed job. You’re not alone
meloscav 7 points 8m ago
If I start having nightmares where I’m at my job, I know it’s time to go (bonus if it’s a dream where my teeth fall out)
spookyboi13 7 points 8m ago
i currently am dealing w the after effects of a breakdown and im pretty sure im getting a write up for being a flake, so i feel. i feel like before this job i never had this much mood instability and stress. no matter how much therapy and meds i just feel like im at a bigger mental deficit than before :( sucks bc i love my team
Only_Lunch_6020 5 points 8m ago
yes. i’ve always had work anxiety but it got SIGNIFICANTLY worse after becoming a shift. being a shift especially is way more stressful than it needs to be
Imaginarybluntallday 4 points 8m ago
I understand this, and I’ll be honest sometimes I have to lie bc I know I can’t call out bc my store is pretty toxic about that. Today I literally ran off crying for two minutes while another SSV covered me bc I had two minor inconveniences happen during peak time; they really were nothing but back to back bro… it hurt… I know I’m one of the fastest bar peeps at my store and that we weren’t waiting on a drink in drive, but I still get stressed about it all the time bc I feel pressured by management to do so much so fast
Edit:spelling
Edit:spelling
Praxlyn 4 points 8m ago
Step down, make it easier on yourself & your team
MarkedByFerocity 4 points 8m ago
This seems really stressful for you. I'm so sorry. I would talk with a doctor or therapist about options for handling your workplace anxiety. There are things that can help. Anxiety is common with this job, but what you are describing is severe. I hope things get better for you soon.
I don't have the answer, but I do have a tip for calming your body down during anxiety attacks. Coldness tends to "reset" my brain. I don't really understand how it works, but it genuinely seems to make a difference. Putting a little ice on the back of my neck helps a bit. The thing that works best for me is this: Shake about 12 ounces of water with a big scoop of ice. Strain out all the ice. Chug the water as fast as you can. It will give you a brain freeze. Take a few deep breaths in a quiet place. It's so weird that this works for me, but it helps almost every time. I end up a little mentally fuzzy, but it's better than full-on panic mode.
I don't have the answer, but I do have a tip for calming your body down during anxiety attacks. Coldness tends to "reset" my brain. I don't really understand how it works, but it genuinely seems to make a difference. Putting a little ice on the back of my neck helps a bit. The thing that works best for me is this: Shake about 12 ounces of water with a big scoop of ice. Strain out all the ice. Chug the water as fast as you can. It will give you a brain freeze. Take a few deep breaths in a quiet place. It's so weird that this works for me, but it helps almost every time. I end up a little mentally fuzzy, but it's better than full-on panic mode.
Psychoegorl 4 points 8m ago
I’m just a barista but I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’m usually bar and with holiday season kicking our ass, I get really overwhelmed. In fact my last shift I had to leave 30 minutes early because I had a panic attack on bar and went to throw up in the bathroom. Thankfully my ssv and asm are very understanding and know this isn’t something in my control. A mental illness is an illness of the brain, it’s important to treat it as such rather than push it off. Remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself some much needed rest and find good coping methods that work for you. If you do feel you need to step down, don’t think of anyone but yourself. Starbucks has been okay before you got there and will be after you’re gone, don’t sweat too much over some coffee 😊
nanobyte55 3 points 8m ago
The anxiety issues to the side for a moment, not work due to nausea/vomitting has nothing to do with biohazards. It id about food-born illness. You do not need to leave work. Just like if you exhibit respiratory symptoms with a history of allergies or muscle pain aftera work out. Same with nausea/vomitting in relation to pregnancy.
But it's a totally different story if you need to remove yourself from your stressor.
But it's a totally different story if you need to remove yourself from your stressor.
SSDGM-cool-cat [OP] 1 points 8m ago
My SM made me go home and said biohazard lol. Love mixed messages from management.
nanobyte55 1 points 8m ago
By that standard, no one would be able to take a crap at work!😂
originofsymmetries 2 points 8m ago
My anxiety used to be manageable before working for Sbux. I am now on anxiety meds.
GhostfaceJK 2 points 8m ago
yuppp. i get so nervous i can’t eat before my shift because i feel like i won’t be able to keep it down. i take usually clonazepam before my shifts in case i get put on main bar which is what stresses me out the most. i’ve just been kind of pushing through it because there’s nothing i can really do except keep working and trying to calm down during my breaks/slow periods.
SSDGM-cool-cat [OP] 1 points 8m ago
Oh yeah when I wake up heart racing (not every time but sometimes I just CANNOT) I take prescribed xanax
elz-belles 2 points 8m ago
I typically tell my management team I’ve thrown up because vom = health concern. This is apart of it being an anxiety disorder sadly; it impedes your ability to be able to work properly and as such, yes, you should be going home imo. I’d ask the doc for medicine to reduce nausea if possible, or maybe chew mint gum or something in secret while working. Best of luck. Anxiety gets better with time! ❤️
Edited to add I’m 27 and have had severe outstanding anxiety most of my life. I started working at 16 and STRUGGLED to speak to anyone, spent most of my shifts in the bathroom taking frequent social breaks, and throwing up. This behavior continued for me for probably six or seven more years before letting up- while I’m at work. I still get enough work related anxiety to throw up at home, but at that point I’ll just wash and sanitize my hands and go in. The confidence and absence of anxiety takes time. Go easy on yourself. ❤️
Edited to add I’m 27 and have had severe outstanding anxiety most of my life. I started working at 16 and STRUGGLED to speak to anyone, spent most of my shifts in the bathroom taking frequent social breaks, and throwing up. This behavior continued for me for probably six or seven more years before letting up- while I’m at work. I still get enough work related anxiety to throw up at home, but at that point I’ll just wash and sanitize my hands and go in. The confidence and absence of anxiety takes time. Go easy on yourself. ❤️
graylikesoap 2 points 8m ago
i have very severe ocd and anxiety which causes some pretty frequent nausea and vmting (gross sry). if i am sick at work i let the shift know, since i can never tell if i’m sick or just having a bad mental day ( i have an awful immune system??). there’s nothing i can do ab it🥲 i am on medicine and i have meds for nausea relief, but yk that stuff doesn’t always work. kinda in a bind w it but i’ve started doing some yoga and trying to focus my mind and relax before working and it’s started to help. my sm and shifts know ab my condition?
i won’t lie sometimes if i throw up and it’s over ik it’s my mental stuff i don’t tell them. i try to normally though bc i feel guilty😭. especially during holidays and it’s a hard shift every shift. it’s not easy
i won’t lie sometimes if i throw up and it’s over ik it’s my mental stuff i don’t tell them. i try to normally though bc i feel guilty😭. especially during holidays and it’s a hard shift every shift. it’s not easy
Realistic_Dreams333 2 points 8m ago
Its to the point i start shaking driving, at the light i turn at to get into Starbucks 😅
Deep_Mission_4998 1 points 8m ago
I deal with this too, but weirdly the anxiety has been lessened with working for Starbucks. My anxiety around going to work and socializing is OCD related, i am not in treatment or therapy atm, so I think just pushing myself to work through the anxiety and prove to myself it’s safe to do so helps me a lot. And also if I just have to go at 4am and don’t have much time to get anxious in the morning, that has been really helpful for me.
It also causes me to vomit sometimes. I’ve had one panic attack at Starbucks before and my coworkers were awesome about it. At my last job I always tried to hide it which caused it to build up and blow up in my face. I think being honest and transparent is hard and can be embarrassing but it’s worth it bc you can get the support you need.
I have zofran which I got from my GP, and some low strength anxiety meds. Doing breathing exercises, sipping ice water, and trying to stay grounded helps. Also reminding myself it is just a feeling, I’ve been through whatever is happening or worse and made it out fine, that I am safe and there is no danger. The anxiety isn’t the problem. Your response to it can be problematic tho. Obviously you can’t help if you vomit, but taking steps to prevent it from getting that far could be helpful and lessen your anxiety overall.
I hope things get better.
It also causes me to vomit sometimes. I’ve had one panic attack at Starbucks before and my coworkers were awesome about it. At my last job I always tried to hide it which caused it to build up and blow up in my face. I think being honest and transparent is hard and can be embarrassing but it’s worth it bc you can get the support you need.
I have zofran which I got from my GP, and some low strength anxiety meds. Doing breathing exercises, sipping ice water, and trying to stay grounded helps. Also reminding myself it is just a feeling, I’ve been through whatever is happening or worse and made it out fine, that I am safe and there is no danger. The anxiety isn’t the problem. Your response to it can be problematic tho. Obviously you can’t help if you vomit, but taking steps to prevent it from getting that far could be helpful and lessen your anxiety overall.
I hope things get better.
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