Starbucks Baristas: The daily grind
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at my wits end, i really need advice plus a grande rant (self.starbucksbaristas)
submitted by Rain-The-Alien
i have been working at starbucks since april of this year, and its been going good till my disabilities decided to make it a living hell once training ended, this post may be everywhere so sorry if its hard to follow, if it is let me know and ill try to explain things a bit more in comments
for starters so you can get the picture, i have adhd and ptsd, as well as anxiety, and my memory has been my enemy, i dont get really any hot bar time and when i do i know nothing basically since im not doing it consistently in order to remember, im constantly having to ask repeated questions cause i cant trust my memory enough to rely on it at times, not only that i have a hard time processing things so i take a second to process, especially on hot bar ill pause till i know what i need to do next
i would get panic attacks often and meltdowns over being overwhelmed often too, which now that im medicated for my adhd is under control
only issue now? i feel like my issues have left a bad impression, i constantly feel like each time i ask a question they are looking down on me harshly, if i make a mistake im looked down upon, i could go on, and this one coworker seems like they are very annoyed with me, which is now the new thing causing me panic attacks and breakdowns because idk what i did wrong so it triggers my ptsd almost every time i see them or need to talk with them
not only that, i cant be on full time or get more hours till i can do both bars more efficiently according to my manager, but i struggle so much with hot bar because i can barely remember things consistently, as well as struggle with speed, im looking into accommodations now to see if that can help because this job i feel the safest at and really dont want to quit, theyve done a lot already to try to help but they can only do so much and i hate to ask repeated questions all the time
so now to the question:
what accommodations should i look into for adhd and ptsd that has helped you? i was thinking of making and laminating a guide to bring to help maybe but idk if that will be approved or if it will get in the way, but i know i need a visual to help me remember
and any tips you have or things youve found have helped? i want to be reliable but its hard right now with my issues, and i really need those hours
for starters so you can get the picture, i have adhd and ptsd, as well as anxiety, and my memory has been my enemy, i dont get really any hot bar time and when i do i know nothing basically since im not doing it consistently in order to remember, im constantly having to ask repeated questions cause i cant trust my memory enough to rely on it at times, not only that i have a hard time processing things so i take a second to process, especially on hot bar ill pause till i know what i need to do next
i would get panic attacks often and meltdowns over being overwhelmed often too, which now that im medicated for my adhd is under control
only issue now? i feel like my issues have left a bad impression, i constantly feel like each time i ask a question they are looking down on me harshly, if i make a mistake im looked down upon, i could go on, and this one coworker seems like they are very annoyed with me, which is now the new thing causing me panic attacks and breakdowns because idk what i did wrong so it triggers my ptsd almost every time i see them or need to talk with them
not only that, i cant be on full time or get more hours till i can do both bars more efficiently according to my manager, but i struggle so much with hot bar because i can barely remember things consistently, as well as struggle with speed, im looking into accommodations now to see if that can help because this job i feel the safest at and really dont want to quit, theyve done a lot already to try to help but they can only do so much and i hate to ask repeated questions all the time
so now to the question:
what accommodations should i look into for adhd and ptsd that has helped you? i was thinking of making and laminating a guide to bring to help maybe but idk if that will be approved or if it will get in the way, but i know i need a visual to help me remember
and any tips you have or things youve found have helped? i want to be reliable but its hard right now with my issues, and i really need those hours
claretamazon 3 points 8m ago
I may be in the minority that I made it very clear to my SM that I had these issues with my ADHD and anxiety, and they actually listened. Kept an open line of communication with them, my shifts and my coworkers. It's helped some.
I wear ear loops when I'm on bar and it helps with the sensory overload. They're also worn under the headset. They don't fix everything but they're a big help now.
It hasn't stopped everything. One of my shifts and I are very tense with each other right now due to a shut down.
I wear ear loops when I'm on bar and it helps with the sensory overload. They're also worn under the headset. They don't fix everything but they're a big help now.
It hasn't stopped everything. One of my shifts and I are very tense with each other right now due to a shut down.
Rain-The-Alien [OP] 1 points 8m ago
ill def look into ear loops as i have been trying to find something to make noise less loud so thanks for the suggestion! and yeah ive been thinking of talking to my manager about my problems but im a little worried haha, though ill give it a shot
claretamazon 1 points 8m ago
It's a hit or miss being open about it. A prior job told me that I didn't have adhd because I didn't have the same symptoms as their neice did. After that I was singled out and I won't allow that to happen again.
Approach your SM calmly, that you're looking for help and that you want to be transparent about it. It should make you look better to them. If they give you shit, you can call partner resources or your DM. Or transfer.
Approach your SM calmly, that you're looking for help and that you want to be transparent about it. It should make you look better to them. If they give you shit, you can call partner resources or your DM. Or transfer.
My_UniqueThrowAway 2 points 8m ago
I can relate to a lot of this. Once I got comfortable and more confident, my anxiety calmed down but it took me quite a few months to get to a point where I wasn't feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and crying every day.
Since my second week I have carried a tiny little cheat sheet in my pocket every day. I whipped it out today to check myself while making a cappuccino. Another time for an Americano. I'm autistic with ADHD and my memory is terrible. I take medicine for my ADHD but I still have days (like today) where I feel like my brain is running slow and foggy and I don't trust it. Sometimes I'll go a week without having to check my cheat sheet. Sometimes I have to check it to make sure I'm building a hot latte correctly. It's always always in my pocket. It's about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. I keep it folded in half and used scotch tape to "laminate" it. It's very simple. It has each type of drink, sizes, pumps and shots for each size. For example the first thing on my sheet says HOT and is underlined. On the next line is T, G, V.
Under each size is the corresponding number for shots. Next line is the corresponding number for pumps. I hope that makes sense. I also use P for pumps and S for shots. My list has only the things we make the most of. So I have HOT, ICED, HOT MACCHIATO, ICED MACCHIATO, AMERICANO, CAPPUCCINO, SHAKEN ESPRESSO, FLAT WHITE, and I'm not sure what else off the top of my head. I think the back side has cold bar stuff. I put "ristretto" and "whole milk" out from the FLAT WHITE. A little note reminding me what drinks get blonde shots, which ones don't get whip, etc. It's the stuff we make the most and the variations for those drinks.
You're gonna be just fine I promise. Maybe ask your manager if they're ok with you using a small cheat sheet to reference. It could even be part of accomodations if need be. It's better to send a drink out that's made correctly thanks to your cheat sheet rather than one that is wrong and built on guesses. Also, the pausing and staring at a sticker and feeling like you forgot how to read or process information.... It gets better lol. I still do it on a lot of modified drinks and my brain just taps out and is like NOPE WE ARENT PROCESSING ANY NEW INFORMATION PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER 🤣 It will all get better I promise.
Since my second week I have carried a tiny little cheat sheet in my pocket every day. I whipped it out today to check myself while making a cappuccino. Another time for an Americano. I'm autistic with ADHD and my memory is terrible. I take medicine for my ADHD but I still have days (like today) where I feel like my brain is running slow and foggy and I don't trust it. Sometimes I'll go a week without having to check my cheat sheet. Sometimes I have to check it to make sure I'm building a hot latte correctly. It's always always in my pocket. It's about 8 inches long and 2 inches wide. I keep it folded in half and used scotch tape to "laminate" it. It's very simple. It has each type of drink, sizes, pumps and shots for each size. For example the first thing on my sheet says HOT and is underlined. On the next line is T, G, V.
Under each size is the corresponding number for shots. Next line is the corresponding number for pumps. I hope that makes sense. I also use P for pumps and S for shots. My list has only the things we make the most of. So I have HOT, ICED, HOT MACCHIATO, ICED MACCHIATO, AMERICANO, CAPPUCCINO, SHAKEN ESPRESSO, FLAT WHITE, and I'm not sure what else off the top of my head. I think the back side has cold bar stuff. I put "ristretto" and "whole milk" out from the FLAT WHITE. A little note reminding me what drinks get blonde shots, which ones don't get whip, etc. It's the stuff we make the most and the variations for those drinks.
You're gonna be just fine I promise. Maybe ask your manager if they're ok with you using a small cheat sheet to reference. It could even be part of accomodations if need be. It's better to send a drink out that's made correctly thanks to your cheat sheet rather than one that is wrong and built on guesses. Also, the pausing and staring at a sticker and feeling like you forgot how to read or process information.... It gets better lol. I still do it on a lot of modified drinks and my brain just taps out and is like NOPE WE ARENT PROCESSING ANY NEW INFORMATION PLEASE TRY AGAIN LATER 🤣 It will all get better I promise.
Rain-The-Alien [OP] 1 points 8m ago
lol that last bit is definitely how its been each time i get to bar, i would spend some time studying to try to remember and the day of that i get to practice hot bar my brain clocks out, but ill def try to make myself a little cheat sheet maybe similar to see if it helps! and thanks for the reassurance its def appreciated
mymelodywithaglock 1 points 8m ago
my kiosk has little cheat sheets and stickers posted everywhere !!! When my memory craps out i just have to take a quick peak to get my bearings. Having the frappuccino making sequence posted right next to the station saved me so many times than i can remember lol. I would ask your SM/ or DM if you guys can look into these cheat sheets, as i know the ones we have at my kiosk are starbucks official. Also! Please ask to take the recipe card book home , or you can look at drink builds on the app.
With this job i have to be very communicative of when i need my breaks . If i’m at my wits end, dropping shit, forgetting things, it’s time for me to sit down. Knowing your limits is so so important with this job, and communicating when you’ve had enough is just as important too. You’re not just a drink slave or a cleaning maid. You’re a barista, you have every right to be there just as everyone else. wishing you luck !!! 🫶🏻
With this job i have to be very communicative of when i need my breaks . If i’m at my wits end, dropping shit, forgetting things, it’s time for me to sit down. Knowing your limits is so so important with this job, and communicating when you’ve had enough is just as important too. You’re not just a drink slave or a cleaning maid. You’re a barista, you have every right to be there just as everyone else. wishing you luck !!! 🫶🏻
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