I enjoyed my last job but it was stressful as hell. Maybe one day off a week. Whatever day off you were blessed with wasn’t guaranteed. Even when requesting a day off for an appointment my boss would respond asking what time I thought it would be over, And if I could come in after. I had to drop everything outside of work to keep that job. I thought it was what I wanted. The job itself was great as I love animals but I really wasn’t allowed to have a life outside of it.
When they let me go during my last two weeks I was initially devastated. I thought I wasn’t good enough but at the end of the day I did everything I needed to, Everything I could and it wasn’t enough.
I would wake up everyday hours before I needed to in a panic, Wondering what fresh hell awaited me that day. Not meeting daily sales goals? More turmoil with coworkers? An aggressive dog? Being told I need to stay from open to close because “We have no one else to ask”?
My current job is with everyone’s favorite coffee shop as a barista. I went from a retail manager to a barista. It may not sound like much, But they’ve shown me such kindness these past two months. I’ve gotten a time off request approved without any issue or any follow up questions as to why I needed it. I caught covid and was allowed to rest at home without a phone call at the end of each day to see if I am well enough to come in the following day! I finally have time to spend with my family, My dogs, And for the first time in a long time I have time for myself. I’ve started music lessons that I’ve had for months but never had the time outside of work to schedule. I’ve picked up old hobbies like long boarding and gaming that I stopped around two years ago when I started there.
I just want to say, Don’t sell yourself short. Don’t let these massive corporations or even small local mom and pop shops take advantage of you. No matter how long you’ve been with them. If you’re unhappy and have taken every possible option with co-workers or management to address it and have seen no change – Leave em. They do not care about you, Your emotional well being, or your personal life. You are more than just their employee, You are a human being who may hit hardships in life and you are worth so much more than they treat you.
I was scared to turn in my notice because CHANGE IS SCARY. But at the end of the day, I found a bangin’ job with some rad co-workers that I wouldn’t trade for the world.