Barista Story
Last week was the mark of my 3 year outa school life LOL. And yesterdays was my 2 year mark working in a coffee shop. Well technically, more than a year only. I worked as a barista and was absorb in a travel agency company for a year with the same management.
Pandemic happened and I'm back working in a coffee shop. So I'm going to share with you some of my experiences having a job as a customer service.
I never imagined myself working in an office wherein you have your own cubicle, you have your own computer and other stuff. I always imagined working in a customer service related work or anything that there is more personal interaction (face to face) activity. I kinda love personal interaction especially when dealing with different people. I graduated as Human Resource but never did I practice my profession.
I didn't apply for any job for bout a year. I wanted to feel the feeling of not being pressured in finding a job just because you're a fresh grad and all you need to do is to look for a decent job because somewhat that is how society works. I really wanted to disconnect with all the responsibility that I needed to face just because I'm at the phase of the "adult-life". I'm somewhat disappointed with myself after graduation. I don't know where my life is heading to, where am I suppose to do next, what kind of job do I really want. Can I even choose a job that I wanted. My mind was spinning, it was an endless battle of "what ifs". Everyday I'm tired like I didn't do anything but my body is so tired not only physically but mentally. I'm overthinking things and scenarios. I'm having anxiety so much anxiety that it drowned me. I was so low and down at that moment. Every time I wake up I feel afraid and I'm so lonely I can’t even tell my friends. Good thing I have my cousin who always accompany me every time I feel low (thanks to them and to some close friends).
I wake up and all I did was cry and I didn't know why. I'm struggling day by day. Asking help from the Man above was my weapon and my refuge. Even if I was at my dark place there is still a small amount of hope left in me. I always convinced myself that one day everything will make sense and everything will fall into place that I may find answers to my endless questions. Everything changed when my mom talked to me "Jonalyn, dli mani para amoa imong paningkamot para sa imong ugalingon raman na, atleast og wala nami maka ana mi nga naningkamot kas imong ugalingon. Dili sa tanan panahon naa ang mga taw nga imong ge saligan. Saliga imong ugalingon." That was the big shift and it hit me. It hit so hard that I cried and thank the Man above because my mom was right. All this time the only thing that I needed was right in front of me. I was so moved by what my mom told me, I was so motivated and inspired to do things that I need to do. I always sabotage myself, so many alibis just because I'm not yet ready to face what's really needed to be fixed. Maybe I didn't treat myself correctly that I victimized my own self. I poisoned my own mind with the wrong activities and wrong mindset. I didn't pay attention to the blessings I've been receiving. I was covered with clouds of doubts.
Fast forward today, I may not land the job that I desired but sure I landed to the job that is necessary for me. Being able to work is such an underrated blessing. I didn't see this coming to be a barista but it changed some parts of me, it brought so much new learnings it unfolded some skills that I didn't realize I can do. To serve people and clients a cup of coffee everyday was my motivation. It added to my purpose everyday. I always look forward to create latte arts, serve delicious coffee (both local and international) and to widen my understanding and knowledge in the coffee industry. Being able to learn this new knowledge and dive into this kind of work and industry was one of the things that I'm forever grateful for.
And above all, the people that I'm surrounded especially to the management I'm under. They taught me a lot of things that I needed to learn both work and life. They share a lot of new perspective not only in my work but in some aspect of life that I will always gonna carry throughout my journey.
It's been a while self, I congratulate you for always finding reason to go on, for creating the life that is meant for you, for looking the good things that brought you to beautiful moments. And above all, for trusting to the Man above and to the universe. For always trusting that the things that is meant for you will always gonna find you. There are so much things to unfold, experiences to learn and people to meet. Whoever people I will meet and whatever I will do in my life I hope it will always gonna align to my soul purpose.
